368 
JOUENAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 
Cultivation. 
In the Prune orchard, as in all others, careful cultivation always repays. 
A double object is attained by keeping the surface well pulverised. First, 
the weeds, -which draw heavily upon the vitality of the soil, so needful 
for tree and fruit growth, are destroyed, and the fertilising qualities 
wdiich they would extract from the land are preserved for the' benefit of 
the growing fruit. Secondly, it prevents the rapid evaporation of 
moisture from the soil, the loose surface acting as a mulch, and on dry 
lands especially rendering the need of irrigation less frequent. A 
neglected orchard overrun with weeds takes money out of the pocket of 
the owner. 
It is customary to plough deeply in the early spring, usually as soon 
as the w^eeds are fairly started, their seeds being given a fair chance to 
germinate in order that the plough may turn under and destroy as many 
as possible. Near the rows of trees, shallow ploughing must be the 
rule, taking care to avoid injuring the roots as much as possible. After 
ploughing, the land should be thoroughly harrowed and left in as good 
condition as possible. 
After the spring ploughing, a cultivator or w^eed cutter should be used 
three or four times in the season, as required, to keep the weeds down 
and the surface loose. Particular pains should be taken in this matter. 
Many growers use a fine rake or clod-smasher, breaking carefully all 
lumps, smoothing down all inequalities, and leaving a perfectly level and 
soft surface, upon which the ripe fruit can fall without injury. 
In foot-hill land, it is usual after the harvest to plough a furrow on 
the low^ side of each row of trees. This is left during the wunter to catch 
the rainfall and prevent its escape to the low lands. By this means the 
land gets the benefit of the entire winter rainfall, w^hich is husbanded for 
summer use. 
Ihkigation. 
Irrigation is another thing that depends wholly upon the character of 
the soil. Some lands producing excellent Prunes are so damp that 
draining has to be resorted to in order to prevent the surplus water from 
drowming-out the trees, while upon others — notably in the southern part 
of California, wdiere dry land and intense evaporation are the rule — 
irrigation must be frequent and thorough, and careful cultivation must 
follow each period of irrigation. 
In portions of Santa Clara Valley it is found that at least 20 inches 
of rain are necessary to ensure good crops. Here winter irrigation is 
resorted to, the land being thoroughly soaked while the trees are at rest, 
and no water is given in the summer. On this question there is as great 
diversity of opinion as there is in regard to soil, and each grower uses 
his owai judgment, taking into consideration the characteristics of the 
soil upon which his orchard is situated. 
Pruning. 
The training of the young tree requires thoughtful care. In the first 
three years of its life it will assume the form which it is to retain. Here 
