290 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



often been observed at harvest time that the apples do 

 not come off easily and do not feel right in the hand. 

 Under these circumstances to postpone the picking 

 and irrigate the orchard may require four or five days' 

 time. In twelve hours there will be a noticeable 

 difference; in thirty-six hours the apples will gain in 

 color, plumpness, and size. When picking is resumed 

 the apples will come off nicely and be larger and more 

 highly colored. The gain may be at least ten per cent. 

 This last irrigation affecfts cherries, plums, and grapes 

 as much or more than apples, and we always irrigate 

 heavily while they are ripening. The keeping quali- 

 ties are also better. 



Pear. — This valuable fruit will succeed in most 

 kinds of soil, but flourishes best in rich loamy, or 

 heavy red clayish, or sandy soils. The latter is 

 especially adapted to it if it carries the oxide of iron, 

 an element quite common in many of the mountain 

 distridls of the far west. The best kinds to plant for 

 permanent orchard are the standard sorts budded on 

 pear stock, which, if well cared for, should stand for 

 two hundred years. The planting should be sixteen 

 or twenty feet apart. Dwarf pears are best budded 

 on the quince, although this pradlice forces their 

 blooming period and places them in more imminent 

 danger of spring frosts. Generally speaking, the 

 same amount of water is required as for the apple 

 and plum, and the same general rules, particularly 

 as to cultivation, should be followed. The fruit should 

 never be allowed to become thoroughly ripe on the 

 trees. 



Quince. — The quince is a valuable fruit that 



