THE ADVANTAGES OP IRRIGATION. 21 



the unirrigated, and the same ratio of values prevails 

 elsewhere. 



In summarizing the manifold advantages that the 

 irrigation blessing has brought to humanity through 

 all the ages of persevering man, and anticipating those 

 benefits that are to be commanded by * * the nations yet 

 to be," we may conclude that irrigation means better 

 economic conditions ; means small farms, orchards, 

 and vineyards; more homes and greater comfort for 

 men of moderate means. It means more intelligence 

 and knowledge applied to farming, more profit from 

 crops, more freight and more commerce — because 

 special produces of higher grade and better market 

 value will be enhanced. It means association in urban 

 life instead of isolated farms. It means the occupa- 

 tion of small holdings. It means more telephones, 

 telegraphs, good roads, and swift motors ; fruit and 

 garden growths everywhere ; vSchools in closer prox- 

 imity; villages on every hand, and such general pros- 

 perity as can hardly be dreamed of by those who are 

 not familiar with the results of even the present in- 

 fancy of irrigation in America. It can hardly be 

 doubted that in time the lessons conveyed by history, 

 as well as by the daily pradlice and results of irrigation 

 in the arid region, will induce the dwellers in the 

 regions of summer rains to procure for themselves at 

 least a part of the advantages which are equally within 

 their reach, putting an end to the dreadful seasons 

 when ' ' the skies are as brass and the earth as a stone, ' ' 

 and the labors of the husbandman are in vain. 



