118 THE CANADIAJf IIOIITICULTUEIST. 



commencing from the time when the vintage has been completed in 

 the autumn, the watering is continued until the fruit sets next spring. 



Mr. Beal thinks that sufficient information was not given in the 

 papers referred to on irrigation read at the winter meetings of 1877-8 

 ■ — see Annual Eeports for those years. I can only say that the time 

 of these meetings is limited, and the subject of irrigation is a long one. 

 To have travelled over all the ground (or water) would have wearied 

 the audience. My object was merely to draw attention to the subject 

 generally, trusting that parties more conversant than myself, and more 

 able writers, would give their experience. 



A general system of irrigation, such as is required for Ontario, 

 would have to be undertaken either by the Government, as in Europe 

 and Asia, or by companies, as in California. It would not be possible 

 for private individuals to undertake the artificial watering of more than 

 a few acres. Irrigation on a large scale would require legislative 

 enactment for tlie right of way of large canals, heavy cuttings and 

 embankments, and the use of water from streams at present flowing. 

 It would therefore have been useless to give any estimate of the cost 

 of the systems employed by private individuals in England. Tliere 

 also the cost of labor and material is cheaper than here, and a smaller 

 supply of water is needed. 



In the south of France, where the climate is hot and dry, and 

 irrigation is extensively practiced, from 3|^ to 4 inches of water in 

 depth is applied to the land every ten days ; and this supply is the 

 basis for all contracts between the government, which looks after tlie 

 water supply, and the owners of the canals. And this may be taken 

 as the medium amount required in Canada, as the climate and circum- 

 stances are somewhat similar. Some crops and soils require more, 

 and some less. 



Erom observations made by Mr. Dickinson, Abbots Hill, England, 

 extending over eight years, he found that ninety per cent, of the water 

 which falls during the summer months w\is evaporated from the soil. 

 If such is the case in a cool, cloudy climate, what must it be here, 

 where the temperature is from IS"* to 20° warmer, under the direct 

 influence of vertical and unveiled sun. 



The Early Purple cherry proved to be a very profitable crop this 

 season, selling readily in Montreal at from 15c. to 20c. per quart. 



