THE IRR1GA T10N AGL. 325 



rectly to state, equal to the side of a square containing one labor, the 

 then unit of land measure in Mexico. Had those people possessed 

 such means of pumping water as we have the face of the country 

 along rivers would have been favorably altered, as they were fully 

 alive to the advantages of irrigation. 



I do not for a moment assert that forage farming would pay 

 where fuel and costly machinery had to be employed, if the products 

 had to be hauled off the premises and sold in markets, depriving the 

 land of its tribute, but cattle raising is as hazardous as farming in 

 these districts. It is by means of the union of both systems with 

 irrigation under the one management that we may look for a sound 

 basis to establish a successful cattle ranch. The cattle man will 

 know what is wanted and how to raise it; the value of products of the 

 farm will be estimated truly, not by the dollars they would bring in 

 markets in good seasons, but by the stability it will give the business 

 of stock raising, as the owner will feel confident his cattle will not die 

 of starvation, and that they will be in condition to market at proper 

 time. This confidence will pass to all with whom he has -business r- 

 lations; therefore I believe I do not exaggerate by saying that the ir- 

 rigated forage farm will double the value of his entire holding. 



I fear I have overtaxed the space you can spare for this subject. 

 It has not been treated from an agricultural point of view, as to the 

 best crops to grow, nor from an engineering view as to the best sys- 

 tem of machinery to use. On the latter subject I would simply sug 

 gest that the best obtainable be employed. The interest, with sink- 

 ing fund of first cost, will cut but a small figure in the general expen- 

 ses. It is in fuel that economy must be observed; it is a constant 

 charge. The water should be raised plumb to the height, and no 

 higher than is necessary to fill the reservoir; here the duty of the fuel 

 ends. 



OLD WINTERS ON THE FARM. 

 I haye jest about decided 

 It 'ud keep a town-boy hoppin' 

 Fer to work all winter, choppin' 

 Fer a old fireplace, like I did! 

 Lawz! them old times was contrairy! - 

 Blame backbone o' winter, 'peared like, 

 Woudn't break! and I was skeered-like, 

 Clean on into February! . . . 

 Nothin' ever made me madder 

 Than for Pap to stomp in, layin' 

 On a extry forestick, sayin'- 

 "Groun'hog's out and seed his shadder!" 

 James Whitcomb Riley. 



