ARID AGRICULTURE. 



THE 

 IRRIGATOR'S 



PROBLEM 



WILD 

 FLOODING 



is a good method for the local conditions and 

 sometimes not. Usually the pioneer has marked 

 out his own system without help. Those who 

 come at a later date take up the local practice 

 and retain it, even though they may see other 

 localities forging ahead of them. 



Crops require water to grow or even to re- 

 main alive. The irrigator with a reliable and 

 sufficient water supply has a great advantage 

 over every other agriculturist. He has it within 

 his power to govern the application of water to 

 his fields, to apply it when and where he wishes 

 and in the quantity he thinks best. These ad- 

 vantages bring with them the necessity of 

 learning how to make the most profitable 

 use of the water supply. The problem of 

 the irrigator is to apply water in the right place 

 at the right time, in quantities that will give the 

 best results, and by the most efficient and eco- 

 nomical methods. Local conditions and the kind 

 of crop grown should determine the method most 

 applicable. Changes in methods are forced by 

 increase in value of land and water ; the inten- 

 sive system taking the place of the extensive. 



This is the natural and primitive method of 

 applying water to crops. In its simplest form 

 it is nothing more than a diversion of the waters 

 of a stream to the land to be irrigated, leaving 

 the laws of nature in charge without further aid 



