326 IRRIGATION PRACTICE 



abandoned their homes and their orchards. Five years 

 later, every tree that had grown along the ditch banks and 

 had, therefore, developed shallow root-systems, was dead. 

 Every tree that stood at considerable distance from the 

 ditch banks and had, therefore, been compelled to strike 

 its roots deeply, was in a most excellent condition and 

 carrying small quantities of fruit. These and similar 

 experiences demonstrate the very great importance of a 

 deep root-system in sections where drought or the driest 

 year may come at any time, through climatic variations 

 or some accident like the breaking of a dam. 



The quality of irrigated fruit is greatly affected by 

 irrigation. Lewis states that irrigation makes larger, 

 more elongated, more angular, brighter and more attrac- 

 tive fruit. Moderate irrigations reduce the windfalls, and 

 produce fruit of high color, fine flavor and good shipping 

 quality. Fruit raised by moderate irrigations is pre- 

 ferred for drying or canning. Walnuts* slip more easily 

 from the skin if water has been applied in medium quan- 

 tities. Over-irrigation is always an injurious practice in 

 fruit-production. 



193. Nursery stock. Nursery stock must be grown 

 in soil kept as far as may be possible at a uniform degree 

 of moisture. Nursery stock does not well resist sudden 

 shocks of any kind. 



194. Small fruits. The small fruits, such as dew- 

 berries, raspberries, currants, blackberries, strawberries, 

 loganberries and gooseberries, are grown readily under 

 irrigation, and most of them require very little water. 

 Cranberries also have been known to yield well under 

 irrigation in especially constructed basins. 



There should be an abundance of water at planting, 

 and some water should be kept in the soil throughout the 



