American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1911-04-15
when in the nusery.

n this method is carried OUT the
soil will be settled firmly around az,
the roots the same as with an ola
tree and growth will commence as
soon as the weather warns up.
A large per cent Of all losses IN
transplanting is caused by the roofs
being allowed to dry put in ransi
or by setting out trees haphazardiy
In dry soil. One is always well re-
paid for the care he takes in plant
ing trees.
During the first season an irri-
cation furrow along each tree row
will be sufficient, but during the sec
ond an irrigation furrow should be
run along each side Of the tree row.
AS the roots spread during the sue
ceeding years. more and more OF the
area between the rows must be IT.
rigated.
Cultivation, Of course, must go
hand in hand with irrigation, for
much moisture can be saved by
maintaining a dust mulch on the
surface. My department has shown
by repeated experiments that there
is four times as much evaporation
from an uncultivated field in a
single month as from one covered
with dry 3-inch soil mulch. Deeper
mulches are also more effective in
retaining moisture, for it was shown
that there was sixteen times as niue
evaporation from uncultiyated soil
as one covered with a 9-inch mulch.
This shows strikingly the effective
ness Of cultivation in retaining mOis
ture. This is not the only advantag
however, as cultivation stirs up and
aerates the soil as well, which is al
so highly desirable and beneficial.
ments have demonstrated the fact
Years of observation and expert
ments have demonstrated the fact
that soils must not be saturated at
any time, If good results are to be
secured. Plants and trees require
that there be some air in the soil,
and seem to do best when about
half of the pore space Of the soil is
filled with air and the other halt
with water. Thus We see the harm
full effects that may result from
over irrigation which fills all of the
pore spaces and drives out the air
which is 81 essential.
Different soils and seasons will
require a different number of irri-
cations during the season, and for
this reason no hard and fast rule
can be laid down as to the number
of irrigations in a season. An ex-
perienced irrigator seems to know
by intuition when his crop needs IT.
rigation, but this can not always be
upon by the beginner. A
good way to tell when trees need
is to dig down into the
soil near the roots and examine the
soil. If the soil retains its shape
when squeezed in the hand there is
probably sufficient moisture. but
If 1t has a tendency to fall apart,
the trees should be irrigated at once
Much experimentation must yet
be done before we are able
to tell as to what times during the
season the trees need the most water
Dur experiment station should be
now working along this line.
A few general truths are self
evident, however, and have already
teen demonstrated. There is a
seriod when the fruit increases rap
.dly in size. This. with apples. is
In June and July, during
which time the trees must not be
allowed to want for water.
Young trees grow very rapidly,
md cases are common in which the
Toung shoots r killed and the
ruined by early fall frosts..
Water should not be put on young
after August 20 or September
|. but should be withheld in order
hat the rapid growth should stop
md the wood tougher up before the
freezes.
Many inquiries have been receiv-
d during the past year in regard
the water requirements of orch
'rds. This has never been fixed
very narrow limits. 1t un-
luestionably varies with the class of
oil and sub-soil, and with the eli
nate as well az with the irrigator.
have been earring on the largest
uty of water investigation during
he past year that was ever attempt
d. In cooperation with the state |
asineer | have measured the yields
reduced and the water used upon
yer 100 different fields in different
arts of the state. and some very in
.resting results have been secured.
Unfortunately. no orchards were
lcluded in the investigation but we
re able to reason back very closely
'om what was required by other
rops. such as potatoes, ETC., and
u OF the opinion that from one to
the season will be found suffi-
and one-half feet in depth dur
ent for orchards. This amount viii
. supplied during the season with
trifle less than one-half a miners
lch per acre. The investigation
Ill be carried on again during the
'ming year and 1t Is hoped to in-
Hide orchards In the investigation.
IN summing up the many factorsll
AtNhf thu lApOh a uA{~< -r,- - III