27 



As stated in previous chapters, nothing is so detri 

 mental to the welfare of the orchard as to water 

 along an almost level grade on sandy land ; for the 

 great quantity of water it is necessary to use before 

 the end of the rows are watered may cause seepage 

 to appear on the lower portion of the holding should 

 the under -drainage of the land not be perfect. But 

 seepage may also be brought about, even on land 

 that has been well laid out, both as regards chan- 

 nelling and planting, if the watering is careless or 

 excessive. One of the quickest ways to ruin a 

 piece of land is to water along a gentle grade with 

 a small stream, or along a fairly steep grade with a- 

 large stream. In both instances the upper portion 

 of the rows gets too much water and the lower portion 

 too little, with the likelihood of seepage appearing 

 on the lower part of the holding at some time. 



The chief work in connection with the irrigation 

 of the orchard is to see that the furrows are kept 

 running. Weeds and leaves will occasionally block 

 the outlet pipes, and these must be removed. Fur- 

 rows that are silting up must be cleared, and those 

 that have burst must be repaired. Where the land 

 has been well laid out for watering not much work 

 is experienced in its irrigation ; still it is necessary 

 for a man to be in attendance for the greater portion, 

 of the time to see that all goes well. 



AMOUNT OF WATER TO USE. 



The art of irrigation may be said to consist of 

 securing the maximum of crop from the minimum 

 of water. The advantages of not using more water 

 than is absolutely necessary is apparent for three 

 reasons : firstly, that irrigation, which is at best a 

 mussy occupation, should not be unduly prolonged, 

 as this results in a waste of time and labor : secondly , 

 that the economical use of water lessens the danger 

 from seepage ; and thirdly, that excessive watering 

 leaches out the most expensive plant foods, such as 

 nitrates, contained in the soil, and carries them deep> 



