41 



frost can be taken at a very small cost, as the danger only lasts a week 

 or two, and the probability of frost can be ascertained overnight pretty 

 surely. 



THE USE OF WATER IN FRUIT CULTURE, 



The command of a supply of water, by means of irrigation, will be of 

 great service to the fruit cultivator, and more especially in the drier 

 portions of Australia, where the rainfall is light and uncertain. In 

 fact, a supply of water that can be utilised at the right times may make 

 all the difference between the failure and success of fruit trees or vines. 

 By means of the various irrigation schemes now in operation, and others 

 that will be adopted in the future, large areas will be made available 

 for fruit and other culture in localities where, without supplies of water, 

 growth would be uncertain, owing to the light and irregular rainfall. 

 But though a good supply of water is a great advantage in fruit culture 

 some care and judgment is required in using it. Some people have the 

 idea that the command of water is all that is necessary, and that 

 bountiful crops will always be obtained by its free use. This is a 

 mistaken idea, as when water is used without judgment more harm than 

 good may be done. As regards deciduous trees and shrubs, a supply of 

 water may, if required, be given wilh advantage while the fruit is 

 increasing in size, but not after it is fully grown. When fruit has 

 attained its full size then the period of decay begins, of which the 

 ripening process is the commencement. Trees then are better when 

 their roots are a little dry than otherwise, and water supplied at that 

 time will do harm. The same remarks will apply to Grape vines. An 

 excess of water when the fruit is fully grown will cause deterioration in 

 quality, and in some cases destroys to a large extent peculiar flavours 

 that are highly appreciated. The fruit will also be more tender, and wil 

 not keep so well, as if grown without water. The use of water, when 

 growth is well advanced, is, in the case of deciduous trees, also apt to 

 cause a prolonged and weakly growth of wood that is not required. 

 This growth is at the expense of the constitution of the plant, and its 

 fruit-bearing powers in the future. When the trees have made a fair 

 summer growth of wood, and brought their fruits to maturity, they 

 have done their work for the season, and should be allowed to rest, or 

 sleep, to recuperate for the next year. If they are kept in a state of 

 excitement, instead of getting the rest they require, the trees must 

 necessarily suffer severely. In supplying water to deciduous trees, the 

 local conditions, such as climate, soil, and period of bearing, must 

 necessarily be taken into consideration. If necessary, but this is not 

 often the case, trees may receive a watering just as growth is starting 

 in the spring. On no account should water be given while the trees 

 are in bloom, or immediately before, as it may cause the flowers to 

 drop too soon. A second watering may be given, if required, after the 

 fruio has set. Water may be again supplied," if necessary, when the fruit 

 is about two-thirds grown. No more water will be required after this 

 stage is reached in ordinary soils, as a rule, Cultivators must bear 



