THE IRRIGATION AGE. 337 



which the inventive farmer may discover. When surrounded by 

 trees it makes a nice summer resort for the family and neighbors. 



Sub- irrigation from adjoining streams or ditches is a favorite 

 method adopted by some of the prosperous farmers in sections where 

 such system is practicable. In the Grande Ronde valley of Oregon, 

 all kinds of farm products, including sugar beets, are grown by sub- 

 irrigation from the beds of streams. This system is possible along 

 the lower river bottom where the i streams are sluggish, and by ar- 

 ranging suitable dams or obstructions the under current may be in- 

 creased and the farm be kept moist without any surface application of 

 water. In other fields the water may be distributed over the surface 

 of a higher tract and sub-irrigate a lower valley. 



One of the best and safest individual irrigation works is the sim- 

 ple eastern reservoir, constructed either on the farm or in the moun- 

 tains. This can be made for almost nothing but labor, which can be- 

 expended when the farmer has an idle time. If the reservoir is built 

 upon the farm it may be filled from streams already appropriated, by 

 using the surplus during high water, which occurs in the spring, or 

 the ditch may be kept open throughout the winter and the water 

 stored. This plan will be generally adopted by those desiring inde- 

 pendent water supply in every irrigated district, and is one of the 

 methods of solving the scarcity problem in dry valleys. 



