THE CALL OF THE LAND 



windmill or gasoline engine irrigation, 

 more and more in vogue, and certain to add 

 in time millions of acres to the cultivable 

 portion of American soil, or of elevated 

 reservoirs and lakes independent of rivers, 

 helping the work of irrigation, or of that 

 economy in the use of irrigating waters 

 from which as much is to be hoped for agri- 

 culture as from the mighty arm of govern- 

 ment now exerting itself to impound our 

 rivers in aid of our fields. We have learned 

 that in the use of water to raise crops, 

 enough is not only as good as a surfeit but a 

 great deal better. Instead of sloshing on 

 water in a field because we have plenty, we 

 now save the surplus for new acres else- 

 where. Independently of the "dry" culture, 

 of which I shall speak presently, a little 

 water will go a great way. 



But the majority, even of those who know 

 all about irrigation in every form and also 

 understand the meaning of the economies 

 which are possible and sure to be exercised 

 in the application of irrigating waters, take 

 these improvements as the limits to the ex- 



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