CHAPTER X. 



Irrigation. 



I am one of those who carmot-persuade themselves to believe 

 that complete success in orange growing can be attained with- 

 out irrigation. By thorough cultivation, as recommended in the 

 preceding chapter, an orchard on some exceptional soils may 

 be successfully grown during the period of the early growth of 

 the trees, or until the time of fruiting, without artificial irri- 

 gation. If non-irrigation be persisted in after fruiting shall 

 have commenced, the fruit will be dwarfed and unsavory. 

 Time alone can determine whether or not I mistake on this 

 subject. One thing is true, however ; an ample store of water 

 for use in emergencies is a safe and wise provision. Though I 

 believe irrigation absolutely necessary, I know it is a curse of 

 great magnitude to many orchards in this country. This point 

 will be more fully explained in the chapter on "Diseases of 

 Orange Trees." 



Various methods of irrigation have been practiced, some of 

 them for an indefinite length of time, while some are compara- 

 tively new, Latterly, underground irrigation is the great inno- 

 vation on all preceding methods. The philosophy of irrigation, 

 in connection with a common-sense view of the latter method, 

 recommends this method to all thinking, practical minds. The 

 cost of manufacturing and laying the necessary piping has 

 hitherto practically placed an embargo on this system of irri- 

 gation, preventing its general use. I understand, however, that 

 the cost has been reduced to a comparatively low figure, and it 

 is to be hoped, and it is reasonable to presume, that time, ex- 

 perience and improvements on the methods now in use may so 

 simplify the manufacturing process, and so reduce the cost, 



