276 THE IRRIGA TION A. GE. 



These examples are cited to show the decided effect of additional 

 water alone, and they prove that irrigation pays the farmer, not 

 only in the arid region, but also in all regions where there is at all a 

 a shortage of rainfall. One windmill will fully irrigate six acres of 

 land which farmed intensely or properly will easily support a family 

 of five persons. Added wells and windmills upon a farm will corres- 

 pondingly add to the profit of farming, without corresponding 

 increase of labor on the part of the farmer, though some must be of 

 course added. Where one animal can now be fitted for market, with 

 irrigation and little if any labor, at least five can be sold. There is 

 no question then, that if the farmer will intensely and thoroughly 

 cultivate, such a portion of his land as he is able thus to do, replen- 

 ishing its strength by proper fertilizers, and furnishing it with 

 sufficient water, he will be rewarded by profits, from two to four 

 times as great as are now ordinarily received, and that too by very 

 little added labor on his part, and but a slight increase of cost of 

 seed and other expenses. Thus soon, with increased leisure, and 

 steadily added wealth he will prove to all his children, the evident 

 truth of the fact that farming is the most independent livelihood and 

 gives the surest profits, of any vocation known. 



