IRRIGATION FOIl T1IK ORCHARD. 199 



go so far as to employ the one-horse weeder, in connec- 

 tion with other tools; Sandy soils do not require so 

 much plowing as does a stiff soil, and for the latter tho 

 rolling cutter has been recommended. Old-fashioned 

 farmers still use the drag harrow. 



The author deprecates the use of whippletrees in an 

 orchard, and uses the patent steel harness, that is devoid 

 of these dangerous things, in orchard cultivation. It is 

 well to observe the flat system of cultivation, and to 

 harrow or scarify the land both ways after each irriga- 

 tion. By this method the land is easily kept free from 

 weeds, and evaporation by capillary attraction is pre- 

 vented. New irrigating furrows should be marked out 

 with a shovel plow or a ditcher just before each irrigation ; 

 throw the earth back again after irrigation so as to 

 better retain the moisture that has been given. It is 

 well to remember that irrigation can better be dispensed 

 with than can cultivation. 



Apples. This king of fruits may be irrigated in 

 many ways, and a liberal quantity of water is advisable. 

 We have noticed one thing about growing apples under 

 irrigation. By giving them plenty of water when they 

 are attaining full size, or are nearly full grown, they 

 receive more sap and attain fully one-eighth more weight 

 or specific gravity, compared with similar fruit of 

 the same size. The color of the apple is also greatly 

 improved in this way, and it puts on a polish that could 

 not be attained without irrigation. The character- 

 istic of polishing nicety is noticed principally in the Ben 

 Davis and Jonathan varieties. If the early spring sea- 

 son has been dry the orchard should be irrigated just as 

 soon as the canals are carrying water. If no other cir- 

 cumstances arise it may be deemed advisable to irrigate 

 again every month until the last of August, when water 

 should be discontinued from all fruits. Young trees 

 will take more water than older ones, and a wetting at 



