234 IRRIGATION. 



not lead to the neglect of carefully gauging the excess 

 of water to be carried off, at times when but little is 

 used in irrigation, and of providing ample accommoda- 

 tion for it. 



Reservoirs of smaller size, for use to a limited extent, 

 or for farms and gardens, may be made in a much more 

 modest manner. Where the surface of the ground is 



Fig. 117. RESERVOIR ON LEVEL GROUND. 



level, the reservoir may be made by digging out the bot- 

 tom, and forming the banks of the excavated earth, as 

 shown at fig. 117. A reservoir upon sloping ground may 

 be made by throwing to one side earth excavated from 

 the bottom, and forming the bank, as shown at fig. 118. 

 A reservoir in a natural hollow may be made, by excavat- 

 ing the bottom, and using the earth to raise the sides, as 



Fig. 118. RESERVOIR ON SLOPING GROUND. 



shown at fig. 119. In these examples, the original out- 

 line is shown by the dotted lines, and the finished work 

 by the shaded portion. The scope for the use of such 

 small reservoirs as these, by farmers or gardeners, is in 

 reality very extensive. 



It is a question of profit solely. Will it pay for the 

 farmer or gardener to be master of his operations ? Will 

 the cost of reservoirs, and of the necessary preparation 

 of the surface of the farm, to make the application of 

 the reserved water possible, overbear the value of the 

 crops raised ? With our present defective agriculture, and 

 our consequently unprofitable crops, the necessary cost 



