WATER IN AGRICULTURE. 157 



to that favored class who labor on more perfect 

 soil, where the plant pabulum is present in lavish 

 abundance. Aside from the labor of the husband- 

 man, which is so essential to the growth of plants, 

 there are other forces and agents which are of still 

 higher importance. These are supplied by nature, 

 and are placed beyond our control. Without water, 

 all our various forms of fertilizers would remain 

 dormant in the soil. The wonderful solvent pow- 

 ers of water are indispensable in the process of 

 vital chemical action. In itself it is a marvellous 

 liquid. It is so common, so abundant, and enters 

 so universally into all the movements and concerns 

 of life, that we are not often led to reflect upon 

 its chemical composition or its physical properties. 

 Like many other inestimable blessings, its very 

 cheapness and universality remove it from the field 

 of thought, and its extraordinary life-giving capa- 

 bilities are unrecognized. We can certainly dwell 

 with profit upon a theme so common as common 

 water. The farmer has much to do with the liquid, 

 and it has much to do with and for him. It is safe 

 to say that half of his strength and energy is spent 

 in its transportation from one point to another. 

 The amount of force in the aggregate required to 

 move it during each year, is greater than is ex- 

 pended in all other work upon the farm. In the 

 spring the labor begins by turning up with the 



