ARID AGRICULTURE. 17 



region of arid America and the more humid East 

 is so great that it can neither be impressed upon 

 the mind nor fully appreciated in a single gen- 

 eration. We have now learned some of the more 

 important changes brought about by aridity. 

 The small rainfall results in its particular kind 

 'of climate and soil. These in turn not only 

 change the entire aspect of landscape and dis- 

 tance, but also profoundly influence the struct- 

 ural life and health of animals and plants and 

 place new conditions into human ethics and the 

 social fabric. The use of open ranges for com- 

 mon grazing ground made men cognizant of each 

 other's rights the use of limited water-supply 

 for irrigation, at least in all larger systems, en- 

 forces co-operation. Lofty mountains, grand 

 distances, and sparce settlement stimulate more 

 individual movement. Stockmen go to market 

 with their product. The people travel. They 

 get their own kind of education from more leis- 

 ure, more moving from place to place, and more 

 intimate acquaintance with nature and their fel- 

 lows. They find greater independence of thought 

 and action necessary because, in the struggle for 

 existence, they must overcome unusual obstacles 

 and old forms, and old laws are in many in- 

 stances not applicable to the change of condi- 

 tions. The institutions of the West are being- 

 founded upon new principles. 



Those who attempt to follow agricultural 

 pursuits find crop failure less common, and with 



