The San Francisco call., 1896-04-22
WATER NEEDED
FOR FRUIT LANDS,
The Problem Discussed by
the State Board of
Trade.
rs NO GENERAL RULE.
There Exists a Great Diversity
OF Soils Throughout the
State.
LELONGS EXHAUSTIVE PAPER.
Valuable Informatio Is Given bv C.
M. Wooster, w. H. Mills
and Others.
LELoNGS EXHAUSTIVE PAPER.

The question of the irrigation of land in
the northwestern part of the State was
discussed by the State Board of Trade
yesterday. An exhaustive paper on this
subject was read by B. NJ. Lelong, secre.
tary of the State Board of Horticulture
ana remarks were made by the different
members of the board both as regards the
theoretical and practical ideas in connec-
tion with irrigation.
The following members were present:
Colonel N. P. Chapman, president; c. NJ.
Wooster, W. II. Mills, Colonel John P.
Irish, B. NJ. Lelong. L. c. McAfee, J. A.
Morrissey, Mark L. Mcdonald, E. w.
Maslin, G. L. Montgomery, P. H. Coffman
and G. s. Jobe.
At the beginning of the meeting an edi-
torial appearing in the New York Sun
regarding an exhibit of California prod
ucts to be given in that city, saying, "We
are grieved by the news that the San
Francisco Board of Trade did not come to
time in aiding this enterprise" was read
and w. ii. Mills stated the history of that
enterprise and his connection with it.
Concluding he said:
"The time has come when California
should get up an exposition for its
own benefit solely and not pay its money
| for the assistance of private corporations
and enterprises"
| Press Association at Sacramento asking
| incorporation of the board in the matter
! OF providing suitable celebration in 1898.
which is the fiftieth anniversary of the
| discovery of gold in California and of the
signing of the treaty of Guadalupe
Hldalgo. The board was asked to take
| action in making this State affair."
| The board considered the communica-
| ton and appointed w. H. Mills, L. c. Nc
Afee and j. A. Morrissey to cooperate with
| the Press Association to agitate the mat
| ter of an exhibition.
Mr. Delong read his paper on irrigation,
| saying in substance:
The question of irrigation for the develop.
ment OF fruit and its necessity to its growth has
oeeu discussed Tor years past yet opinions as Ia
| its value and ultimate results are marred
| This difference OF opinion among growers will
/ Always exist, owing to the great variations OF
| soils, localities and climatic conditions fol
| which our State is noted
| There are two methods of applying water fol-
the benefit OF trees and their crops: One is
natural and the other artificial. Over a great
portion of our State the rsinfall or natural
| system for 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 satisfactory results.
In considering this important question the
following variable conditions must be taken
into account: First, average local rainfall ;
second character of the soil; third, situation
fourth, kind OF fruit grown.
AS showing the great variation and differ.
ence in soils throughout the State-those re-
| quiring irrigation and those which do not
need 1.-THE following is a fair classification
soils. 3. Sandy loans. a. Gravelly loans. s.
Moist mountain lands. g. Dry mountain
lands. z. Dry river bottoms. 8. Moist river
bottoms; .. Deep valley land. TO- Adobe, or
| The rainfall i'll various sections where deeid-
uous fruits are grown is so distributed in small
| inch of water, that it is evaporated before il
has time 10 become thoroughly soaked into
| the ground. The orchards very early disclose
indications OF suffering from drought. In
! many sections the growers have been pre-.
pared 10 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 n lack of rainfall many growers have
! res ted to irrigation in summer and no at
| tempt was generally made TO render the land
| moist in winter as is natures method. In
| such cases it is most essential to plow in the
| fall, then irrigate in the winter 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 improperly worked and
| dilOWSu W uiy, tuc trees put TIL III IL 1eeDle
way, the bloom sets poorly and the growth oi
! the young fruit is greatly retarded.
On shallow or unretentive soils summer irri.
/ CATION is needed.
| The question which interests us most is:
| Does the soil retain moisture enough for the
| trees to develop their fruit without having tc
| add water to 1t in order to accomplish the de-
! sired result? When the trees are young they
[ draw from the soil a very small amount OF
| moisture; this absorption increases every year
| as the trees grow older.
| When nature furnishes the required moisture
| the artificial application of water does not be-
| come necessary, but when this fails the differ.
| erence in moisture, to be in nearly perfect
| harmony with natures methods, must be sup.
plied and irrigation becomes essential throu gh
| artificial means.
| When there is a sufficient rainfall to thor.
oughly moisten the surface soil down to q
| depth where permanent moisture exists
/ Though cultivation the soil is kept in prime
! condition and draws moisture continually
from the ieep-hidden sources sutficie mt for the
| development of the fruit and the growth OF
the trees. In such cases little or no Irrigation
| is necessary.
Where there exists substratum of gravel
preventing the rise of moisture from the
deeper sources frequent irrigation is necessary.
Quoting from Henry A. Brainard of San
Jose Mr.. Lelong stated that irrigation in
that county is almost always applied in
winter, burrows being plowed between
the trees both ways, leaving each tree
standing in an inclosed space. As soon as
dry the surface is plowed and narrowed
smooth to prevent evaporation; but that,