CHAPTER XIV. 

 IRRIGATION FOR THE ORCHARD. 



S IN garden irrigation, it is advisable lo so ar- 

 range or lay out the tra(5l that those crops 

 which require the least water will receive the 

 least, and vice versa. In other words, do not 

 mix everything in planting, so that the trees will have 

 to be irrigated every time the small fruits are watered. 

 We regard this an important precaution. However 

 commendable impartiality may be as a maxim of irri- 

 gation, it will be found unsafe when applied to the 

 details of water distribution. Plant the cherry trees, 

 for example, where they will get the least irrigation. 

 Next to them the pears and apples, although the latter 

 will need considerable water the first season after 

 planting. It is safe to say that a well-established 

 orchard would not ordinarily require more than three 

 good irrigations during the year. Some would do 

 with less, but this would be about the average. 



As to the manner of running water, we would say 

 that our experience leads us to prefer a head of water 

 just sufficient to send a moderate stream gradually 

 along the rows. This enables the moisture to pene- 

 trate the soil more thoroughly than a rapid current 

 would do. If pradlicable, water should be run on both 

 sides of the row. This is especially desirable in the 

 case of forest or other trees on land that receives little 

 or no cultivation. On most grounds water is usually 



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