238 Bulletin 37. 



7. The orchard remained in excellent condition throughout 

 the summer of 1899, making a vigorous growth and bearing a 

 heavy crop of fruit of superior quality. 



8. During the second year of the experiment the orchard 

 received three feet of water from December 16 to March 5, 1900. 

 Following the irrigation, the orchard was plowed about a foot 

 deep; by thorough cultivation, a mulch of 6 to 8 inches of loose 

 soil was maintained throughout the summer. 



9. The weather of the eight months following March 5, 

 1900, during which the orchard received no water, was Aery try- 

 ing upon all vegetation, the rainfall being considerably below the 

 average, the relative humidity below (part of the time very much 

 below) the normal, and the temperature above the normal. 



10. The condition of the orchard at the end of this trying 

 season of 1900 was most excellent, the trees having made a 

 vigorous growth, and at no time having shown the effects of the 

 drought. 



11. During the third year of the experiment a green- 

 manuring crop of clover was grown in the experimental orchard 

 (as had been done in the other orchards of the farm for two pre- 

 vious years), and four feet of water applied from November 6 to 

 March 29. A heavy crop of clover was turned under April 6, 

 1901. 



12. The excellent condition of the winter-irrigated and 

 summer-cultivated orchard at the end of trying seasons was due 

 to the fact that by this treatment a maximum amount of the irrig- 

 ating water is stored in the soil and returns through the trees, 

 due to the more abundant supply of water during winter, to com- 

 paratively slow evaporation while the water is being applied, and 

 to efficacy of the surface earth-mulch that can be maintained 

 throughout the summer. 



13. The water of summer irrigations, upon account of the 

 insufficient supply and rapid evaporation, does not ordinarily 

 reach deep-seated roots and return through the trees, but irriga- 

 tions cause a baking of the surface and a growth of weeds that 

 make extra cultivation necessary. 



