PREFACE 



IRRIGATION and dry-farming are rapidly conquering 

 drought. By these twin arts, bountiful and regular 

 harvests may be gathered in the humid regions during 

 the periodic dry seasons; and in the arid regions, the 

 great "deserts" may be converted into most fruitful fields. 

 Irrigation has a splendid record of success from the begin- 

 ning of history; dry-farming has only in recent days 

 extended its conquests into the more arid regions; both 

 have become more powerful in conquering drought as 

 modern science has been applied to them. 



Successful irrigation-farming is the joint product of 

 the engineer and the farmer. To the engineer is given the 

 heavy and responsible task of constructing properly a 

 permanent system of dams and canals from which water 

 may be drawn; to the farmer belongs the apparently 

 humble but unending and difficult task of using the 

 water in the best manner for crop-production. Both 

 workers are essential for success; but, the work of the 

 farmer determines the permanence and extent of agricul- 

 ture under irrigation. 



Much has been written about irrigation for the 

 engineer, but little for the farmer. The few who have 

 written about farming under irrigation have, most fre- 

 quently, prepared crop or soil manuals, in which the use 

 of water has formed a minor part. This book is an attempt 

 to develop the principles, so far as present knowledge per- 

 mits, upon which the correct use of water, by the farmer, 



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