174 IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS IN CALIFORNIA. 



course, made as slight and inexpensive as possible. This operates to prevent the use 

 of the water in the season when it is abundant and when its use on orchards, vine- 

 yards, and alfalfa would be most beneficial. During the cool weather, when the trees 

 and vines are dormant, it is possible to water much more thoroughly and to greater 

 depths than is safe in the heat of summer. The water applied at this time reaches 

 the deeper roots and, stored in the subsoil, furnishes a reserve of moisture for 

 summer supplv. Under such conditions much less water and shorter irrigating 

 periods suffice for keeping everything in full vigor during the growing and fruiting 

 season. In winter the low temperature is also less favorable for evaporation, and 

 hurtful salts are much less likely to be brought to the surface than in summer. The 

 applying of water during the hot season, especiallv if the earth is dry to a great 

 depth and the application long continued, is alwaj'S attended with risk of baking the 

 soil and scalding the growing crops, and it is desirable that the irrigating periods of 

 this season be as infrequent and as short as possible while furnishing the necessary 

 moisture for vigorous and healthy plant growth. Another advantage of winter irri- 

 gation is that the lands ma_y thus be cleared of gophers. In places where water is 

 near the surface, sa}' at depths of 5 to 8 feet, with a favorable season for seeding, 

 alfalfa will grow, and after the first season would thrive without irrigation were ^t 

 not for these animals. These burrow in the alfalfa fields and feed on the roots. If 

 allowed to have their way they, in a few j'ears, kill out the alfalfa. When the fields 

 are flooded with cold water in winter the gopher is either drowned, or driven out, 

 chilled and drenched, to perish in the cold. When driven out by summer irrigation 

 he makes his way to the nearest bank and waits for the sun to dry his coat and for 

 the water to recede. He is soon no worse for his bath, and the irrigated land is the 

 better fitted for his operations. When land is regularly watered in winter there is 

 practically no trouble with this pest. But without this the gopher has undisputed 

 possession and soon makes reseeding necessar}'. The consequent loss and expense 

 deters many from the cultivation of this crop. Wherever winter irrigation has been 

 practiced in this region the results have been approved. 



The Moore Ditch has not been cleared out or adequately repaired for manj'^ 

 years, and is choked with moss and other vegetable growth to such an extent that its 

 capacit}^ is very much reduced. Plate XV shows its present condition. 



For the purpose of finding the character of the service rendered, a series of 

 questions was sent to each person who was supposed to be using water under this 

 ditch. The information thus gathered shows that the water is not received at the 

 time and in the volume needed to secure the best results. Out of fort^'-seven persons 

 replying to the questions: " Have you had water from the ditch to the amount needed 

 and at the time needed r' forty-three answered "No," and four answered "Yes."' 

 And in response to the request, "State the length of time you waited after you 

 needed or asked for the water," forty-six of the forty-seven gave answers as follows: 



"Had all the water wanted at all times," "A few hours," "Did not have to wait 

 long in 1900," "Ten days," "Fourteen days," " Sometimes have to wait," " Sometimes 

 as long as two weeks," "Fifteen days," "One to three weeks," "Twenty days," 

 "About three weeks after it was needed," " Three weeks," " One week to one month," 

 "Two to four weeks," "About three weeks," "Sometimes we have to wait three to 

 four weeks," ' ' Three to four weeks," "Alwaj^s have to wait in August and September," 



