ADEQUATE MOISTURE FOR NURSERY TREES 59 



from becoming too densely packed by heavy rains, but the ground 

 should never be worked when too wet. It requires some watchful- 

 ness 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 some 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 

 undesirable. Water is a good thing, and in some cases a very neces- 

 sary 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 

 running it through shallow furrows between the rows, and the culti- 

 vator should follow as soon as the ground is dry enough to work 

 freely. 



