Arizona republican., 1907-06-24

proposed to deal as liberally as poss.- hle on small areas of plant life that must have good supply of water by giving two runs of water during the week if the water is running in canal where it is possible. Some veg etables may bear this treatment. but others in summer time that require water regularly, will not develop crisp edible foods. but am afraid may be tough, bitter and unpalatable. Under the proposed arrangement small fruits will be adversely affected. for the one thing absolutely necessary for good luscious fruit is frequent and ample watering in this desert country. Your account of MT. C. C. Chambers success in the growth of strawberries furnish es good evidence of the need of regu- lar watering. The practice that brought him success was the application of water and the concentration of his supply of water for fifteen acres of land, for the cultivation of three acres or strawberry plants. In discussing MT. J. w. Blacks work with strawber- ries, you report MT. Black believes a whole lot in furnishing the plants with a plentiful supply of water" Fruit that ought to be on every farm, but Is not, require frequent watering for successful growth, and the reason that fruits are not grown in many places is that water has been too thinly spread out. It may be stated here, and it should be thoroughly known that the action of water upon the land is to bring about chemical changes in the soil so that plant life may feed upon the several gases and matters which are their food and water is also the carrier that bears the food through the canals which the plant builds for lis conveyance to the parts of plant where the food is needed. therefore un- less there Is moisture conserved in the soll for these purposes, failure or partial loss is sure to follow
 some plants are large users of water and these are the kinds that give us the fruits and vegetables that are the most tasteful and highly prized upor our tables, other plants are drought resisting and will stand neglect in the supply Of water. yet nevertheless they VIII give better results when water is gwen them at regular periods accord ing to their need. It IS well known that plants respond quickly to care and attention and are just as quick tg resent neglect; this applies specially to the Towering plants which 20 fo Deautify home surroundings. Other plants such as varieties of cactus are almost independent of direct applica- tion Of water and these are a mystery at present demanding the attention of the best government botanist and chemists, but the writer is disposed to think that cactus and other plants chemically manufacture or evolve wa ter sufficient for their need from that part of their food they draw from the atmosphere. These kind of plants are often good foods for man and beast but at present cut no figure in the Salt River valley. yet what has been written goes to prove the varied wants of plant life and that various Kinds of catering is necessary for their successful manipulation, and it is sin cerely hoped that Mir. Howard Reed and his assistants will be able to find plan for applying the water of this valley so as to enable it and it's farm CTS to develop the highest and best products of plant life that it is able to do.
 Phoenix, June 22.