68 ORANGE CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 



study this subject, read the recognized authorities, find out what 

 other nations have done, what laws they have passed, then 

 listen to the suggestions of practical irrigators, and know what 

 they are about, and not jump at conclusions by hap-hazard and 

 pass laws that will benefit no one but the lawyers. In making 

 this article one of suggestions to our law-makers, I cannot im- 

 prove upon the conclusion arrived at by the very able Board of 

 Government Commissioners on the irrigation of the San Joaquin, 

 Tulare and Sacramento Valleys composed of General Alex- 

 ander, Colonel Nundelle, of the Engineering Corps, U. S. A., 

 and Professor Davidson, of the Coast Survey. 



"I have taken much from their report; I have read and 

 studied closely many of the authorities they quote; I have 

 weighed well all they have written, and I unqualifiedly indorse 

 their conclusions and their suggestions as to the proper legis- 

 lative action of both Government and State, that they may con- 

 trol and direct irrigation in our own country. 



"I quote at length some of their conclusions : 'As a matter 

 of public policy it is desirable that the land and water be so 

 joined, never to be cut asunder, that the farmers would enjoy in 

 perpetuity the use of the water necessary for the irrigation of 

 their respective lands ; that when the land is sold, the right to 

 water shall also be sold with it, and that neither shall be sold 

 separately; that the parties chiefly benefited by irrigation are 

 farmers or land-owners; that there is every reason to believe 

 that the value of land in the driest districts will be appreciated 

 many fold ; that it results from this that lands should, as far as 

 possible, pay for the construction of the necessary irrigating 

 ditches ; that the State and counties will be directly benefited 

 by the appreciation of lands, and by the increase of wealth, in 

 their revenues from taxation ; that, consequently, it may be good 

 policy for them to aid such enterprises; that whatever aid is 

 given by the State or county should be extended in a continuous 

 way; that in many parts of the country where irrigation will 

 ultimately best repay expenditures, there are now no people; 

 that the population must be imported ; the houses, barns and 

 equipments of the farms must be created before returns can 

 follow the investment ; that for these reasons we must look for 



