TREES AND SHRUBS ON THE FARM 15 



SPECIAL SUGGESTIONS FOR THE IRRIGATED FARM 

 Much i.)i the information given in the foregoing pages will apply 

 equally well to the irrigated or the non-irrigated farm. The choice 

 of plants, time of planting, plan of planting, cultivation, pruning, etc., 

 will be much the same in either case. However, a few suggestions 

 particularly applicable to the growing of trees under irrigation may 

 1. e helpful. Disappointments in tree culture come not alone to those 

 who are denied the use of irrigation water. Many failures are 

 experienced on irrigated farms and in many cases these failures may 

 be attributed to wrong methods of irrigation. A simple statement 

 of some of the principles underlying the use of water in growing 

 trees seems desirable. 



On the irrigated farm good soil preparation is important but 

 not necessarily as long a process as on the non-irrigated farm. Sum- 

 mer fallowing is not necessary. Fall plowing is to be preferred. 

 If plowed in the spring the land must be well worked down with a 

 disk or packer for water can not be handled economically or satis- 

 factorily on loose soil. It is seldom wise to attempt to start trees 

 on newly broken sod land, even when water is available, unless the 

 sod is exceptionally well cut up in the process of preparation. 



Setting trees with water. In setting trees with water, a hole 

 should be dug large enough to accommodate the roots without 

 crowding. If rows of trees are to be set and running water is avail- 

 able, a good plan is to plow out a furrow and dig the holes in the 

 bottom of this. Place the tree in the hole, cover the roots well with 

 earth, and turn water into the furrow to settle the soil covering the 

 roots. Whether run in furrows or poured into individual holes, 

 enough water should be used to thoroughly settle the soil about the 

 roots. After the water has soaked away, the furrow and holes are 

 filled with loose earth, which should not be packed. Always remem- 

 ber that it is wise to use plenty of water at the time the plants are set. 



Irrigating trees and shrubs. (1) Newly planted trees do not 

 need frequent irrigation early in the season. The roots are not 

 capable of taking up a great amount of moisture and too frequent 

 watering retards growth by keeping the soil cool. Water the plants 

 well at the time they are set and then withhold water until exam- 

 ination of the soil shows that the subsoil is really drying out. If 

 the surface soil is kept well stirred about the plants, this first water- 



