42 Fruitgrowing under Irrigation 



top trees of the row to receive too much water 

 before the last ones have had sufficient. 



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 urider-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 

 channeling 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, 



