14 



IRRIGATION FARMING. 



yards, gardens, potato fields, hop yards, tobacco and 

 cotton plantations, and whatever extra work may be 

 required to cover the land with water will be repaid 

 ten fold from the first crop that is taken off. In travel- 

 ing in the far west over long stretches of parched and 

 dusty plains or through mountain gorges, the writer has 

 often seen fields, orchards, vineyards and gardens all 

 dressed in living green. The life, vigor and fruitfulness 



I Ii 4. IilVIIUMi LINK ItKTWKKN DKSKKT AM) OKCHAKU. 



were in surpassing contrast to the general aspect. And 

 why this contrast ? Because of the tapping of mountain 

 streams, fed by crystal springs or banks of perpetual 

 snow, and turning a portion of their waters upon the 

 lands. From great emim-nees the course of these life- 

 giving water ways made by the hands of man could be 

 traced by the eye, until they were lost in the dimness of 



