The ground has first been evenly graded on the face of each 

 slope. The aim of the skilful irrigator is to allow the water 

 to saturate the ground evenly in each direction, so as to 

 reach the roots of the tree or plant. The stream is small, 

 and creeps slowly down the furrow to the end of the orchard, 

 where any surplus is absorbed by a strip of alfalfa, which 

 acts like a sponge. The land is kept thoroughly cultivated, 

 and in the best orchards no weed or spear of grass is ever 

 seen ; the water is too costly to waste in the nourishment 

 of weeds. Moreover, it is desired to leave the soil open to 

 the action of air and sunshine. Nowhere in the world is so 

 much care given to the aeration of the soil as in the irrigated 

 orchards and gardens of the West. Too much water reduces 

 the temperature of the soil, sometimes develops hard-pan, and 

 more frequently brings alkali to the surface. For these rea- 

 sons modern science has enforced the economical use of 

 water, reversing the crude Mexican custom of prodigal waste- 

 fulness. The success of the furrow method depends some- 

 what upon the texture of the soil, and there are places where 

 it cannot be used at all. Such localities are not considered 

 favorable to fruit culture. 



Of late years in California the application of water by fur- 

 rows has been brought to a marvellous degree of perfection. 

 What is known as the " Redlands system " is the best type 

 of irrigation methods known in the world. Under this sys- 

 tem a small wooden flume or box is placed at the head of 

 the orchard. An opening is made opposite each furrow, and 

 through this the water flows in the desired quantity, being 

 operated by a small gate or slide. The aperture regulates 

 the flow of water accurately, and the system is so simple that, 

 after it is once adjusted, its operation is as easy as the turn- 

 ing of a faucet. The farmer who grows his crops on a fer- 

 tile soil, under almost cloudless skies, with a system con- 

 trolling the moisture as effective as this, may be said to have 

 mastered the forces of nature. The quality of the fruit has 



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