The Delta independent., 1908-01-10
CULTIVATION AND IRRlGA-
TION OF THE ORCHARD.

With the great variation in types of
soil found in our fruit-growing sections
it is impossible to lay down any def
mite rules for the application of water
or cultivation of the orchard. Each
grower has problem of his own and
he alone can best solve it. However.
few important principles may be sug-
gested which will aid the observing
orchardist in the proper handling of his
particular soil. Careful observation
and common sense will do much to over
come difficulties now commonly expert
enced in irrigation fruit growing.
Many of our soils are too heavy to be
easily handled under irrigation as COM
monty practiced. With frequent irriga-
tions and meager cultivation they be-
come hard and refuse to take water
properly. Careful irrigation and more
rigorous cultivation will do much to
overcome this difficulty. Heavy soils
should be plowed from six to eight
inches deep at least once each year.
The destruction of small roots by the
plow will do no damage, while the
breaking of larger roots may be avoided
by shallow plowing near the tree. The
plowing should be done preferably in
fall or early winter. This gives an
opportunity to settle the soil by winter
and early spring civilizations. The rain
and snowfall of winter also do much to
settle the plowed land. Orchards
plowed in late winter or spring are
generally watered with difficulty. The
loose condition of the soil allows the
water to escape freely from the ditch.
When once outside the confines of the
ditch, the lateral movements of the
water are much more rapid than the
downward, and as result. the surface
benefits generally derived from plowing
are lost. The soil is run together, and
before it is in shape to cultivate, it is
hard and baked. This is especially
true of the soil at the upper end of the
orchard, when an attempt is made to
water long rows in newly plowed land.
This is also suggestion to those who
have crop to plow under in the old
orchard or land to prepare for the
young orchard. The earlier this crop
can be turned under the better. The
young orchard on late plowed alfalfa
land often makes a poor start on ac-
count of the excessive amount of water
taken by these loose soils.
In the practice of irrigation many
growers fail to take into consideration
gators of long experience with the
particular piece of land can properly
water it by examination of the surface
soil alone. The careful irrigator relies
upon frequent examination of the SUBJ
soil to guide him in the application of
water. With the possible exception of
very sandy soils, the matter of proper
cultivation is greatly simplified by
watering in deep bitches. The surface
soil is saved from a thorough wetting
and the bitches may be foated full
within twenty-four or forty-eight hours
turning off the water. Too often water
ing IN shallow bitches makes it impos-
sible to get team upon the ground be-
fore the bottom of the bitches is baked
like brick. The bitches should always
be filled before the surace begins to
crust Not a word can be said in de-
fense of the too common practice of
leaving the bitches open during the
entire season. The distance or length
of rows through which water can be
successfully run will depend much on
the character of the soil and the grade.
1t is safe to say. however, the shorter
the run the better. Though it neces
states additional head bitches. better
results will come from breaking the
long rows up into shorter runs. Where
long runs cannot be avoided, it is al
ways best to start the burrows with
large head of water. By rushing the
water through the rows and then shut
ting it down just enough to carry
through, it is possible to do more uni
form watering. Heavy watering at
greater intervals is always preferable
to light and frequent waterings. Heavy
waterings, however, should be followed
by prompt and frequent civilizations.
Frequent waterings are detrimental to
proper soil aeration, and without air,
roots connot grow. This explains why
overwhelming is especially detrimental
to young trees. The young orchard
which receives thorough watering
once month, supplemented by care
/ fts1 rtt1ttuoftan bat n
than one watered every ten days and