262 FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION May 



ments are vigorous, and are being present one cubic foot per second for 



lived up to in all the work I inspected ; each 150 acres), and the irrigation 



and I have never seen more compact season (May I to October i) during 



or uniformly solid banks than those which such water must be supplied, 



being built. shall be fixed by the government, and 



"The soil of the irrigable areas is not left to the whim of any irrigation 



fertile, and well suited to the applica- company or person selling water for 



tion of water. Taken in connection irrigation. 



with the productiveness of the contig- (4) That all agreements for the 

 uous pasture land, it is certain that supply of water for irrigation must 

 the cultivation of irrigated areas will be registered with the government, 

 be highly profitable, and will insure (5) That any disputes regarding 

 the creation of a large and prosperous the division or distribution of water 

 agricultural community. The water are settled by the government officials 

 supply is ample, and the rights of the without the necessity of any appeal to 

 company thereto are secure. The laws the courts or bill of costs to parties 

 of Canada for the acquirement of making complaint, 

 water titles are equalled by few coun- (6) That parties complying with 

 tries in the world in the specific char- the provisions of the law, and granted 

 acter of the rights granted and the the right to divert water, obtain a pat- 

 subsequent protection afforded appro- ent direct from the Crown for the 

 priators. The filings in connection water, which they can carry in their 

 with the control of the land to be pocket, if they wish, as prima facie 

 watered give the company a security evidence of their title, and that any 

 and a freedom in carrying out its plans attempt to interfere with such title 

 which is altogether exceptional." is prevented by government officials 



without cost to owners of the water 



CANADIAN WATKR LAWS patent. 



The best proof of the fairness and 



The law of Canada concerning the stability of the Canadian law relating 

 rights of water-farmers has been de- to irrigation is the statement that al- 

 clared by resolution of the American though irrigation has been practiced 

 Irrigation Congress to be far in ad- for ten years, and today in southern 

 vance of any similar laws in the Alberta there are, including the Can- 

 United States, and the Irrigation adian Pacific Railway's project, eight 

 Office of the Department cf Agricul- hundred miles of canals and ditches 

 ture at Washington has issued a spe- carrying water for irrigation, there 

 cial bulletin calling attention to the has not during that time been one law 

 good features of the Canadian law, suit about water rights, 

 and setting it up as a pattern which The canal constructed by the Can- 

 should be adopted by States within adian Pacific Railway Company has 

 which irrigation is practiced. an absolute title under the Canadian 

 The Canadian law is based upon law to two thousand cubic feet of 

 the following broad principles: water per second from the Bow River; 

 d) That all water is the property and that river at the point of intake 

 of the Crown. for the canal has never shown at its 



(2) That applicants for the right lowest stage, since government guag- 

 to construct irrigation works must ings were commenced some years ago, 

 complete them within a stated time, a smaller flow than three thousand 

 and to the satisfaction of government cubic feet per second. During the ir- 

 engineers. rigation season the flow usually aver- 



(3) That the amount of water to ages about six thousand cubic feet 

 be supplied for any given area (at per second. 



