SILTING OP LANDS. 253 



H A P T E K XX. 



THE APPLICATION OF WATER TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF 



LANDS. SILTING OR FERTILIZATION OF LANDS BY 



FLOODING. RECLAMATION OF SALT MARSHES, 



RIVER FLATS, AND SUBMERGED LANDS 



The methods of irrigation described in the preceding 

 chapters, have for their object the supply to the soil of 

 water sufficient for the growth of various crops, either 

 during the season of heat and drouth, or in climates in 

 which the rainfall is not sufficient for the needs of vege- 

 tation. But there are methods of employing water 

 in the improvement, reclamation, or indeed, the actual 

 making of land, that belong to the art and practice of 

 irrigation which claim at least some notice in this work. 

 It is very probable that many years may elapse before the 

 gradual growth in value of our agricultural lands shall 

 arrive at that point, which will make it desirable to make 

 extensive use of these methods of improvement. But 

 there are many cases occurring, in which the owners of 

 lands that are amenable to improvements of the character 

 here referred to, are either putting these improvements 

 into operation, or are anxiously seeking for practicable 

 plans for reclaiming their property. It would be well, 

 however, to caution the owners of waste lands against 

 unwisely undertaking large expenditures of money, be- 

 fore they have consulted some competent engineer who 

 is practiced in this special business, or until they have 

 felt their way by completing some portion of the work 

 in a satisfactory manner. 



"Silting," or fertilizing ly flooding with water having 

 much earthy matter in suspension, is the first of these in- 

 direct methods of irrigation to be treated of. This prac- 

 tice depends for its effects upon the presence of much 

 suspended matter in the water used ; a large supply of 



