HINTS ON IRRIGATION 187 



RANDOM SUGGESTIONS 



Without attempting an impossible thing, to-wit, to furnish explicit 

 directions for the practice of irrigation, for much of it every man must 

 learn for himself by experience, a few suggestions may be noted, even 

 though more important ones do not come to mind. 



Usually water should be prevented from actual contact with the 

 trunk of the tree. Citrus trees are especially sensitive to 'such contact, 

 and resent it by "gum disease," which was formerly far more preva- 

 lent in the State than now. Care must, therefore, be taken not to set 

 trees which are to be irrigated, too low. It is better to raise them up 

 a little and draw the earth up around them to prevent approach of 

 the water, but this must not be overdone. 



If possible, the ditch should be run on the shady side of the tree, 

 because reflected sunshine from the water surface may burn the bark. 



In examining soil to ascertain dryness, one must dig deeply, for 

 often an upper layer will be fairly moist, if well cultivated, while lower 

 layers, where the feeding rootlets are, will be arid. Therefore, when 

 trees, or vines are suffering, dig far down in examining the soil. 



In irrigating, thorough, deep soaking is necessary, and examination 

 must be made to see if an artificial hardpan which prevents the descent 

 of the water has been formed. 



Be careful not to continue irrigation too late in the season. It will 

 prevent the proper dormancy of deciduous trees, and if more fall 

 irrigation is given citrus trees than they need for perfecting the fruit, 

 the trees will continue growing tender shoots until they are injured 

 by severe frosts. On the other hand, it is often desirable to give decid- 

 uous trees a draft of water after the fruit has been gathered, if the soil 

 is so dry that the tree is likely to drop its leaves too soon, and wake 

 from its dormancy with the first rains. Many times the fall blooming 

 of deciduous trees, which is very undesirable, may be prevented by 

 keeping them growing later in the summer by moderate irrigation. 



If trees or vines, in regions usually irrigated, are to be grown 

 without irrigation, it is important that the grower be more than usually 

 thorough and constant with his summer cultivation. In trying the 

 non-irrigation experiment, one should, of course, begin with young 

 trees which have not been irrigated, and not usually expect success 

 by withdrawing the water from trees which have been accustomed to 

 it, and have developed a root system accordingly. 



While waiting for an "irrigating system," young trees can be kept 

 going with a water wagon. With a galvanized tank on a wagon three 

 men went over a 60-acre orchard three times, taking four days for each 

 irrigation, each day's expense being less than $10. This made twelve 

 days, or $120, or $2 per acre. One man went ahead to scoop out 

 around each tree, and after the water was put on he covered it up, 

 to keep the soil loose and prevent loss by evaporation. He could keep 

 ahead because of the loss of time of the team going after water and 

 returning. From the tank ran two large hose, the water being siphoned 

 off at the basin near each tree till about four or five gallons of water 

 were put on. Then the hose was bent back so the water could not flow 

 out, and they advanced to the next tree. 



