American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1911-09-07
WATER FOR ORCHARDS
No Definite Rules Can Be Set
Down for Irrigation.
System That Wouis BE Entirely prae-
teal for One Would Not Neees-
sariiy BE Adapted for
Another.

No definite rules can be laid down
for the proper irrigation of orchards
Each farmer should work out his WI
system Of irrigation as 1t varies with
each locality, kind of soil and differ
ent fruits grown. writes John viesirg
In the Northwestern Stocbman and
Farmer. A system that would be prac-
ticable for one orchard may no be at
all adapted for another.
Tie water is Usually brought to the
land in open bitches. Openings are
made in the bank to bring it to the
burrows, or wooden or iron spouts ara
inserted in the ditch bank. Wooden
or cement fumes are more efficient In
delivering the water to the land as
there Is less loss by seapage. In some
sections OF the country pipes are be-
ing used successfully. These are
placed beneath the surface OF the
ground and standpipes are located at
intervals to deliver the water to the
burrows.
The furrow method Is the one most
commonly used and with very good
results. The aim Is to allow small
streams c. water tr run through the
burrows until the moisture has pene-
trated the soil deeply by percoiation
so as to come In contact with the
moisture of the adjoining burrows.
Tire burrows are made about eight
inches deep SO that the surface soil
VIII not get soaked up toe mr-h. This
allows cultivation to be done as soon
as the water stops running and II
thereby prevents the baking of the
soil.
The length of the burrows may vary
and 1t is largely Influenced by the
size of the orchard. Professor Gull
bertson of California has reached the
conclusion that IN sandy or gravely
soil. having a steep slope. the proper |
length Of the burrows is 200 feet. while |
on heavier soils and flatter slopes the
length may be increased to 900 feet
The grade OF the burrows varies
quite idely. On fat ground It IL often
possible to obtain fall greater than
one Incl per 100 feet, while on steep
the fall may reach 20 inches
per 100 feet A grade of three to four
is to be preferred and where
the fall exceeds eight to ten inches
per 100 feet the trees should have
been planted in such a way as to de-
crease the slope of the burrows.
The number Of burrows to be made
depends IN the age Of the trees. the
space between the rows. and the
OF the soil. Young orchards
are usually irrigated by a furrow on
each side of the row. or In such or
chards one furrow may be run along
each row and a rims fur-ow made
around each tree. In bearing orchards
the number Of burrows must be deter
mined by the grower himself. Sandy
soils take water freely and the fur
must be closer together than in
heavy soil where the water does not
penetrate so rapidly. From four to
burrows are usually required
where rows are 80 feet apart
The time to irrigate varies greatly.
rhe orchard that goes into winter IN
he proper condition does not need
10 early an irrigation in the spring.
frequent examinations OF stem.
branches, foliage and fruit should be
This is. however. not always a
Iure guide. The soil should be ex-
to a depth of three or four
eet. One should find out where the
'ulk of the feeding roots are To-
ated. ascertain the nature of the
oil around them. and make tests as
o the moisture which 1t contains.
fruits require different times {
( irrigation. 4,