THE 1RRIGATIOM AGE. 413 



The late king always evinced a particular interest in the irriga- 

 tion work of the state and in the possibilities of rural improvement 

 through water reclamation. While about seven million acres of land 

 in Italy are already under irrigation, this is by no means all the land 

 subject to reclamation, and projects are now on foot for additional de- 

 velopment, the possibilities of which are very great. The great gov- 

 ernment irrigating canals in Italy have a length of over 140 miles and 

 the vast network of distributing channels aggregate a total length of 

 distributing channels aggregate a total length of something over 

 4,000 miles. 



It is understood that the new king, Victor Emanuel III, will de- 

 vote himself largely to internal improvements, first breaking away 

 from the staggering expense to the state of foreign entanglements 

 and alliances. 



Italian history contains many interesting accounts of wars and 

 strifes over the sources of irrigation during the days of feudalism and 

 of conflicts with foreign nations. An interesting incident is told of 

 the temporary destruction and immediate repair of the Naviglio Mar- 

 tesana, the large canal of Milan. During the last century, owing to 

 excessive pressure, about 600 feet of the channel near Milan was car- 

 ried away, cutting off the water supply of the city, and, occurring in 

 April just as the demand for irrigation was commencing, it necessi- 

 tated the utmost energy to complete the repairs in time to save the 

 great crop dependent upon its waters. It was considered necessary, 

 among other things, to replace the ancient earthern embankment by 

 a vast retaining wall of brick masonry. The government acted with 

 great vigor and the work was successful, six weeks of tremendous ef- 

 fort sufficing for its completion. At such times the people of irri- 

 gated countries appreciate the exertions of their governments. When 

 the British government in India reopened the Delhi canal, great con- 

 courses of people accompanied the waters as they passed through the 

 new channel flowers were thrown into the stream, and the multi- 

 tudes loudly expressed their joy, and welcomed with glad cheers the 

 sight of the long desired waters. Similarly the inhabitants of Milan 

 collected in vast numbers along the banks of the Canal Martesana 

 upon its reopening and cheer after cheer arose as the water poured 

 past. All classes and parties united in bestowing the highest praise 

 upon the engineers and the administration for their energy had saved 

 the crops of the year. 



