The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-06-08
POINTS ON METHODS
OF IRRIGATION
BysGordon G. Brown

The writer suggests that irrigation
be generally applied now to our orch
ards. This applies not only in the
Lower Valley but also in the Upper
Valley. 1t is perfectly evident that
losses of soil moisture during the past
two weeks have been enormous. The
wind has exerted strong evaporating
influence especially on account of the
heat and dry atmosphere. The orchard
1 may not need additional moisture now,
but the growers should avoid letting
this be depleted. Ideal moisture con-
ditions obtain at present in most orch
ards, especially where thorough culti-
vation has been gi~en. AS a matter of
fact tillage operations this year have
been more thoroughly done than has
been true for several years.
The writer has consistently urged
the need of uniformity of soil moisture
Throughout the entire growing season
If best results are to be expected.
This means iFrigating more frequently
than is often done. The alternate dry
ing of our soils followed by excessive
irrigation cannot give best results.
Dry-rot is often associated with such
practices although this is not always
so. Furthermore. irrigation in such
manner is wasteful, and much more
difficult to perform. Efficient irriga-
tion is based on the idea that moisture
attracts moisture by capillarity. A
dry soilis filled with air which must
be forced out before irrigation water
can occupy the spaces between the soil
particles. On the other hand irriga- |
tion water readily enters a moist soil |
and will continue to do so until it |
reaches the saturation point.
Deep furrows are preferable to shall |
low furrOws for general orchard use. |
They should be extensivelysemployed |
for land under clean culture and for /
steep slopes. BY using deep burrows in
clean cultivated orchards irrigation
water can be applied without wetting
q great amount of the surface soil.
Cultivation can be practiced immedi-
ately following irrigation, thus filling
the furrows and covering the wet soil.
This cannot be done where shallow
burrows are used and the surface Of
the land becomes wet.
Deep burrows do not need to be as
numerous as shallow ones and the wa
ter can. be permitted to run longer in
them with desirable results on ali but
.oarse soils. The length of time water
s permitted to run, however, should
De closely watched for it differs ma
erially with the character and condi-
ion of the soil.
Three to five deep furrows for eachj
pace will give satisfactory results in
rrigating most orchards. When the ,
oil has been well built-up with green ,
rops the minimum number may be
Employed. Burrows of this character ,
nay be made with the ordinary turn ,
ng pillow, with a single shovel plow, or I
With multiple shovel furrowing imple- /
nents.
The writer urges the use of compar- q
Itivey short burrows, especially in the /
lighter soils. Six hundred feet should !
'e the maximum in heavy soils and not /
ver 800 feet in sandy soils. Very of !
en- 200 feet is better. Furthermore, :
se large heads of water where the !
ontour will permit. This will prevent
loss from seepage near the
cad fiume. When water is once we'll n
unning through the rills the head Of \
Gater may be reduced. I