]0 June, 1918.] Apple Culture in Victoria. 355 



APPLE CULTURE IN VICTORIA. 



(Continued from page 213.) 



By J. Farrell, Orchard Supervisor. 

 Ireigation. 



The splendid results in fruit obtained in Victoria, and in other 

 States of the Commonwealth, from the judicious application of water 

 to orchard lands during the periods of the trees' growth, as well as 

 those effected in other countries in which comparatively dry and warm 

 climatic conditions similar to ours obtain, have so conclusively demon- 

 strated the advantages of irrigation that the further advocacy of this 

 practice would seem unnecessary. N"evertheless, there are still many 

 districts in this State suitable for channel irrigation schemes which, 

 notwithstanding the considerable sums of money required for their con- 

 struction, could be established with incalculable advantages to our 

 producers, and would prove a sound investment for the State. But 

 even without this extension of the Government's irrigation schemes, 

 apple production would be greatly increased if the dam system of irriga- 

 tion employed by some of the fruit-growers in the undulating districts of 

 central and southern Victoria were in more general use. 



The dry, warm conditions experienced here during summer cause 

 excessive evaporation from orchard land, and transpiration from the 

 fruit trees, and thus quickly depletes the soil of the moisture accumu- 

 lated during the previous winter. Owing to our comparatively light 

 summer rainfall being usually insufficient to replenish these losses, irri- 

 gation is essential if the best results are to be attained. 



Knowing that the trees absorb, in a state of solution, their food from 

 the ground, it is obvious that the soil ai'ound the feeding roots should 

 be kept sufficiently moist to maintain the solution during the vegetative 

 periods, in order that the trees may be enabled to make good grow+Ji, 

 fruit satisfactorily, and develop their fruit buds for the succeeding 

 year. 



Owing to the fluctuations of temperature and variations in the quan- 

 tity and frequency of our summer rains, the quantity of water to be 

 used, and the number of waterings to be applied to keep the soil in the 

 necessarily moist condition, cannot be definitely fixed. However, the 

 new settler commencing operations in a fruit-growing, irrigation centre, 

 with the assistance of the departmental experts, by association with 

 local irrigationists and by intelligent application to his work, should 

 soon become acquainted with the principles governing the artificial 

 application of water to the soil. When he thoroughly understands the 

 climatic influences on the soil, the advantages of watering, cultivation, 

 and the main requirements of his trees, irrigation, which, at first 

 usually appears intricate, resolves itself into a rather simple proposi- 

 tion, provided good drainage exists, and that the soil be friable, and of 

 a character amenable to general cultural treatment. 



The rich friable chocolate soils occupying the pine ridge portions of 

 the northern districts offer ideal natural advantages for irrigation, as 

 they mostly overlie permeable clay subsoils which offer good natural 

 drainage. Whereas, on other areas in close proximity to the ridges, 



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