THE IRRIGATION AGE. 385 



being to unite with the lands reclaimed a certain portion of the public 

 pasture. 



The national government alone can. make the best and broadest 

 study of the various economic questions related to the development of 

 agriculture on arid lands. This includes not only the measurement of 

 streams and surveys of reservoir sites, but also a consideration of 

 practical methods of applying water to the soil and of social and in- 

 dustrial institutions adapted to the environment of the arid region. 

 The nation alone can deal with the conflicting rights in interstate and 

 international streams and with the construction of great reservoirs at 

 their headwaters, with a view to benefiting the several states lying 

 along their course. The national government is already active along 

 all these lines, and the field for the expansion of its efforts is wide and 

 inviting. 



THE MISSOURI MULE. 



So long as cannons bellow and gods of 



battle rule 

 There'll be a place for Kicker, the old 



Missouri mule; 

 And now he's sailing eastward, stamped 



with the t; Mo." brand, 

 And the old Missouri kicker is bound for 



China land. 



His brothers died in Cuba amid the can- 

 non rolls. 



And others fell with burgher men around 

 the kopje knolls, 



And now he'll board the transport and 

 follow the command, 



For the old Missouri kicker is bound for 

 China land. 



Strange beast, with ears that quiver and 



open like a fan, 

 Will roam along the tea beds to scare the 



Chinaman, 

 Will bray his very loudest in concert 



with the band, 

 For the old Missouri kicker is bound for 



China land. 



His legs are like a catapult, taut for a 



target aim, 

 Like steel and flint combined are they, for 



they were made to maim, 

 Ani woe unto the Boxer man who come* 



and takes his stand 

 Near the old Missouri kicker in fat-off 



China land. 



