I2O HORTICULTURE BY IRRIGATION. 



HOW AND WHEN TO IRRIGATE. 



First of all, care should be exercised to so arrange or lay out the garden 

 and orchard, that those things which require the least water will receive 

 the least, and vice versa. In other words, don't mix everything up so in plant- 

 ing, that your trees or vegetables will have to be irrigated every time the 

 small fruits are. I regard this an important precaution. Plant the cherry 

 trees, for example, where they will get the least irrigation. Next to them 

 the peach, pears and apples, although the latter will need considerable the 

 first season after planting. Among small fruits, the blackberry and most 

 varieties of grapes will get along with comparatively little water, while the 

 strawberry, currant and gooseberry should be watered quite freely. The 

 raspberry, if properly mulched, only needs an occasional irrigating, ex- 

 cept when fruiting, then once a week will be about the right thing. Nearly 

 all cuttings require plenty of moisture. For obvious reasons, no precise 

 rule can be given for the application of water. So much depends on soil, 

 location and the manner of cultivation, that this would be out of the 

 question. It is safe to say that the well-established orchard would not 

 ordinarily require more than three good irrigatings during the year. Some 

 would do with less, but this would be about the average. The small 

 fruits, during the fruiting season, I would water at least once a week. As 

 to the manner of running water, I prefer a head of water just sufficient to 

 send a moderate stream gradually along the rows. This enables the mois- 

 ture to penetrate the soil more thoroughly than a rapid current would do. 

 If practicable, water should be run on both sides of the row, without the 

 lateral or ditch is close to one side. This is especially desirable in the 

 case of forest or other trees on land that receives little or no cultivation. 

 On my grounds water is usually run along several rows at the same time. 

 Now and then soil is found that will of admit of rapid irrigation, or, as it 

 is sometimes called, sending the water along with a rush. But this is the 

 exception, and is often very objectionable. Of course, where water is 

 scarce and one is limited to a certain time in its use, the best that can be 

 done is to use it as circumstances will permit. When the water has run 

 its course, turn it off. Don't let it soak and soak, and flood your grounds 

 and those of your neighbor, and the streets and highways and byways. 



TO RECAPITULATE. 



First prepare your ground for irrigation. Avoid steep grades for fruit 

 stock. Give preference to a gentle slope. Irrigate gradually with a mod- 



