The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1911-09-07
WATER FOR ORCHARDS
No Definite Rules Can Be Set
Down for Irrigation.
system That Would Be Entirely Prae-
ticaI for One Would Not Neees-
sarlIy Be Adapted for
Another.

No definite rules can be laid down
for the proper irrigation OF orchards.
Each farmer should work out his own
system Of irrigation as 1t varies with
each locality, kind of soil and diher-
emit fruits grown. writes John Viesins
in the Northwestern Stockman and
Farmer. A system that would be prac-
ticable for one orchard may not BIO at
all adapted for another.
Tho water IL usually brought to tho
land in open bitches. Openings are
made in the bank to bring 1t to the
burrows, or wooden or iron spouts are
inserted in the ditch bank. Wooden
or cement fumes are more efncient In
delivering the water to the land al
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
burrows until the moisture has pene-
trated the soil deeply by percolation
SO as to come in contact with the
moisture of the adjoining burrows.
The burrows are made about eight
inches deep 80 that the surface soil
will not get soaked up too much. This
allows cultivation to be done as soon
as the water stops running and 1t
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 on 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 600 feet.
The grade Of the burrows varies
quite idely. On fat ground it is often
not possible to obtain fall greater than
one inch per 100 feet. while on steep
slopes the fall may reach 20 inches
per 100 feet. A grade of three to four
inches is to be preferred and where
the fall exceeds eight to ten inches
per 100 feet the trees should have
been planted in such way as to de-
crease the slope of the burrows.
The number of burrows to be made
depends on the age Of the trees. the
space between the rows. and the
character of the soil. Young orchards
are usually irrigated by furrow on
each side of the row, or in such or
chards one furrow may be run along
each row and a ring furrow 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
rows must be closer together than in
heavy soil where the water does not
penetrate 60 rapidly. From four to
eight burrows are usually required
where rows are 80 feet apart.
The time to irrigate varies greatly.
The orchard that goes into winter in
the proper condition does not need
so early an irrigation in the spring.
Frequent examinations Of stem.
branches. foliage and fruit should be
made. This is. however. not always a
sure guide. The soil should be ex-
amined to depth of three or four
feet One should find out where the
bulk of the feeding roots are To-
Gated. ascertain the nature Of the
soil around them. and make tests as
to the moisture which 1t contains.
Different fruits require different times
Of irrigation.