SPECIAL POINTS FOR IRRIGATORS 215 



RANDOM SUGGESTIONS 



Without attempting an impossible thing, to-wit, to furnish 

 explicit directions for the practice of irrigation, for much of it 

 every man must learn for himself by experience, a few suggestions 

 may be noted, even though more important ones do not come to 

 mind. 



Usually water should be prevented from actual contact with the 

 trunk of the tree. Citrus trees are especially sensitive to such 

 contact, and resent it by "gum disease," which was formerly far 

 more prevalent in the State than now. Care must, therefore, be 

 taken not to set trees which are to be irrigated, too low. It is 

 better to raise them up a little and draw the earth up around them 

 to prevent approach of the water, but this must not be overdone. 



If possible, the ditch should run on the shady side of the tree, 

 because reflected sunshine from the water surface may burn the 

 bark. 



In examining soil to ascertain dryness, one must dig deeply, 

 for often an upper layer will be fairly moist, if well cultivated, 

 while lower layers, where the feeding rootlets are, will be arid. 

 Therefore, when trees or vines are suffering, dig far down in exam- 

 ining the soil. 



In irrigating, thorough, deep soaking is necessary, and exam- 

 ination must be made to see if an artificial hard-pan which prevents 

 the descent of the water has been formed. 



Be careful not to continue irrigation too late in the season. It 

 will prevent the proper dormancy of deciduous trees, and if more 

 fall irrigation is given citrus trees than they need for perfecting 

 the fruit, the trees will continue growing tender shoots until they 

 are injured by severe frosts. On the other hand, it is often desir- 

 able to give deciduous trees a draft of water after the fruit has 

 been gathered, if the soil is so dry that the tree is likely to drop 

 its leaves too soon, and wake from its dormancy with the first 

 rains. Many times the fall blooming of deciduous trees, which is 

 very undesirable, may be prevented by keeping them growing later 

 in the summer by moderate irrigation. 



If trees or vines, in regions usually irrigated, are to be grown 

 without irrigation, it is important that the grower be more than 

 usually thorough and constant with his summer cultivation. In 

 trying the non-irrigation experiment, one should, of course, begin 

 with young trees which have not been irrigated, and not usually 

 expect success by withdrawing the water from trees which have 

 been accustomed to it, and have developed a root system accord- 

 ingly. 



