288 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



This plow was used within five and a half feet of 

 the trunks of ten-year-old trees on two sides of them, 

 snapping off roots up to an inch in diameter. Irriga- 

 tion followed in these furrows, and water could some- 

 times be found by digging in the bottom of the furrows 

 eighteen feet ahead of the point where it disappeared. 

 When the end of the furrow was reached, which was 

 somewhat behind the time of the ordinary surface 

 furrows adjoining, the owner thought that this water 

 was well placed, but was doubtful whether the good 

 was not offset by the damage to tree and crop by 

 the root-cutting. The next irrigation was in another 

 dire(5lion. Two surface furrows were made near 

 the rows of trees, as usual on each side of them, 

 and one in the middle of the row spaces with the 

 subsoil furrower, eleven feet distant, and one with 

 the same implement on either side of it, about eight 

 feet from the trees. Few roots, and mostly small ones, 

 were cut in this operation. For six months this treat- 

 ment was applied and results were satisfactory. There 

 was no unusual dropping of fruit, even in that part of 

 the orchard where the plow ran within five and a half 

 feet of the trees, and they were heavily laden with fruit 

 of normal size. A regular subsoil attachment following 

 right behind the plowshare could be used instead of 

 the hook in front, or a common subsoil plow might be 

 employed to follow in the furrow and cut through the 

 hard-pan. 



Apples. — ^This king of fruits may be irrigated in 

 many ways, and a liberal quantity of water is advisable. 

 We have noticed one thing about growing apples under 

 irrigation. By giving them plenty of water when they 



