LAND AS A BASIS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION 89 



crossed its vast expanse to reach the golden rivers of California 

 was there given any prophetic vision of the magic to be wrought 

 by irrigation. Nor is this surprising. It is difficult to imagine 

 anything less attractive than the stretches of barren sand broken 

 only by the isolated yuccas of the Mojave Desert, or anything 

 more dreary than the crucifixion thorn of Arizona. Only in 

 localities where the work of the reclamation has been in prog- 

 ress long enough to permit the growth of trees, flowers, and 

 shrubs, can the possibilities of the soil and climate be appre- 

 ciated. No greater contrast can be found anywhere than is 

 afforded by a comparison of the desert above the ditches and 

 the cultivated fields below them. . . . The arid West is the 

 nation's farm. It contains all that is left of the public domain, 

 and is the chief hope of those who dream of enjoying landed 

 independence, but who have little beside industry and self- 

 denial with which to secure it. As it is now, this land has little 

 value. This is not because the land lacks fertility, but because 

 it lacks moisture. Where rivers have been turned from their 

 courses, the products which have resulted equal in excellence 

 and amount those of the most favored district of ample rain- 

 fall." And yet, with respect to the proportion of these arid 

 regions which may be made productive, the same authority 

 gives the following rather discouraging estimate : " if every 

 drop of water which falls on the mountain summits could be 

 utilized, it is not likely that more than ten per cent of the total 

 area of the arid West could be irrigated, and it is certain that, 

 because of physical obstacles, it will never be possible to get 

 water to even this small percentage." * 



The clearing of cut-over land. There are vast areas of land 

 in the United States formerly in forest from which the saw 

 timber has been cut, much of which may be converted into farm 

 land. This land usually requires a very considerable amount of 

 labor supplies and equipment to clear it of stumps and brush. 

 This accounts for the fact that it has been passed by so long 

 as rich prairie lands were available. Unfortunately, however, 

 much of this cut-over land both in the North and in the South 

 1 Irrigation Institutions, pp. 2, 3, and 5. 



