2 BULLETIN 479, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



factors to be considered are: (1) The water supply; (2) the soil; 

 ( 3 i the amount of land available; (4) the exposure and slope of the 

 site; (5) its accessibility; (6) the species of stock to be raised; (7) 

 the nature of the surroundings; (8) the cover of the site; and (9) 

 the climate. 



WATER SUPPLY. 



Plants grown in nurseries are subjected to unfavorable conditions 

 of crowding and often of climate not encountered under natural 

 conditions. Yet an effort must be made to keep the mortality rate 

 as low as possible and to produce good stock for field planting. 

 For these reasons it is essential in selecting a site for a nursery to 

 choose one where there is an abundant supply of water. 



The amount of water necessary depends upon the size of the nurs- 

 ery and its possible future extension, the method followed in water- 

 ing, the amount and distribution of rainfall, and the character of 

 the soil. A very porous, well-drained soil will require a greater 

 supply of water than a heavier, more retentive one. If open-ditch 

 irrigation of the beds is practiced a greater supply will be necessary, 

 because of seepage, than if the water is conveyed- in pipes and dis- 

 tributed by sprinklers. If the rainfall were evenly distributed and 

 sufficient for all needs of the plants it w 7 ould, of course, eliminate 

 the necessity of a water supply. This condition seldom exists. 

 While abundant precipitation may occur during a portion of the 

 growing season, there is almost certain to be a dry period w T hen arti- 

 ficial watering will be necessary and when a supply as abundant for 

 the time being as if the whole year were dry will be needed. 



In every case the amount of water available during the period of 

 low water and, if possible, the minimum flow during extremely dry 

 years should be ascertained. Where water is in urgent demand for 

 irrigation purposes, it is vitally important to know whether there is, 

 during dry seasons, sufficient unappropriated water in a stream under 

 consideration, and what the State laws are regarding its use. 



At the Sa venae Nursery, where ditch irrigation is practiced, at the 

 Bessey Nursery, where flooding of the beds is practiced, and at the 

 Wind River Nursery, where garden sprinklers are used entirely, 

 about 4,800, 225, and 75 gallons of water per minute are available, 

 respectively. The yearly capacity of the nurseries is 4,000,000, 

 2,000,000, and 2,000,000 plants, and the areas actually occupied by 

 nursery stock are about 15, 3, and 4 acres, respectively. Except pos- 

 sibly in the case of the Savenac Nursery, the amount of water avail- 

 able is not more than is desirable for successful nursery operations. 



Where it is intended to use garden sprinklers, it is well to know 

 that, under good water pressure, either the rotary or stationary type- 

 of these sprinklers throws from 4 to 6 gallons of water per minute. 



