the area which tend to restore the original natural relations 

 among the physical factors and prevent loss of water and 

 soils. We shall later give attention to one of the notable 

 planned developments of an entire small valley and its 

 watershed ; that of Coon Creek, " an adventure in cooperative 

 conservation" in west-central Wisconsin under the auspices 

 of the United States Soil Conservation Service. 



However desirable it is that a program be laid out for each 

 drainage area as a guide to the programs of small communities 

 and individuals within the area, the responsibility of the 

 individual is not diminished. Under any circumstance 

 individual responsibility is present. If there is such an area 

 program the individual must carry out that part of the plan 

 pertaining to his own property and set an example in coop- 

 eration. If there is not an area plan there still remains the 

 opportunity and responsibility for the individual to regulate 

 the conditions on his own land, for his own benefit and to set 

 an example of progressive action for his neighbors. Collec- 

 tive action by an entire small drainage area is often inspired 

 more by examples of forward-looking individuals than by 

 numerous pamphlets of information and exhortation. 



There is a technical reason why the individual may and 

 should take the initiative. The physical factors are such 

 that theoretically the beginning of water and soil regulation 

 and control should be at the raindrop and rill stage rather 

 than on larger bodies of water downstream. Practically, it 

 should be done at least simultaneously. For where there is a 

 series of dependent influences, regulation should begin with 

 the first of the series. Given erosion control of individual 

 farms, conditions are set for the establishment of ponds and 

 reservoirs on the farms; given erosion control and ponds and 

 reservoirs on individual farms, regulation of creeks and other 

 headwater streams by communities is more feasible; given 

 such regulation of an entire headwater area, regulation and 

 control of big waters below are more effective and economical. 

 By proceeding in this manner a greater total benefit per unit 

 of expenditure is realized. 



There is an ethical reason a reason of patriotism why 

 the individual landowner should take the initiative. If we 



