The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1896-05-14
IRRIGATION NEEDED.
Secretary LeIong Says Irregular
Rains are the Cause.
FEED YOUR FOWLS MORE CORN
A Heavy Frost Notwithstanding Out
An misunderstanding to Chinese
General Fruit Notes.

B. NJ. Lelong in an exhaustive paper
before the State Board Of Trade makes
the following statements:
The question Of irrigation for the
of fruit and its necessity
to its growth has been discussed for
years past. yet opinions as to its value
and ultimate results are marred. This
difference of opinion among growers
will always exist, owing to the great
Of soils. localities and eli
matte conditions for which our State
is noted.
There are two methods of applying
water for the benefit of trees and their
crops: One is natural and the other
artificial. Over a great portion of our
state the rainfall or natural system
Tor the promotion of plant life is SO
irregular that the artificial application
of water has become an important and
prime factor for the trees to properly
develop their crops and give satisfac.
tory results.
In considering this important cues.
ton the following variable conditions
must be taken into account: First.
average local rainfall; second, charac-
ter of the soil; third, situation; fourth,
kind Of fruit grown.
As showing the great variation and
difference in soils throughout the State
those requiring irrigation and those
which do not need 1.-THE following is
a fair classification: /. Heavy, re-
tentive soils. 2. Non.retentive soils.
8. Sandy loans. A. Gravelly loans.
8. Moist mountain lands. 6. Dry
mountain lands. 7. Dry river bot
toms. s. Moist river bottoms. 9.
Deep valley land. 10. Adobe, or fat
land. IL. Hillsldes.
The rainfall in various sections
where deciduous fruits are grown is
SO distributed in small storms, yield.
ing usually only fraction Of an inch
of water, that it is evaporated before
it has time to become thoroughly
soaked into the ground. The orchards
very early disclose indications of suffer
ing from drought. In many sections
the growers have been prepared to meet
the emergency and turned on the water
as soon as there appeared need Of it.
The results were that such orchards
yielded full crops.
During a lack of rainfall many
growers have resorted to irrigation in
summer, and no attempt was generally
made to render the land moist in win
ter as is natures method. In such
cases it is most essential to pillow in
the fall, then irrigate in the winte,
and cultivate in the spring.
The trees will set their bloom better
and make strong growth. On the other
hand when there has been sufficient
of rainfall and the ground has been i'm.
properly worked and allowed to dry
the trees put forth in a feeble way
the bloom sets poorly and the growth
of the young fruit is greatly retarded
On shallow or unretentive soils
summer irrigation is needed.
The question which interests Us mos
is: Does the soil retain moisture
enough for the trees to develop the
fruit without having to add water tt
it in order to accomplish the desired
result? When the trees are younl
they draw from the soil very small
amount Of moisture; this absorption
increases every year as the trees grow
older.
When nature furnishes the required
moisture the artificial application O.
water does not become necessary, but
when this fails the difference in moist
ure. to be IN nearly perfect harmony
with natures methods must be sup
piled and irrigation becomes essentia
through artificial means. When Their,
is a sufficient rainfall to thoroughly
moisten the surface soil down to
depth where permanent moisture ex
lists, through cultivation the soil is KEEP
in prime condition and draws moistu
continually from the deep. bidder
sources sufficient for the development
of the fruit and the growth of the trees
In such cases little or no irrigation il
necessary.
Where there exists substratum o.
rgavel preventing the rise of moisture
from the deeper sources frequeDt irri
cation is necessary.
An Eastern expert, remarking upor
the light weight of fowls ON the Pa
cific Coast, says: "You don't feet
enough corn. Whatever others MAY
think. it is my opinion that grea
weights are not attsinable as readily
with other food as can be done with
good, sound Indian corn. Corn fec
birds have richer plumage, more
luster and will score higher than those
fed with other, foods. / have made
Cochin cockerels at six months OLD
weigh l01a pounds when fed on corn,
and given to pullets at six months and
half the full standard weight of hens
Therefore. would urge the Pacifi,
Coast fanciers, when fitting fowls fol-
exhibition, to give them at least the
last months feed on corn"
A general calamity howl has beer
set up by the fruit-growers of tn,
State, says the San Francisco Call.
The frosts of last week were uncom
monty severe; hence the wholesale
prediction of disaster and destruction
From all parts of the fruit.growins
section have come reports that tbs
crops were much hurt, partly ruined
or wholly destroyed.
The only crumb Of encouragement tt
be picked up by the fruit men SO ia,
is the fact that predictions almost
as bad have been made in previous
years, and when the harvest came in
proved to have been greatly exagger'
ated.
Ground to be devoted to an orchard
,borlI ba ao oarafu 1ly x,wararad &C 90,