IRRIGATION 239 



storage reservoirs are filled by the flood water which 

 naturally flows through the valley in the springtime, 

 but which is saved up for use in the summer. In some 

 cases the water which is used to fill the reservoirs is 

 provided by springs and artesian wells. These form 

 comparatively small streams during the entire year, hence 

 storage reservoirs are necessary to store up their water 

 that it may be available for use in the season of plant 

 growth. In some instances the water from springs and 

 wells, instead of being carried to tanks or other reser- 

 voirs to be used for garden and orchard crops, or even 

 for field crops, is spread directly upon the fields. 



Where vegetables, fruit or other crops which bring 

 large amounts of money per acre, are grown, a large ex- 

 pense per acre can be put into irrigation with profit. 

 These valuable lands, under intensive cultivation, require 

 a large expense for seeds, manures and labor. Rather 

 than risk the loss of these investments, it is often wise 

 to invest sufficient money in an irrigation plant to water 

 the crops, and thus insure the larger yields and high 

 quality which will bring an income sufficient to pay ex- 

 penses and leave a larger profit. In dry years, when 

 other growers have short crops, the farmer who is pre- 

 pared to irrigate secures both a large crop and high 

 prices for his produce. 



Legislation. A prominent jurist recently said that 

 irrigation laws were becoming one of the most com- 

 plicated features of American jurisprudence. No at- 

 tempt will here be made to more than analyze the gen- 

 eral principles upon which these laws are constructed. 

 The water of streams which passes through the lands of 

 many owners is recognized as belonging to the public 

 rather than to individual citizens ; at the same time, this 

 water is for the use of whoever can utilize it. Since 

 expense must be incurred in preparing to use water, 

 either for irrigation or for power to be employed in 



