324 THE IRRIGA TION A GE. 



unless aided by rains. It is divided into blocks as shown on diagram; 

 the larger ones are situated on either side of main ditch. The land 

 here slopes down from the bank of the river; in 3,000 feet is about 

 seven feet fall on western side, then rises on the eastern side to about 

 three feet, leaving a valley of an arroyo between. The land on the 

 eastern side is richer and has subsoil. It was cut from the thickest 

 brush; trees, branches and roots were burned and the ashes mixed 

 with phosphates carefully spread over the land. To include this part 

 in the farm is the cause of the long ditch and much of the expense. 

 It often occurs that in the construction of such dumps, rats do a great 

 deal of damage causing leakages, but where the bed of ditch is broad 

 and the water sufficient the rodents and their offspring die of drown- 

 ing and trouble no more. 



The shape of the farm here shown is best suited for work as I feel 

 confident that before long plowing, cultivating, and other labor will 

 be done by machinery driven by power. I also look for great im- 

 provement in the mode of applying the water to the land. The pre- 

 sent system is crude in the extreme. Thus when water is let iato a 

 furrow the near end is a perfect mud hole before the water reaches 

 the further end. This causes drills to be made shorter than would be 

 in a non-irrigated farm. All this is especially the case with land such 

 as I am treating of. However, we must use the system we have to 

 the best advantage we know how. In the design water would be con- 

 veyed to all cross ditches, wherever practicable, through earthenware 

 pipes or troughs. Through the pipes, where nearly horizontal, would 

 run a loose iron chain which enables men to keep the way clear of 

 siltage. 



The cattle would be fed in sheds and pens as shown. These are 

 divided to suit the different classes of cattle and the purpose for 

 which they are being fed. These pens are the great source of f ertil 

 izer for the farm, aided by lime, phosphate and kainit or other such 

 artificially prepared fertilizers, applied in the proper manner and 

 time, as the land should always be kept up to its highest productive 

 power. 



The design of the farm is such that all the work could easily be 

 carried out in twelve months, by energy and judicious use of the 

 sulky plow, changing what was a grassless prairie into fields of wav- 

 ing corn. The farm could be used at times for growing Bermuda 

 onions and other merchantable crops such as could be sold off in bulk, 

 leaving the land free in May. 



One cannot help admiring the wisdom and foresight of the old 

 Spaniards. In making settlements for cities, to each was given a cer- 

 tain quantity of land divided into long narrow strips, each ending on 

 a river. These strips were more than half a mile wide, or more cor- 



