200 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



the time the fruit buds are appearing is quite essential. 

 Give no water at the time of blossoming. After the 

 fruit is half grown it can be forced to greater size by 

 copious irrigations. The apple attains one-tenth of its 

 final size during the last month of maturity. Russian 

 varieties have thick, leathery foliage which cannot ivad- 

 ily transpire, and for this reason but very little water 

 should be given at any time. 



Pear. This valuable fruit will succeed in most 

 kinds of soil, but nourishes best in rich loamy, or heavy 

 red clayish, or sandy soils. The latter is especially 

 adapted to it if it carries the oxide of iron, an element 

 quite common in many of the mountain districts of the 

 far West. The best kinds to plant for permanent 

 orchard are the standard sorts budded on pear stock, 

 which if well cared for should stand for two hundred years. 

 The planting should be sixteen or twenty feet apart. 

 Dwarf pears are best budded on the quince, although* 

 this practice forces their blooming period and places 

 them in more imminent danger of spring frosts. Gen- 

 erally speaking, the same amount of water is required 

 as for the apple and plum, and the same general rules, 

 particularly as to cultivation, should be followed. The 

 fruit should never be allowed to become thoroughly ripe 

 on the trees. 



Quince. The quince is a valuable fruit that should 

 find a place in every orchard. In many respects it is 

 superior to pears for home use and is very good for mar- 

 keting. There are but a few varieties from which to 

 select. The Orange is probably the best to plant. The 

 Portugal is a fancy variety because of its crimson appear- 

 ance when cooked. Two choice varieties, known as the 

 Van Deman and Santa Rosa, have recently been intro- 

 duced. A deep, rich soil free from too much moisture 

 is the most suitable for (lie quince. It does not require 

 much irrigation. If over-irrigated the trees will become 



