CROP DEVELOPMENT UNDER IRRIGATION 171 



It was further observed that the various parts of the 

 waste varied with the water used. As our knowledge of 

 this matter grows, it will no doubt be possible, under con- 

 ditions of irrigation, to control largely the output of fruit 

 from a given orchard. 



A similar problem is connected with the production 

 of the tomato, which is grown in tremendously large 

 quantities in districts where the canning factories operate. 

 It is of prime importance to obtain the largest yield by 

 weight of tomatoes, considering both quality, size and 

 shape. To make the vines small and the tomatoes large is 

 a question of very great importance. The same may be 

 said of the cantaloupe industry, which assumes large 

 proportions in certain sections of the irrigated West. 

 The agricultural investigators of the irrigated regions 

 must take these matters in hand at an early date, to dis- 

 cover the laws that control the production of the various 

 parts of all the crops that are commonly grown under 

 irrigation. 



The length of season also has an important bearing 

 upon the economy of the water used. By varying the 

 quantity of water used, it is possible, at least in a small 

 measure, to lengthen out or shorten the season. As is 

 well known, the more water is at the disposal of the plant, 

 the longer growth continues. If the soil moisture is high 

 in early spring, there is a tendency for the plant to pre- 



