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<br />I <br />l <br />I <br /> <br />~t.~8 <br /> <br />OPER,,\TION ,\ND MAINTENANCE <br /> <br />37 <br /> <br />as is indicated by the analysis of the softened water for June 1946 <br />when the hardness was increa~ed from 125 to 142 parts per million, <br /> <br />Eleclrolytic !Vater softelling <br /> <br />The results obtained from tests run on the small experimental <br />electrolytic water softening unit indicated the desirability and <br />feasibility of further tests on a larger scale. A larger unit of <br />this type is being designed for more complete investigation of the <br />operating characteristics of a commercial sized unit in order to <br />obtain reliable data for determining the economic feasibility of <br />this method of water softening on full plant scale. <br /> <br />Agriculturol ",at,er investiga.tions <br /> <br />Investigations concerning the suitability of Colorado River water <br />for the irrigation of agricultural and ornamental plants have been <br />continued both in the field and under controlled greenhouse con- <br />ditions. Earlier experiments have shown that most species of <br />,'horticultural plants commonly g..own in District cities can be <br />irrigated successfully with either the natural or softened Colorado <br />River water. During this season, the principal plants studied in <br />the greenhouse were the camellia, azalea, and fuchsia. but some <br />additional observations were made on begonia culture. The use <br />of sparingly soluble calcium minerals, such as calcium superphos. <br />phate or bone meal, stimulates the growth of many plants watered <br />with softened Colorado River water. In general, good growth of <br />plants irrigated with aqueduct water may be attained by the regu. <br />la.. application of balanced fertilizers, by' supplying a reserve <br />source of calcium in the potting soil, and by providing good _drain. <br />agein ordedliat an occasiolwlIeachillg of-the soil ~ay be practiced. <br />The 120 soil permeability test plots for determining the relative <br />efficiency of vari~us soil amendments in maintaining or restoring <br />favorable moisture infiltration rates are giving valuable informa- <br />'tion on soil structural and chemical changes as the soil is irrigated <br />with different kinds of water over a period of several years, Printed <br />suggestions for soil conditioning to improve its permeability to <br />irrigation water and rainfall, based on the data obtained from these <br />experiments, were made available to interested growers this year, <br />II,- the 13.5 acre or:u'ge grove irrigation experiment on District <br />groves at La Verne, the trees are being irrigated with natural and <br />softened Colorado River water and local well water, This test <br />conducted in cooperation with the University of California was <br />