Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-07-18
IRRIGATION IN THE o"odAR[
One Thing Of Great Importance Is to
Secure Perfect Square in Plant
ing of Trees

The first thing to do, IL setting an
orchard. is to get a perfect square at
the corner OF the field where the dig
ging is 10 begin. Failing to get a per.
feet square, the trees will be out of
line ~diagonally across the orchard.
To make a neat job, the planter should
see rows OF trees any direction he may
look across the orchard. Take a meas-
ure the distance the rows are to be
apart, which should be at least 25 or
30 feet-make a sack full of survey
or's stakes and set a row all around
the plot just outside and out of the
way OF any row OF trees, writes Jesse
Bell in the Denver Field and Farm.
These We will call the permanent
stakes, and they should not be dis
turbed until the orchard is planted.
Take a can that will come up on
the bit and a man who al run a
straight row. Two men are used on
other to set the tall flag stakes. using
the permanent stakes by which to
set the flag stakes. Run the rows
first that parallel the head ditch. run
ming the ones last in the direction the
water is to flow. If the rows are
straight and measurements correct
the trees will line in every direction
if the holes are dug at the intersec-
ton OF the rows. After the last rows
are run, if one mar will stand on the
double tree. running through the irri-
eating rows again. two-thirds of the
work of digging the holes is done.
Use the same mark for irrigating.
The trees should be set about three
deeper than they were in the
nursery. When a bunch of trees is
taken from the pit. dip the roots in
water and cover at once with a wet
sack. keeping them covered until all
of the bunch is planted. Do not dis
tribute trees near the holes to be
dried out by the sun. Start setting at
the upper end. filling up two-thirds of
the hole with dry soil. When far
enough ahead to keep out of the way
OF the water. turn it in, letting it run
into the hole. filling it up and passing
on TO the next tree. When the water
has run for an hour or so. turn il of
and let the ground settle around the
roots. When the ground is settled
sufficiently, finish filling up the hole
with dry dirt. making a place for the
water to pass very close to the tree,
close enough at least to catch the
edge of the hole.
After the water has run through
enough to wet thoroughly. turn off and
let the ground settle again and the
trees should be Strengthened up. This
method packs the soil TO the roots as
the tree vas dug from the
nursery. Before the ground checks
enough to let the sun get to the roots
give one more watering in the same
mark. AS soon as the ground is dry
enough, TAXI a turning pillow and run a
furrow on each side of the row, filling
up all marks and use the burrows
made to irrigate the trees. During the
first month. irrigate at least once a
week. after that once in two weeks.
II this plan is followed and both trees
and ground are good. every one will
grow. Cut back one-half or t%o-thirds
OF the length of such twigs as are
wanted to make the lateral branches
OF he trees and such ones as are
not needed in heading the tree should
De cut close to the trunk.