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inland districts than in the moister air of the coastal zone. In both 

 instances the soil may have been wetted to saturation point by the 

 winter rains ; but, evaporation being more active inland than on the 

 coast, that store of moisture is more rapidly exhausted in the first 

 instance as compared with the second. 



This perspiration of the leaves keeps the plant cool when 

 everything else around is scorched, but as soon as that perspiration 

 ceases leaves and fruit get burned. Whenever, therefore, 

 perspiration threatens to stop for want of moisture rising from the 

 roots we find in watering and in irrigation a ready means of 

 stimulating it. 



ADVANTAGES OF IRRIGATION. 



In the coastal districts of Western Australia, where fruit 

 growing is more extensively carried on, little or no heed has 

 hitherto been paid to the advantages of irrigation. The reason is 

 that within that zone which is more directly under the beneficial 

 influence of monsoonal and maritime climate, that climate is 

 consistent and not capricious. The ground receives a deep and a 

 thorough soaking every winter, and the air is all through the year 

 charged with a sufficiency of moisture which checks a too rapid or 

 too prolonged evaporation or perspiration through the leaves. 

 Further inland, however, these conditions are not noticeable to 

 the same extent. The rainfall is not so abundant and the 

 evaporation is greater ; furthermore, adequate and suitable water for 

 irrigation is often deficient. 



Numerous spots, however, are found dotted over the country 

 where irrigation can be carried out with profit and ease. In such 

 places, and wherever deep and thorough drainage is associated with 

 it, irrigation eliminates any risks arising from any freaks and 

 anoinalities of the season. Such privileged spots are always, for 

 that reason, much sought after. Although alive to the value and 

 potentialities of these spots, few owners however, have hitherto 

 taken advantage of their sources of water supply and led them 

 along suitable channels to where they can double or treble the 

 production of the ground. 



EVILS OP IRRIGATION. 



Although irrigation has been a source of large profits to some, 

 it may be said to have, on the other hand, led in as many cases 

 to considerable losses. The practice should only be adopted with 

 judgment. The initial cost of leading water on to the land 

 may be so great that the expenditure may not be justifiable. 

 Moreover irrigation without efficient and thorough drainage is always 

 fatal, sooner or later. The ground thereby alternately gets chilled 

 and baked ; there is no get away for the water except by evapora- 

 tion ; this cools the ground to a point which is uncomfortable and 

 detrimental to vegetation and leads to the rotting of the roots. In 



