Part III.] Pond Fish Culture. 195 



we not remember that it was not intended for this generation 

 alone, but for the generations that are to come as well ; should 

 we not take thought in this matter, lest by our improvidence 

 we commit sins that will be visited upon our children for many 

 generations to come? 



In the general treatment of this subject we desire to base 

 our conclusion upon facts ascertained by investigation, so far 

 as it is possible to do so; in some cases where scientific work 

 and investigation has not been carried on extensively it has 

 been necessary to draw conclusions based upon our knowledge 

 of conditions as we found them. 



KANSAS WATER SUPPLY. 



Almost the sole source of water supply for the state of Kan- 

 sas comes from the snow and rain that fall on the prairies 

 and woodlands of our own state. The Arkansas and Repub- 

 lican rivers are the only streams of any size that bring waters 

 from other states within our borders, and the amount actually 

 received from these sources is comparatively small. 



SOURCE AND DISPOSITION OF WATER SUPPLY. 



Using as data a number of calculations that have been 

 made, based upon the best information obtainable, of a rain- 

 fall that is well known over an area drained by certain well- 

 known rivers and the amount of water discharged by these 

 rivers, we have roughly calculated that about two-sixths, or 

 one-third, of the water that falls on Kansas soil is carried out 

 of the state by creeks and rivers; about one-sixth is directly 

 evaporated within a few days after it falls, either from surface 

 water or from water-soaked soils; and about three-sixths, or 

 one-half, soaks into the earth, to be given up more slowly for 

 the continuous growth of vegetation and for the supplying of 

 the deeper strata of earth and rocks. It is from this latter 

 source that springs and wells draw their supply of water. 



NATURE'S METHODS. 



By carefully studying nature's water system and the laws 

 by which it is governed man has not only been able to make 

 many special uses of the system, but has adapted it to his pur- 

 poses in developing many human interests and industries. 

 Man as an agriculturist soon learned that when the soil was 

 properly loosened up and cultivated it would hold more moist- 

 ure and give it up more slowly, two things essential to a good 

 growth of vegetation, and when considered together constitute 

 the basis of a good agricultural system. This idea, when prop- 

 erly developed and put into execution, will give a system of 

 agriculture that would conserve much of the water that was 

 formerly not only allowed to evaporate rapidly, but to run off 

 the lands in their uncultivated condition. 



