282 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



tween the trees, as they require about the same irriga- 

 tion. Strawberries can be planted in rows four feet 

 apart between the tree rows. Some will say this 

 makes a ragged looking orchard. It does if the trees 

 and bushes are never trimmed, and were planted with 

 no order or system. In transplanting trees it is well 

 to have the ditch water follow in a furrow close to the 

 tree row, so that no time will be lost in moistening the 

 ground and starting the young tree on its new life. A 

 newly set orchard will require more water the first year 

 than any succeeding year, and the writer has made it 

 a point to irrigate every fortnight the first year until 

 September, when all water is shut off. 



If the soil is well prepared the work of setting 

 trees can be well performed and with very little trou- 

 ble. Have the ground moist from fall or winter irri- 

 gation, and let the plow go as deep as the horses can 

 pull it, then follow with a subsoiler, if possible. Meas- 

 ure and stake off in both dire<5lions. Run a light 

 furrow crosswise of the field. Then with the turning 

 plow lay off in the diredlion the water is to run, going 

 up and down until a ditch is made as deep and wide as 

 the plow will turn the earth. When this is done very 

 little shoveling will be required to make ample room 

 for the roots of any ordinary tree. By setting the tree 

 at the jun<5lion of these cross-furrows very little trouble 

 will be experienced in making the rows line up in all 

 dire<5lions. 



To distribute the trees place them in a wagon with 

 straw packed around the roots and wet; then drive 

 through the orchard and take out one tree at a time as 

 fast as needed. In the light, fluffy, or chocolate soils 



