The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1901-01-02
HOW MUCH WATER?
Conclusions From the Experience
of Many Irrigators.

Conclusions From the Experience
of Many Irrigators.
A Eery interesting question in the ir-
rigatiOn Of fruit trees is, How much
| water is used? 1t has been claimed
that this question cannot be answered
categorically because of the differences
in exposure, soils, rainfall and in the
requirements of different plants. A
careful inquiry recently conducted by
E. J. Wickson included the experience
of scores of irrigators in different re-
gions of the Pacific coast and disclosed
the fact that the amount Of water ap-
piled actually differed even more wide
ly than the theoretical computation
based upon the influence of the vari-
able factors mention would indicate. 1t
is found that, in addition to topogra
ply, mechanical conditions of soil and
variation in plant requirements and at
the same time somewhat determined
by them, the factor of frequency in
trudes, and upon consideration of all
factors Professor Wickson arrives at
these brief deductions:
First.-With adequate depth and re-
tentiveness Of soil 20 inches of rainfall,
If duly conserved by good cultivation,
may render irrigation unnecessary for
deep roofing deciduous fruits.
Second.-If the rainfall on such soil
is inadequate, it may be satisfactorily
supplemented for such plants by win
ter irrigation, using total depth of
to - inches in from one to three ap-
plications, according to the receptivity
of the SOIL
Third.-Also for such soils for such
plants the same results can be secured
by summer irrigation with from three
to six inches - water, divided into two
or three applications.
Fourth.-On deep, leachy soils for
such plants neither heavy winter rains
nor winter irrigation will suffice, and a
monthly application of two or three
inches Of water from May to August or
September may be required.
Fifth.-Even on deep, retentive soils,
as we'll as on coarse soils, shallow root
ing deciduous plants, bearing what are
called "small fruits" may require fort
nightly or even weekly applications
amounting to four inches a month dur
ing the dry season.
Sixth.-On shallow soils of retentive
character even deep roofing trees may
require two inches monthly from May to
August, while Oh shallow, coarse soils
SO per cent more water may be neces-
sary.
Seventh.-On shallow, coarse soils
shallow roofing small fruit plants may
fail through heat and drought in spite
Of any frequent use of water, which
is commercially practicable. Sprinkling
and mulching may make the plants sat
isfactory for home use.
Eighth.-Evergreen fruit trees, n
Guiding citrus fruits, require about so
per cent more water than deciduous
fruits would require under the same
soil and in the same location, except
that the olive will thrive with approx
imately the same water which satisfies
a deciduous fruit tree, but it must be
available later in the season, as the
tree develops it's fruit later.
These deductions are not intended to
be indications Of what is necessary to
the trees. The quantities given are
general statements Of what is used by
those who have bearing trees and Sc
cure good crops of marketable fruit.