CHAPTER XIX 



DRY FARMING: A PROBLEM IN WATER 

 CONSERVATION 



There is a vast empire in the western part of our coun- 

 try that was known once as the "Great American Des- 

 ert." Here, in the early days, short grass grew and some 

 other kinds of less nutritious food. In season buffaloes 

 roamed and fed as best they could ; and then the sturdy 

 pioneer began his conquest. 



He had examined the land and he wanted it. For the 

 broad expanse and the fertile-looking soil tempted him as 

 no land before had done : so he came and battled. The 

 contest was severe; it was trying; it was exhausting. 



"Before the people of the land 

 Had learned to grapple with strong hand 

 Soil culture problems, hearts were sore 

 And poverty hung 'round the door." 



That was three decades ago when the West was new 

 and young, when fat years brought hope and lean years 

 despair and anguish. It occurred within an area occupy- 

 ing a strip of nearly three hundred million acres, extend- 

 ing from Canada on the north and down into Texas on 

 the south, from the Rockies on the west to the Missouri 

 (including the Dakotas and western Minnesota) on the 

 East. 



Into this region people flocked when it was opened to 

 settlement. They knew not the land. They knew little 

 of the soil. Little was known, in fact, at any place about 

 soils. Plants were new to the section and untrained to 

 the hardships of the new life. People came from other 



