THE JRRIGA TION A GE. 227 



result under favorable conditions. If, however, he has been so unfortunate as to 

 locate on poor soil (which is not likely to happen), or under a canal having an 

 uncertain water supply, his case may be decidedly different. His best efforts will 

 avail him nothing if he is not able to get the necessary water at the times needed. 

 This is the most important, as it is sometimes the most perplexing, question to be 

 settled before purchasing. The soil is almost certain to be of excellent quality, and 

 there are few irrigated regions where there is not now a market for all products 

 raised. Prices vary considerably in different localities, owing to local conditions 

 which are largely temporary in their nature. The safest basis for estimating prices, 

 however, is not upon such conditions, but especially for such products as hay, etc., 

 upon their feeding value upon the farm. Farming throughout the arid region, 

 except as regards such specialized products as fruit, hops, sugar beets, etc., is 

 each year getting nearer that character which long experience has demonstrated as 

 most generally successful and profitable, viz, that in which the bulk of the product 

 is fed on the farm. Success in this kind of farming in the arid states does not 

 necessarily depend upon the nearness to railroads or large towns, but is quite 

 largely influenced by other considerations, such as proximity to free grazing lands. 

 Of course favored localities will demonstrate the great success of particular kinds of 

 products, but still the great proportion of farming throughout this region will be of 

 the diversified and general nature practiced elsewhere, and its success will be most 

 largely dependent upon a good water supply. Much farming is done in the arid 

 region under conditions of water supply which are not entirely satisfactory, but its 

 success in all cases is directly proportional to the sufficiency and certainty of the 

 supply. Entire success is only achieved when the water is sufficient in quantity 

 and certain in its duration throughout the period when it is required. Where these 

 conditions prevail the factor of uncertainty is as nearly eliminated from farming 

 operations as can be predicted of any business, and its results are more certain and 

 satisfactory than can be realized from farming in any part of the humid region. 



"The farmer in the humid States is always practically between two fires. He 

 may be either burned out by drought or seriously damaged by two much rainfall, and 

 he is powerless to avert either of these evils. The ranchman in the arid region, who 

 is operating under favorable conditions, is protected from the latter by the aridity 

 of his climate, and from the former by his artificial water supply, whose assistance 

 he can invoke at pleasure. He has tLe exact amount of moisture which he needs, 

 just when he wants it, and at no other time. His operations are rarely delayed by 

 weather conditions. He may plow when the crop needs it, nor is he hampered by 

 either dry or wet weather. If his land is too dry to plow when the crop requires cul- 

 tivation, he irrigates it to the proper degree of moisture. In most localities he will 

 be able, so far as climatic conditions are concerned, to work on his farm nearly every 

 day in the year. Under favorable conditions he is certain of a large crop, and will 

 be able to harvest it in good condition. Taken altogether, the practice of irrigation 

 furnishes the very ideal conditions for the conduct of agricultural operations.'' 



After pointing out the necessity for careful investigation by intending settlers 

 of the conditions of water supply, priority rights, methods of their enforcement, etc. 

 tlie writer gives the following details of the systems of water administration prevail- 

 ing in the different states: 



"For the purposes of this discussion the states under consideration may be di- 

 vided into two general classes, each class having somewhat similar laws and cus- 

 tom? in regard to water administration and distribution. In one grouping may be 



