178 THE NEW AGRICULTURE. 



them in repair, our own country, possessing a domain of vaster ex- 

 tent than that of any nation of the world and of incomparably 

 greater value, has only to enter upon her own possessions, and by 

 trenching her mountain sides beget reservoirs as enduring as the 

 foundations of earth. Let no one doubt that the alkaline deposits 

 in the Great Desert lands will be removed from the soil by this 

 running of the waters through them, leaving only such proportions 

 of alkali as is required for the best developement of plant growth. 

 But whence will come the money with which to do this work is 

 the question. Our answer is, let such policies be pursued by 

 governments, state and national, as will encourage and foster in- 

 dustries. Let the world find out that intoxicating liquors used as 

 a beverage are a curse, and provide for the suppression of their sale 

 as such. This will save thousands of millions of money and count- 

 less numbers of lives annually. Let our schools and churches, Sun- 

 day schools and educational institutions and agencies generally, 

 frown upon, discourage, and ultimately prohibit the production and 

 use of tobacco, a greater curse, if possible, than rum. Let no party 

 as such, attempt these reforms, but let the work be done by men 

 and women everywhere, irrespective of party or sect. Last, not 

 least, let pure water be everywhere sought, and let the waters be 

 nowhere wasted, but made to do their perfect work everywhere. 



