356 



Journal of Agriculture, Victr 



|]0 June, 1918. 



unfavorable conditions are often experienced. In the latter ease the 

 surface soils are of almost similar character to the former, but overlying 

 impervious clays, are consequently not so suitable for irrigation on 

 account of bad drainage. This condition, however, is usually rectified 

 by the introduction of a system of sub-drainage. 



Whether working under the former and more favorable conditions, 

 or when he has overcome the difficulties in the case of the latter, the 

 settler should make judicious use of the water, both in respect to quan- 

 tity and number of applications, according to the requirements of his 

 trees, and consistent with the regulations governing its supply. 



The Channel System of Ikkkjation. 

 Our channel system of irrigation consists of a dam or weir placed 

 across a river or other water course, causing the water to become 

 banked up, and, at the higher level, deflected through a suitably placed 



Plate 164.— A View of the Goulburn Weir. 



delivery duct into a main articulation chaniud in which it is carried to 

 the irrigation settlement. Having reached this point the water is 

 diverted at suitable levels into the necessary number of smaller channels 

 which, in turn, supply the individual orchard areas. 



The State Rivers and Water Supply Commission controls our irri- 

 gation systems. The officers of the Department of Agriculture and 

 Closer Settlement Board, &c., working in co-operation and harmouv 

 with those of the Commission have been successful in establishing irri- 

 gation settlement on sound and permanent lines. 



From a study of the following illustrations depicting the weir, main 

 articulation channels, smaller supply channels, and the furrow mode of 

 applying the water, the reader will be enabled to gain a fairly compre- 



