The Lamar register., 1909-06-30
THE IRRIGATION
OF AN ORCHARD
LAND SHOULD FIRST BE PRE-
PARED BY GRADING AS EVEN
LY AS POSSIBLE.
PLANT TO MATCH GRADE
USUALLY BEST NOT TO IRRIGATE
AT ALL DURING TIME OF
RiPENlNG.
BY II. C. Richardson.


The irrigation of an orchard neces-
sarily carries with it the preparation
of the land for unless it is properly
prepared 1t is impossible to irrigate
an orchard or any other crop for that
matter so as to obtain the best re-
suits Even distribution of water is
essential-just the amount required
for each particular crOp-and this can
only be accomplished by properly pre-
pairing, the ground in the beginning.
something so often neglected by the
majority of us all. Soil, location,
drainage and climatic conditions also
have to be considered. II one has
time means and assistance at COM
to plant a crop besides trees, or cult
vate the land SO as TO keep the weeds
under control, 1t is well to pillow and
grade it so that the water will follow
a furrow the desired distance without
flowing over.
All high places which prevent water
from flowing readily should be re-
moved into lower places. SO that the
grade may be as nearly uniform as
possible. II 1t SO happens that the
preparing OF the whole ground would
delay the planting of trees, a very good
way and one have employed with sat
isfactory results is TO plow and grade
a strip six or eight feet wide where
the rows of trees will come. and then
set the trees They are then in the
right place with room to till and irri-
gate them for two years II necessary.
and each year thereafter some of the
land can be graded until it is all In
good order to evenly distribute the
water and reduce the amount used to
a minimum. The time and labor saved
each year will pay for the whole thing
unless 1t be a very difficult piece to
level.
An orchard should be set with view
to irrigating, having the rows running
with the lay of the land, for when ir-
rigation is begun one will discover the
full meaning of the old saying that
water runs down hill The land once
properly prepared and the main ditch
from which the water Is drawn for
the laterals, made on the most level
part of the tract to be irrigated. the
irrigation of an orchard is not quite so
much of q problem. Care should be
taken not to try to run water too long
a distance, for In that case II would
require SO much water In the burrows
that 1t will not only cut and wash the
ground. but also require SO long to get
the water through that the upper
trees near the main ditch will receive
more moisture than is necessary. while
those farther away will not get enough.
The distance water can be most prof
itably run in ditch depends some
what upon the ground. but in a great
majority of cases I would advise not
more than forty rods. While trees are
small they can be irrigated very well
from a single lateral. changing sides
of the row every time irrigated. Trees
and fruit appear to do quite as well
when irrigated on one side at a time
as when irrigated on both sides, al
ways being careful that the moisture
extends beyond the lateral roots. After
trees have grown to considerable size
| have found it very good way to fur
row out the space between alternate
rows and irrigate one-half OF the
ground at time.
This method saves water and at the
same time insures moisture for the lat
eral roots, which is of utmost impor-
lance. Roots grow much faster and
extend out from the tree farther than
might appear at first thought. | pre-
fer to irrigate peaches. apricots. plums.
etc. at least a week before picking
time and not while the fruit is ripen-
ing. for 1t Injuries the flavor and does
not add materially to the size. usu-
ally apples do not need to be irrigated
later than the LIST of September-un-
less. possibly, the Ben Davis. That
apple always does better for me when
| give 1t all it can drink up to within
our weeks Of picking time.