312 Pedch-Gr owing 



The aim should be to moisten the soil thoroughly to the 

 desired depth. This will include the entire body of soil, 

 and the subsoil occupied by the roots, at least to the depth 

 of several feet. In some instances the roots may penetrate 

 to a greater depth than is usually the case. The grower 

 ought to trace from time to time some of the main roots of 

 typical trees as they increase in age in order that he may gain 

 positive knowledge as to just where they are placed. 



If while irrigating, the grower examines the soil frequently 

 in the same manner as suggested on an earlier page (page 309) 

 in determining when an application is necessary, he will be 

 able to determine also when the moisture conditions are such 

 as to call for turning off the water. It is as unsafe to be 

 guided by the appearance of the surface at this time as it is 

 to take the surface conditions for an index as to when water 

 should be applied. 



As soon as the soil can be worked following an irrigation, 

 if it is clean tilled, as is the case with most peach orchards, 

 it should be given a thorough cultivation to conserve the 

 moisture. This should be repeated as often as conditions 

 justify. Irrigation should be considered in no sense as a 

 substitute for tillage so far as soil-moisture conservation is 

 concerned. The grower who attempts to make this sub- 

 stitution is likely to have serious soil troubles from excessive 

 irrigation. Excessive irrigation is also doubtless largely 

 responsible for various other troubles that are not known to 

 the grower in humid regions. Too much water is perhaps 

 more objectionable than not quite enough, and where irri- 

 gated land is poorly drained serious soil troubles are likely 

 to occur. 



