72 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



never be worked when too wet. It requires some watchfulness and 

 promptitude to use the cultivator just at the right time. 



Nursery Irrigation. In parts of the State where the rainfall is 

 adequate, cultivation thorough, the soil sufficiently retentive, and 

 atmospheric conditions favorable, the seedling will make its growth 

 without irrigation, and many nurseries are on ground not provided at 

 all with irrigation facilities. In other parts of the State irrigation is 

 necessary. Water should be applied sparingly, and yet enough to keep 

 the seedlings in healthy growing condition. This is shown by the 

 leaves, which should not droop or curl. Excessive irrigation should 

 be guarded against, because a soft, excessive growth is very undesir- 

 able. Water is a good thing, and in some cases a very necessary 

 thing, but the use of it should be wisely regulated. At budding it is 

 necessary that the sap should be free and the bark slip easily. To 

 foster this condition it is sometimes desirable to give a watering a few 

 days before budding commences. Water should be applied by run- 

 ning it through shallow furrows between the rows, and the cultivator 

 should follow as soon as the ground is dry enough to work freely. 



