10 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



the range industry will become a thing of the past, but civilization- 

 will take the place of the semi-nomadic life characteristic of the 

 present utilization of the eminent domain. It is more important to 

 the colonizing of our country, as contemplated by the declaration of 

 independence, that we erect homes, establish agriculture, and build 

 up the waste places, for the benefit of the masses, than that a few 

 should monopolize the free government range for temporary herding 

 grounds. It is better for the progress of the people as a whole, that 

 permanent home builders have the undisturbed right of occupying 

 the lands of the government, than for transients to speculate upon its 

 gratuity, and destroy the usefulness of its mountains and valleys. 



When the arid lands are reclaimed and brought under cultivation 



ORIENTAL STEAMSHIP. 



by the ramifying canals of irrigation, the era of intensive soil culture 

 will be appropriately ushered in. The farmers will then become the 

 stock raisers and wool growers of the west, and where as at present 

 a constant warfare is maintained, there will be peace and prosperity 

 for the masses. The cultivated lands may be sown to alfalfa and the 

 fields pastured with hogs, cattle and sheep and every farmer thereby 

 become an independent capitalist, shipping his products to the 

 markets far and near. There is nothing visionary or speculative 

 about the existing conditions, as the ships of commerce are touching 

 the irrigated shores and the consumers are ready and anxious to 

 purchase the products. 



Industrial development always follows in the train of agriculture, 

 and in some instances creates the field for horticultural progress. 



