42 THE STATE AS FARMER 



and returning the water to the soil or to 

 the drinking troughs of his herds. The cattle 

 would find it better than their present supplies, 

 especially if simple filtration could be adopted 

 at some point near the troughs, and the land 

 would obtain moisture already impregnated 

 with plant food. It is difficult to see how 

 the complete carrying through of dairy work 

 can be accomplished unless this long-deferred 

 water crusade be entered upon. The collect- 

 ing and storing of the rains, in view of their 

 overwhelming importance in farming itself 

 and its subsidiary activities, ought to be made 

 one of the most pressing duties of the State. 



But the farmer has still to perform those 

 tasks which preserve the soil water for his 

 precious roots and fibres. The perfect tilling 

 which keeps the moisture that is already there 

 he must always compass on whatever farm 

 he may find himself. But the many ways of 

 adding to the soil moisture at difficult times 

 require telling and retelling until the whole 

 district becomes accustomed to the best 

 methods. All this planning and oversight 

 for a considerable area needs to be supple- 

 mented by certain sanctions. The mere loss 



