90 THE FARMER OF TO-MORROW 



from $100 to $125 per acre, according to the 

 present value of the contiguous uplands." 



In the same survey, the cost of maintaining 

 the plant, after it is once in operation, is ap- 

 proximated as between 30 and 60 cents per 

 acre per year, and, of course, considerably 

 lower in dry years. The reference to "dry 

 years" suggests the wonderful possibilities that 

 are following in the wake of this system. As 

 these lands receive their water not only from 

 the skies, but also from seepage, it is possible 

 to maintain the optimum moisture content in 

 the soil during the entire growing season, 

 because even in dry years these favorably 

 situated lands, once scorned, have a super- 

 abundance of ground water to be reduced by 

 pumping. 



When we hear the word "reclamation" men- 

 tioned we are accustomed to consider only ir- 

 rigation, yet, in a survey of the possibilities 

 of the empire to be added eventually to our 

 farms by drainage removing surplus water 

 we see that irrigation, sensational though it 

 may be, is very small indeed in comparison. 



As long ago as 1850 the nation began deed- 

 ing its swamp and overflow lands to the various 



