anaheim-gazette 1909-04-22

DISTRIBUTION OF WATER IN THE SOIL AFTER IRRIGATION Report on Investigation of Furrow Irrigation Made by Prof. Loughridge of the State University Irrigation is practiced more generally in the valleys of Southern California than in any other part of the state; and because of the low rainfall, the large area under cultivation and the continually increasing number of citrus orchards, the orchardists are realizing the importance of either a greater water supply or some means of utilizing better the amount now on hand. An increase of the supply seems to be improbable, for apparently all the available local soufces have been developed. A more economical use of the available supply is then the only way in which new orchards and new fields may be provided for without injury to those at present in bearing. The question of economy resolves itself into the following: What amount of water should an orchard have for best productiveness? What becomes of the water that is given to an orchard under the present irrigation practice? How much is lost to the plant or tree, and how may this loss be stopped? It was decided at the beginning of this investigation to confine the work to determining what becomes of the water when applied to the land. This embraces the amount lost by surface evaporation and the extent in area and depth to which the water percolates beneath the furrows, as well as the proportion retained by the soil or available to the trees. The region of Riverside, in Southern California, was selected as the water in loam soils is downward great irregularity in rate of pH and in the amount of water re-attained at various depths. The water neath the surface does not move the furrows toward the trees more than two feet, and at a below two feet the wet area is rapidly contracted to a cone. The soils in the tree rows, fore, fail to receive any of the irrigation water, and the dry sparse creases in width and extent ward; the tree roots, which are confined to the upper three are thus only partially supplied needed moisture. 3. The relative proportion of soil to that wetted by irrigation ross 16 furrows and four trees in the sandy loam soil, was added to three in a depth of five feet seen in the profiles, the prope are as follows, taking the dry unit: Surface foot, 1 to 3.4 and foot, 1 to 4.3; third foot, 1 fourth foot, 1 to 0.8; fifth foot, 0.4; and sixth foot, 1 to 0.1. 4. The depth reached by the colation of irrigation water depends on the nature of the soils and length of time of flow; in the structured loose soil it was 26 feet deep, the head ditch, four feet in the dale, and about the same at 36 from the end, and many feet from the excess was received. In the pact, semi-impervious soil it ed a depth of four feet, while the impervious hardpan soil depth was but little more than this investigation to confine the work to determining what becomes of the water when applied to the land. This embraces the amount lost by surface evaporation and the extent in area and depth to which the water percolates beneath the furrows, as well as the proportion retained by the soil or available to the trees. The region of Riverside, in Southern California, was selected as the field of investigation because of the special interest manifested in the results by orangegrowers and because a leading land company generously gave the use of its orchards, together with every facility in the matter of water and in part the labor. We were ably assisted by Messrs. J. E. Roadhouse, O. W. Bryant and R. McL. Fortier in the field work and in the compilation of results. The furrow system of irrigation is used in the orchards around Riverside, some irrigators preferring five and others four furrows between tree rows. With five furrows the water is delivered to the land in greater volume and spreads laterally more rapidly and to a greater extent, and there is consequently a greater loss of evaporation. Water exists in the soil chiefly in two conditions, namely, hygroscopic and free, the former being that which is held as a thin film covering the surface of each grain of soil and not free to move except when vaporized by heat, while the free water is that which is free to move from place to place in soils, either by percolation under the influence of gravity or by capillarity under the influence of surface tension. The free water is alone to be regarded as of any value in promoting growth and productiveness, and in the following pages it alone is mentioned. Its movement is limited by the texture and water-holding power of the soil. The height to which it will rise above the source is controlled by the soil texture. The coarser the soil the less in height will water rise by capillarity. The depth of percolation for a given amount of water is limited by the water capacity and freedom of movement. The amount of water held by soil when the downward movement was always greatest in upper two feet and diminished percentage to the bottom. Thus the general average of the trench in orchard 58 we found was nine furrows 9.95 per cent in first foot, 11.19 in the second, 9.54 in the third, and 8.27 per cent in fourth foot. The presence of an impervious hardpan near the surface causes sidewise seepage of the water greater wetting of the surface consequent increased loss by evaporation and by accumulation and off at the lower end of the furrow. Shallow irrigation furrows give as good results as deep they allow a large part of the water to rise by capillarity to the surface on either side and thence to escape into the air by evaporation, while deep furrows enable the soil to receive and retain nearly all of the ter applied. The furrows in orchard 58 have average depth of three or four inches and from these the lateral page was so great as to wet an 85 per cent of the space between tree rows. During the three day irrigation in which these soils being kept wet the rate of evaporation was very high. After this soil gradually dried out and the diminished. On loose sandy loam's water colates with such rapidity near head ditch that a great part is by passing far below the roots possibly into sand and gravel through which it flows away. the following pages it alone is mentioned. Its movement is limited by the texture and water-holding power of the soil. The height to which it will rise above the source is controlled by the soil texture. The coarser the soil the less in height will water rise by capillarity. The depth of percolation for a given amount of water is limited by the water capacity and freedom of movement. The soil beneath the furrows can be examined easily, and the results are often full of surprises for the irrigator. In some of the orange orchards in the regions of both Corona and Riverside it was found by examination that after a three days' run of the water it had reached a depth of only 10 or 12 inches, instead of several feet as it should have done. Over 50 pages of details of the investigations are given of which the summary is: The following is a brief summary of the results obtained in the orchards near Riverside as detailed above 1. The preliminary examination of the land of the orchard before irrigation showed that the upper two feet held only about 3.5 per cent of free water as the general average, while below this to the depth of 13 feet the average was 6.16 per cent. The roots of the trees were mostly confined to the upper four feet and in this depth there was an average of 4.68 per cent, an amount sufficient to maintain a good appearance in the trees but not to produce any new growth; the application of irrigation water caused increased growth. 2. The unobstructed movement of irrigation in which these soils being kept wet the rate of evaporation was very high. After this soil gradually dried out and diminished. 8. On loose sandy loam's water colates with such rapidity nearly head ditch that a great part is by passing far below the roots possibly into sand and gravel strata through which it flows away. It on orchard 58 the depth of percolation was 26 feet at a distance of feet from the ditch. 9. In orchards with shallow mues it was observed that the amount of water in the soil six weeks after irrigation was about the same as previous to the application of water. The rapidity of movement of water into a soil from the irrigation funnel and the rate at which it is carried into the lower soil strata is a matter of special importance to trees whose roots must be in contact with it and to the orchardist wishes the soil to absorb all its sibly can and thus avoid waste either run-off or evaporation into air. Beyond this the orchardist a rule, seems to have no thought takes for granted that the soil attributes the water properly to roots. The fallacy of this reliance on the soil has been frequently even by examination after irrigation. AFTER IRRIGATION Made by Prof. R. H. University Soils is downward with clarity in rate of progress amount of water retained depths. The water be surface does not move toward the trees for two feet, and at a depth not the wet area is usuallyracted to a cone shape. In the tree rows, there receive any of the irri- and the dry space in-width and extent down-tree roots, which usually to the upper three feet, may partially supplied with moisture. Native proportion of dry wetted by irrigation acrows and four tree rows loam soil, was as two a depth of five feet. As profiles, the proportions taken the dry soil as surface foot, 1 to 3.4; sec-4.3; third foot, 1 to 2.3; to 0.8; fifth foot, 1 to foot, 1 to 0.1. With reached by the per-irrigation water depends on the soils and the ease of flow; in the unob-sil soil it was 26 feet near four feet in the mid-out the same at 30 feet, and many feet where received. In the com-pervious soil it reach-of four feet, while in us hardpan soil the little more than 12 in-when it was shown that the water had penetrated to a depth of only a foot or less after a three days' flow in the furrows. Every orchardist should know his land thoroughly, with regard to its richness in elements of fertility, and especially with reference to its physical characteristics to depths of six or more feet, its relation to percolation, and its retention of irrigation water. N. G. C. HEADQUARTERS Los Angeles Takes Place Hitherto Held by San Francisco Emanating from Adjt.-Gen. Lauck's office in Sacramento, orders have been issued that will turn the amateur military world upside down. It is a peaceful revolution that the military gentlemen will contend with this time, but it will be as great a shock, nevertheless, as if it were really some thing sanguinary. The fact that it comes with scarcely any warning is what will hurt. San Francisco will get the full force of the blow. For the first time in her history since the state militia was organized she will be without either a division or brigade headquarters. She will lose one of the most efficient officers in the national guard service, Brig.-Gen. John A. Koster, who is rendered supernumerary by the new orders. But the salt to the new wounds will be the knowledge that what is going to be San Francisco's loss will be Los Angeles' gain. For Los Angeles will be the headquarters for the only brigadier-general left in California. Gen. Wankowski will be the whole thing, while Gen. Koster will have retired. NEW PEST AT LOS ANGELES TIMELY WARNING IS HORTICULTURAL CONSIGNERS Appearance of Aphis on Prune Trees On arm—Drastic Measures A Prevent Spread — Ranchers As the aphis, a pest that stone fruit trees, has made pearance near Los Angeles, serve, chairman of the board ticultural commissioners of city, has issued a timely wa ranchmen, which is, in par-lows: "Any person who has planted peach trees within the last years should very carefully the young and tender growth of aphis. It is a small, shining bug in the adult form, and yellowish brown in the immature dition. Do not confound species with the black aphis orange, or green lice on plants." "Two years ago several peach trees, infested with were found in a Los Angeles tree sales yard, and promoted. As they had been pruned from another nurseryman, we an extensive business, an inch of his stock was made at all trees believed to be infest likewise destroyed. Other eastern importation may ha sold prior to our discovery, viduals and other nurserymen." "The seriousness of this inside from the great injury from damage to trees lies in." MOTOR CAR'S TRIAL TRIP Santa Fe "Wind-Splitter" Goes 138 Miles in Five and Half Hours The practicability of the big gasoline motor car, nicknamed "The Wind-splitter," was successfully demonstrated by the Santa Fe on the trial trip from Los Angeles to Redlands, on Thursday. The car, which left Los Angeles at 7:30 o'clock for its first trip, returned to the Santa Fe depot at 1 o'clock, making the round trip distance of one hundred and thirty-eight miles, including stops, in five and one-half hours. John J. Byrne, assistant passenger traffic manager; J. R. Hitchcock, superintendent of the Los Angeles division, and C. J. Birchfield, advertising manager of the Los Angeles division, were in charge of the car and were well satisfied with its performance. No attempt was made to break records, and the car arrived at the different stops according to the arranged schedule. Mr. Bryne said during the trip that who is rendered supernumerary by the new orders. But the salt to the new wounds will be the knowledge that what is going to be San Francisco's loss will be Los Angeles' gain. For Los Angeles will be the headquarters for the only brigadier-general left in California. Gen. Wankowski will be the whole thing, while Gen. Koster will have retired. The changes are all made according to a bill that passed the last legislature, which followed the lines laid down by the Dick congressional bill for the reorganization of the militia. In rearranging the N.G.C., Adjt. Gen. Lauck had no choice. Gen. Wankowski is assigned to the command of the reorganized first brigade because he is the senior brigadier-general of the line. The brigade will hereafter consist of the second, fifth and seventh infantry regiments and their absorption means the placing on the retired list of not only Gen. Koster, but many additional officers. "The seriousness of this inside from the great injury from damage to trees, lies in my great difficulty in eradicating aphis when once established its family, in general, it has form asserted the year through during the fall and winter to the ground. With the new growth in the spring, the emerges from the soil and the tree to this new growth, mence its round of mischief, pagates on leaf and root with endous rapidity. "A thorough inspection of trees in the vicinity of the mentioned, has located the peran area equal to one city block we are in hopes that it is not to this section. "These trees were fumigate cyanide process, and the three feet around each tree treated to bisulphide of carbon this action fails to finish the career in this plot of ground drastic measures will be taken careful watch will be continue this infected district, for any pearance of the insect until it ger is apparently passed. "In the printed matter con this insect in the east, its are confined to the peach trunk in this case of ours, it has been found upon the peach, apricot prune, establishing the knot that all stone fruits may be to its attack. "If the aphis manifests itself portion of our county, a promotion to this office may provide wide-spread injury; in fact, disaster to our extensive peading industry. Unless it has a general diffusion over a large we may be able to stop its spread." Until our nurserymen cease which these soils were at the rate of evaporation high. After this the dried out and the loss sandy loam's water per much rapidity near the at a great part is lost below the roots and gravel strata, it flows away. Thus in the depth of percolation at a distance of 30 mitch. likely doubtful that watch of more than five root systems will be to the trees in times for the capillary rise low, and especially so future of the soil be low. with shallow mulch-erved that the amount of soil six weeks after about the same as just application of water. of movement of water on the irrigation furrow that it is carried by soil strata is a matter importance to the roots must be in contact with the orchardist who to absorb all it positus avoid waste by evaporation into this the orchardist, as do have no thought and noted that the soil disaster properly to the lacy of this reliance has been frequently pro-tection after irrigation, Mr. Bryne said during the trip that gasoline motor cars are destined to become an important factor in the handling of the passenger business of Southern California. He said his company proposed to place other cars in service between San Bernardino and San Jacinto, and on the Escondido line, and in the San Joaquin valley. He said a gasoline car costs $19,-000, a little more than the regular Pullman cars. The operation of the gasoline motors will result in a great saving in comparison with the cost of running local trains. The car contains a six-cylinder gasoline engine and averages 200 horse power. The gasoline tank will hold 120 gallons. Three o four gallons to the mile runs the car. From seventy to eighty persons can be carried. This car, which is one of the two ordered by the company, the other to be used in Texas, was brought 1,-965 miles from the factory at Omaha to Los Angeles by J. C. Taylor, a representative. During the trip here the car consumed 543 gallons of gasoline I am buying produce for cash. Call and see me. I. Asher, office 314 E. Center, opposite opera-house. "If the aphis manifests itself portion of our county, a promo-fication to this office may pre-wide-spread injury; in fact, disaster to our extensive peac-ing industry. Unless it has a general diffusion over a large we may be able to stop its spread. "Until our nurserymen cease ing stock from the east, and ers, also, this danger will al- ist. The nurseryman who will tise local grown trees only, have the advantage in future. President Ripley of the Sa- and wife, arrived in Fullerton day evening in their special c Ripley next day went to the o by auto to look over the com- extensive properties there. I not visited the Fullerton oil w several years. Peter S HEADQ FRESH Kansas Consignments of RePhones Sunset 237 Home 1103 WARNING ISSUED BY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONERS "Moon" Buggies are famous all over the earth. If ever you've seen one, you well know its worth. Its "fifth wheel," for instance you can bend but not break it. Come and see how it's built, and you surely will take it. WM. F. LUTZ CO. Santa Ana. Stationery Give it serious consideration. Select it as you do a piece of dress goods. Don't say, "Any old thing will do." It's a double pleasure for your friend to receive a letter written on good stationery. And buy it at HATZFELD'S, where you have a variety of stock to select from, and can get the best qualities. Our special pound package for polite correspondence is a winner. Hatzfeld's Drug Store Near Post Office, Anaheim, Cal. Commercial Hotel FIRST-CLASS DINING ROOM AND BAR Handsomely Furnished Rooms Everything neat and clean A home for the Traveling Public A trial will convince. JOHN ZIEGLER, Manager DR. W. W. ADAMS OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN Graduate of American School of Osteopathy of Kirksville, Mo, Office and Residence: 116 Philadelphia St. A home for the Traveling Public A trial will convince. JOHN ZIEGLER, Manager DR. W. W. ADAMS OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN Graduate of American School of Osteopathy of Kirksville, Mo. Office and Residence: 116 Philadelphia St. Office Hours: 10 to 12; 1 to 4. Phone No. Main 77 Residence Phone Main 1131 Office Phone Main 1141 DR. JOHN H. BOEGE DENTIST Office, Mullinix Building HOURS 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. Evenings By Appointment W. Harold Wickett, M. D. Res. Phones, Main 8X8, Home 868. Herbert A. Johnston, M. D. Res. Phones, Main 82, Home 862. Drs. Johnston & Wickett Office Hours, 11-12, 2-4, 7-8. Office Phones, Main 81, Home 861. Offices, 810 B. Los Angeles Street. J. L. BEEBE, M. D. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON. Office and res. cor. Center and Palm Sts Office hours: 2 to 4, 7 to 8 p.m. Both Phones. ANAHEIM, Cal. F. C. SPENCER ATTORNEY-AT-LAW Notary Public Odd Fellows' Block, Center Street Anaheim, Cal. VICTOR MONTGOMERY ATTORNEY-AT-LAW Attention given to Probate Business Commercial Bank Building. Santa Ana - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cal Tel. Black 791 au28-6m RICHARD MELROSE ATTORNEY-AT-LAW and NOTARY PUBLIC Office Center St Special attention given to Probate Matters ANAHEIM, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cal. F. BACKS Undertaker Dealer in Furniture, Wall Paper Cornices, Window Shades, Picture Frames Upholstery Goods, Paints, Oils, and Glass RIPLEY of the Santa Fe, arrived in Fullerton Thursdays in their special car. Mr. Day went to the oil wells look over the company's properties there. He has the Fullerton oil wells in Kansas Hard-wheat Flour Signments of Staple and Fancy Groceries Received Daily. PETER STOFFEL, Prop.