J7Q CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



there is much land to go over, as some of it is certain to get too dry before 

 it can be reached, and then it will not pulverize well. All trees should be 

 worked around by hand with either a fork or hoe, as soon after irrigation 

 as the ground becomes dry enough and before it becomes hard. 



Specifications for Homemade Implements for the Check System. 

 The following implements, used in preparing the ground for irri- 

 gation by the check system, were made on the fruit ranch of J. B. 

 Neff, Anaheim, California, with the tools ordinarily found on a 

 ranch, and with but little help from the blacksmith: 



The Ridger. This has sides of 2 by 16-inch pine 7 feet long, 

 standing 18 inches apart at the rear and 5 feet apart at the front 

 end. The sides may be made of 2 by 8-inch pieces with 2 by 3-inch 

 battens bolted on securely. The front crossbar is 2 by 4-inch pine 

 6 feet 2 inches long, and is set 20 inches from the end. The rear 

 crossbar is of 2 by 4-inch pine 4 feet 4 inches long. It is set 7 inches 

 from the end of the sides. The diagonal braces are 1 by 3-inch pine 

 6 feet 10 inches long. The short side braces are 2 by 3-inch pine 15 



The "Ridger." 



For levee making in the check system of irrigating trees and vines. 



inches long. The lower inside edge should be protected by a strip 

 of steel or iron l /s by 2 inches extending to and around the front 

 ends, which should be beveled to a sharp edge. The inside should 

 also be lined with sheet iron 6 or 8 inchs above the 1 A by 2-inch 

 piece, and should have sheet-iron pieces extending 16 inches beyond 

 the rear end of the sides, tapered and braced in the manner shown 

 in the cut, for the purpose of making the ridger firmer at the top. 

 Every part of the ridger should be firmly bolted with ^-inch bolts, 

 except the J / 8 by 2-inch iron, which should have 3-16-inch bolts, and 

 the sheet-iron, which may be put on with nails. The hooks on sides 

 for hitching draft chain are ft by 1 j inches, and the draft chain is 

 cable chain. 



The V-shaped Crowder or Ditcher. This has sides of 2 by 12- 



mch pine and cross-brace of 2 by 9-inch pine. The long side is 7 feet 



5 inches long and short side 3 feet 6 inches long. This is also pro- 



tected by a piece of steel or iron extending entirely around the 



cher and bolted with 3-16-inch bolts. The sides come together in 



