method a team can be driven along the dry strips of land between 

 the furrows, and with a harrow or other appliance the dry soil can 

 be dragged into the wet furrows to lessen the evaporation, imme- 

 diately after the irrigation water is turned off. With any other sys- 

 tem, it is necessary to wait twelve hours, or much longer, before a 

 team can be driven over the ground. 



The cost of installing a sub-irrigation system places it beyond 

 the reach of the ordinary small grower ; but it is the ideal way to apply 

 water, and greatly lessens waste. Howeven, the method outlined 

 above, approaches sub-irrigation more nearly than any other. 



Much more benefit can be derived from the same amount of 

 water when it is run three days instead of two, the third day leaving 

 more water in the ground than either of the others. 



When and Where California soil is known to be naturally rich ; 



Fertilization and when orange trees are planted on virgin 



is Necessary. ground, they will usually do well for the first 



few years without any application of fertilizer. 



In sections where the soil is shallow it is expedient to apply a fertilizer 



every year from the time the orchard is planted. 



Experience of orange growers proves that the quantity of fruit 

 may be increased, and the quality improved by fertilization. The 

 extent and character of fertilizing is obviously dependent upon local 

 conditions. The new man will observe and follow the practice of 

 the most successful growers in his immediate locality. California 

 soil is rich in all the subsidiary elements necessary for orange cul- 

 ture, and the intelligent grower will see that his trees do not suffer 

 for want of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, the elements which 

 the crop draws annually from the ground, and which must be re- 

 placed. 



Different Kinds The generally accepted way to enrich the soil 



of is to place the best manure, and the most of it 



Fertilizers. that is practicable, upon the orchard with its 



first fertilization, and piece it out afterwards 



with such commercial fertilizers as local experience has proven profit- 

 able. In many orchards a green fertilizer is planted, cow peas or 

 vetches being considered the best two for a cover crop to be turned 

 under in the spring. 



DISEASES. 



Victory Won The orange in California is subject to but few dis- 



over eases. Once the industry was threatened by the white 



Disease. cottony cushion scale, and once by the black scale ; 



but both were conquered by science and patience. 



Every form of insect pest can be successfully eradicated if due care 



be exercised. The Horticultural Commissioners in each county stand 



ready to give veteran advice and assistance to new growers in case 



their trees show signs of disease. 



11 



