15 Oct., 1919.] Pear Growing in Victoria. 589 



For instance, the physical nature of soil and subsoil, the general contour 

 of the land, existing natural water-courses, slopes, whether steep or 

 gradual, and the length of some, will necessarily have a direct bearing 

 on the system to be adopted. 



One of the most difficult obstacles to overcome, and one which chiefly 

 presents itself in the level country of some of the northern irrigation 

 districts in Victoria is a proper outlet for the drainage water. In such 

 places, owing to the flat nature of the country, which does not vary for 

 miles around, it is almost impossible to get the water from drains away 

 by natural gravitation. In such places, the sinking of wells as outlets 

 for the drains seems to be the only way to permit it to pass off, and then 

 by means of a windmill or other mechanical means it may be pumped 

 back again on to the land. It is fortunate that the pear tree, in com- 

 parison with most of other fruit trees, is better able to withstand excess 

 water lodgment in the soil, especially as these districts are so highly 

 suitable for the production of this fruit generally, and the earlier kinds 

 more particularly. But any means, such as drainage, which provide 

 better growing conditions for the pear, should be adopted, so that maxi- 

 mum results may be obtained. 



As, however, much of the fruit-growing land in Victoria highly 

 suitable for pear-growing is situated in undulating country, the problem 

 of draining the land by natural gravitation does not exist, for such 

 places generally offer a ready solution of any minor difficulty which 

 may present itself. 



In the plate No. 21, the drainage system of an orchard at Diamond 

 Creek, which the writer supervised, is shown. At first sight, the 

 arrangement will perhaps appear to be rather complex, owing to the 

 comprehensive nature of the scheme. The orchard site referred to in 

 the diagram is composed of a steep slope, gradual slopes, and flats with 

 a fairly large water-course running through the orchard, into which a 

 smaller one empties itself. There are also open-made ditches along the 

 boundary fences on the north and east sides of orchard, which cut off 

 the surface flow of water and seepage from the higher ground above 

 the ditches. 



It will be noticed that the drains on the steep slope are run diagonally 

 down the steep hillsides — a course generally advisable under such condi- 

 tions in order to prevent the silting up of drains. By placing the drains 

 in diagonal rows between the trees, the fall is made more gradual, and 

 the general working of the drains improved. In some cases, the water 

 movement in soil is lateral even on hillsides. This is caused by undula- 

 tions in the nature of the clay subsoil or some existing hard substratum, 

 the depressions being at right angles to the slope. Where such conditions 

 obtain on hillsides, it is easy to understand how essential is artificial 

 drainage. 



By running the drains vertically or obliquely down the hillsides, 

 any existing sluggish lateral water movement will be intercepted, as in 

 the diagram, and, as the case may require, the water flow diverted into itn 

 proper direction, and the formation of " pockets " for water prevented. 



It will be noticed, by referring to the diagram (plate No. 21), that 

 most of the drains are run through the flats, and open directly into the 

 open water-courses, which should always be adopted, where possible, 



