PREFACE. 



RRIGATION has become such 

 an important factor in modern 

 agricultural pursuits, and is 

 becoming more or less essen- 

 tial in all parts of our vast 

 domain, particularly in the 

 western half of the United 

 States, that the need of more 

 specific knowledge pertaining 

 to this great science seemed 

 the imperative demand of the 

 hour, and it is on this hypothesis that the author has 

 essayed to indite this volume. In treating upon so wide 

 and diversified a subject as universal irrigation, I have 

 endeavored throughout to make all points touched upon 

 as explicit and comprehensive as possible, avoiding all 

 useless verbiage, and handling the subject as under- 

 standingly as lay within my power of diction. 



The text of the work is based largely upon personal 

 experience, although it is but fair to add that some of 

 the deductions contained in these pages, especially as to 

 those in which the technical features are most prom- 

 inent, are adapted from the observations of others. I 

 have relied somewhat upon the valuable knowledge of 

 hydraulic engineers and scientists, and have accepted 

 the best authorities attainable whenever technical mat- 

 ters had to be considered. 



One strong position taken by the writer all through 

 the work is the importance of consistent and scientific 



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