CHAPTER V. 

 GARDEN IRRIGATION. 



It has already been intimated that the irrigated garden 

 should be the aim of all who desire to attain the fullest 

 satisfaction in vegetable growing. But while it is true 

 that the California gardener must have irrigation to do 

 his best and to give him a solid year of rotations and 

 successions in his garden, due emphasis must be laid upon 

 the fact that in suitable locations the unirrigated garden 

 in California is a greater treasure than at the east. This 

 fact is due to the character of our winter climate, which, 

 as has been shown in a previous chapter, is actually a 

 growing season for all but the vegetables which will 

 endure no frost. By using to their fullest capacity our 

 six rainy months, by early cultivation and planting, which 

 will be fully explained later, midwinter and spring vege- 

 tables can be produced in great variety; and by proper 

 cultivation for the retention of moisture, tender vegeta- 

 bles, planted toward the end of the rainy season, will 

 find moisture enough stored in the soil to carry them to 

 perfection in midsummer and autumn, although not a 

 drop of rain may fall from the sowing of the seed to 

 the gathering of the crop. For this reason owners of 

 fairly deep and retentive soil in regions of ample rainfall 

 can attain splendid results without irrigation, if they will 

 only be alert for prompt work and persistent in summer 

 cultivation. 



What can be done in California with the unirrigated 

 garden depends upon conditions existing in each locality. 

 Character and depth of soil, amount of rainfall, degree 

 of heat, and percentage of relative humidity in the air, 



