IRRIGATION FOR THE ORCHARD. 195 







exception. 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 us circumstances will permit. When the 

 water has run its course turn it off. Do not let it soak 

 and flood the ground. 



In orchard irrigation it is a good rule never to apply 

 water so long as the sub-surface soil say at a depth of 

 six^r eight inches will ball in the hand ; and this is a 

 test that should often be resorted to during the growing 

 season. The yield may be largely increased by the judi- 

 cious application of water. That the fruit may also be 

 increased in size and made more attractive is equally 

 certain. At the same time judgment is required for the 

 best results. Indeed, positive harm may be done by un- 

 timely irrigation, not only to tree and plant, but to the 

 land as well. Incessant watering without regard to the 

 condition of the soil or the needs of the plant will often 

 force a growth of wood at the expense of the fruit prod- 

 uct and the fruit flawr. It may likewise cause a 

 growth to be made which the succeeding winter finds 

 immature and unable to withstand its tests. This will 

 almost certainly be the result with any tree or plant that 

 has a tendency to make a strong or succulent growth. 

 Whenever late frosts are feared turn on the irrigation 

 water in the orchard, and unless the frost is very heavy 

 no damage will be done to the fruit. Irrigate not later 

 than the latter part of August or the first days of Sep- 

 tember, so as to give the wood a chance to ripen. When 

 water can be had irrigate once more in November or 

 December, for the winters in irrigating countries are 

 generally very dry, but never use more water than is 

 needed to keep the soil moderately moist during winter. 



Planting. A good idea of an irrigated orchard 

 may be gleaned from the diagram of Figure 60. At a is 

 the ditch, b are the checks in the ditch, and c the head- 

 gates of the furrows. 



