fruits will render acceptable diet available even through the most arctic 

 stretches along which development may advance in North America and 

 North Asia, while a succession of fresh fruits will flow to all Pacific ports 

 throughout the year. California, too, will be the winter residence for all 

 the North Pacific millionaires and the haven of rest and recuperation for 

 all who are worn by arctic cold or tropical heat throughout the great circle 

 of the Pacific Ocean. Here the arts will flourish, education will attain its 

 highest achievements and culture will prevail. Then fruit growing both as 

 a commercial enterprise and as a home delight will attain value, volume 

 and perfection of which present achievements are but the faint foreshadow- 

 ing. 



Scientifi c Ir rigation 



From " The Conquest of Arid America," by WilHam E. Smythe 



THE scientific side of irrigation is to be studied rather in connection 

 with the culture of fruit and vegetables than with field crops. It 

 is here that the English-speaking irrigators of the West have pro- 

 duced their best results. California has accomplished more than 

 any other locality, but nothing was learned even there until the 

 man from the North had supplanted the Spanish irrigator. The ideal 

 climatic conditions of California attracted both wealth and intelligence into 

 its irrigation industry. Scarcity of water and high land values operated 

 to promote the study of Ideal methods. Where water is abundant it is 

 carried in open ditches, and little thought Is given to the items of seepage 

 through the soil and loss by evaporation. Under such conditions water is 

 lavishly used, frequently to the injury rather than the benefit of crops. 

 But in the southern part of California water is as gold, and is sought for 

 in mountain tunnels and In the beds of streams. A thing so dearly obtained 

 is not to be carelessly wasted before It reaches the place of use. Hence, 

 steep and narrow ditches cemented on the bottom, or steel pipes and 

 wooden flumes, are employed. 



This precious water is applied to the soil by means of small furrows 

 run between the trees or rows of vegetables. The ground has first been 

 evenly graded on the face of each slope. The aim of the skillful Irrigator Is 

 to allow the water to saturate the ground evenly In each direction, so as 

 to reach the roots of the tree or plant. The stream Is small, and creeps 

 slowly down the furrow to the end of the orchard, where any surplus Is 

 absorbed by a strip of alfalfa, which acts like a sponge. The land Is kept 

 thoroughly cultivated, and in the best orchards no weed or spear of grass 

 is ever seen; the water is too costly to waste in the nourishment of weeds. 

 Moreover, It is desired to leave the soil open to the action of air and sun- 

 shine. Nowhere in the world Is so much care given to the aeration of 

 the soil as In the irrigated orchards and gardens of the West. Too much 

 water reduces the temperature of the soil, sometimes develops hardpan, 

 and more frequently brings alkali to the surface. For these reasons modern 

 science has enforced the economical use of water, reversing the crude Mexi- 

 can custom of prodigal wastefulness. The success of the furrow method 

 depends somewhat upon the texture of the soil, and there are places where 

 it cannot be used at all. 



Of late years in California the application of water by furrows has 

 been brought to a marvelous degree of perfection. What Is known as the 

 "Redlands system" is the best type of irrigation methods known In the world. 

 Under this system a small wooden flume or box is placed at the head of the 

 orchard. An opening Is made opposite each furrow, and through this the 

 water flows in the desired quantity, being operated by a small gate or slide. 

 The aperture regulates the flow of water accurately, and the system Is so 

 simple that, after it is once adjusted, its operation Is as easy as the turning 

 of a faucet. The farmer who grows his crops on a fertile soil, under almost 



