1897.] ESSAYS. 15 



dant supply of water, is foimd in "the famous San Luis Park of Colo- 

 rado." Owing to the large area of mountains surrounding it, this has 

 an unusual number of "lost rivers," supplying the subterraneous water 

 in abundance. Already over 3700 flowing wells have been sunk. 



IRRIGATION IN NEW JERSEY. 



In the New Jersey Station irrigation was not begun until demanded 

 by drought in the fall, and was continued from September 17th until 

 the crops were harvested, varying with different plants from October 

 4th to 28th. The water was distributed in channels between the rows 

 from the city water-works by means of inch faucets and hose. 



In the case of egg-plants and tomatoes no substantial results were 

 noticed. The result of irrigating bush-beans was very satisfactory, 

 the yield being largely increased and the quality superior. The period 

 of fruitage with peppers was prolonged and the yield nearly doubled. 

 The soil of the celery plat was not the most favorable, but the yield 

 of the irrigated plat was more than doubled. 



The market value of the irrigated plat was eight times that produced 

 without the aid of artificial watering. The loss from superfluous leaves 

 and roots in preparing the plants for market was 28 per cent, in the 

 irrigated plats against 40 per cent, in the non-irrigated. 



When it was known at my house that I was to read a paper on irri- 

 gation, I was instructed to talk especially on the necessity of planting 

 trees as a means of saving the streams ; but as I have no reliable data 

 on the subject, I omitted to discuss it ; but it is perhaps the most im- 

 portant matter at present demanding our attention. Perhaps no more 

 patriotic enterprise, or one eventually more profitable to the farmers 

 than a few acres of the roughest portion set to growing trees ; it would 

 conduce more to the public health and happiness than any large con- 

 tribution in money. In the meantime, and while the trees are growing, 

 I think the farmers would be justified in any seeming profanity if they 

 should "dam" every drop of water that rolls down their hillsides. 



"May I be allowed to add a few words to Mr. Chamberlin's state- 

 ments about irrigation, because it seems to me he does not go to the 

 root of the matter. In order to be able to irrigate land, the first 

 requisite is to possess the water to irrigate with ; and in order to possess 

 the water, it is of the utmost importance that some measures should be 

 taken to ensure a never failing supply. In other words, the State of 

 Massachusetts should appoint a competent Forestry Commission, who 

 will do for the State what the United States Government is doing for the 

 national reservations. Mr. Fernald says, ' without forest management 

 no rational water management is possible.' Two centuries ago the 



