THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



seres are under irrigation for this crop, 

 while Texas is developing very extensive 

 acreages. The possibility of using im- 

 proved machinery is largely responsible 

 for this. The oriental method of harvest- 

 ing the crop is for a laborer to wade into 

 the rice slough with a sickle and reap a 

 fraction of an acre a day. The Louisiana 

 and Texas method is to plant the rice in 



plats surrounded by small levees or fur- 

 rows, into which plats water is then 

 turned. When the rice is nearly ripe, the 

 levee is broken down and the water al- 

 lowed to run off. In a few days, when the 

 rice has ripened, the soil has dried suffi- 

 ciently to allow a machine harvester to go 

 upon the land and do the work of many 

 men. 



Some men take life serious, some as a 



jest, 

 However they take it, each thiaks his 



the best, 



And each tries to make the best of it. 

 I am one of those mortals who thinks 



it all fun, 

 And laugh with the rising and setting 



sun, 



Take things as they come, for the fun 



of it. 



I laugh with every bright, sunny day 

 When clouds shed tears, I laugh them 



away 



Its best to make the best of it. 

 Who cares for my sorrow? The world 



loves a smile 

 To drown its own misery it's cares to 



beguile, 

 So I laugh with the world, for the fun 



of it. 

 There are times when I feel "blue 



devils" creep 



Upon me till my soul would weep. 

 But I laugh and make the best of it. 



"JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT." 

 BY J. M. W. EANDEGG. 



A smile that I meet but adds to the 



spice 

 Of life, and makes earth paradise, 



And I smile right back, for the fun 



of it. 



And as I am wandering, mile upon mile 

 O'er roughly hewn paths of this planet, 



I smile, 



Not minding, but making the best of it. 

 When I cast in my chips, below or 



above, 

 Where we're all put to work, coal or 



clouds to shove. 



I shall think it's all for the fun of it. 

 So I throw to the winds all trouble and 



care 

 And go through the world to do or to 



dare 



Whatever betake, make the best of it. 

 A man lives but once, and the time is 



So short 

 When death leads him out to some 



lonely, strange port. 

 So I laugh while I live, for the fun 



of it. 



