lOI 



of a natural stream by damming, and cause the water to 

 flow by natural gravitation. This method was used. ]>ut 

 often the water was below the field and had to be raised. 

 For this purpose crude water wheels were constructed 

 with buckets attached to the arms, which would empty 

 into spouts and ditches leading to the planted field. Some 

 nations have even watered their crops with water raised 

 from the streams and carried to the field by manual labor. 



In the raising of rice, which is the principal food of all 

 eastern nations, after the crop was planted (always on 

 low land,) the field is flowed and kept so until near the 

 time of harvesting. However fertile the land, the water 

 must be forthcoming or the crop cannot be assured. 



Tiie growing of crops by irrigation, in the United States, 

 has all been brought about within the last fifty years. 

 The wonderful possibilities which have been attained in 

 California, in the growing of fruits and vegetables have 

 been by the application of water, an absolute necessity in 

 the rainless season. 



California has but two seasons, six months wet and six 

 months dr}'. Commencing about the first of November 

 the rainy season sets in, giving an abundance of water, 

 and sometimes a superabundance, when two or three 

 inches will have fallen in twenty-four hours, very few 

 days pass without more or less rain, in showers with bright 

 sunshine between. 



Then about the first of May, you may put away your 

 mackintosh and umbrella, which have been your constant 

 companions for the last six months, with positive assur- 

 ance that they will not be needed for six months to come. 



Wheat, rye, oats and barley are grown during the 

 rainy season — beginning to plow and sow as soon as the 

 rains have softened the ground, in November, and are 

 read}' for the harvest in May and June. 



