THE CLAM FARM 205 



dreamed. We have found a way to utilize the 

 arid land of the West — a hundred and fifty 

 thousand acres of it at a single stroke, as Presi- 

 dent Taft turns the waters of the Gunnison River 

 from their ancient channel into a man-made tun- 

 nel, and sends them spreading out 



Here and there, 



Everywhere, 

 Till his waters have flooded the uttermost creeks and the low- 

 lying lanes, 

 And the desert is meshed with a million veins, — 



in order that it might be fulfilled, which was 

 spoken by the prophet, saying, " The wilderness 

 and the solitary place shall be glad for them ; 

 and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the 

 rose." 



We are utilizing these arid lands, reclaiming 

 the desert for a garden, with an effort of hands 

 and a daring of soul, that fall hardly short of the 

 original creative work which made the world — 

 as if the divine fiat had been : " In our image, 

 to have dominion; to subdue the earth; and to 

 finish the work we leave undone." And while we 

 are finishing these acres and planting them with 

 fruit at so lavish a cost, shall we continue stupidly 



