IRRIGATION FOR THEJ ORCHARD. 289 



are attaining full size, or are nearly full grown, they 

 receive more sap and attain fully one-eighth more 

 weight or specific gravity, compared with similar fruit 

 of the same size. The color of the apple is also greatly 

 improved in this way, and it puts on a polish that 

 could not be attained without irrigation. The charac- 

 teristic of polishing nicely is noticed principally in the 

 Ben Davis and Jonathan varieties. If the early spring 

 season has been dry the orchard should be irrigated 

 just as soon as the canals are carrying water. If no 

 other circumstances arise it may be deemed advisable 

 to irrigate again every month until the last of August, 

 when water should be discontinued from all fruits. 

 Young trees will take more water than older ones, and 

 a wetting at the time the fruit buds are appearing is 

 quite essential. Give no water at the time of blossom- 

 ing. After the fruit is half grown it can be forced to 

 greater size by copious irrigations. The apple attains 

 one-tenth of its final size during the last month of 

 maturity. Russian varieties have thick, leathery 

 foliage which cannot readily transpire, and for this 

 reason but very little water should be given at any 

 time. 



Of course it must be understood that the manage- 

 ment of an orchard in the fall must depend largely on 

 the dryness of the season, the age and fruitage of the 

 trees, as well as their variety and general condition. 

 While young trees not yet in bearing, or those not 

 carrying a load of fruit, may need no water after the 

 15th of August, it may be quite essential to give water- 

 ings to trees heavy in fruition to more thoroughly 

 develop the fruit itself and aid in the picking. It has 



