THE IKRIGATION AGE. 



179 



seventeen years is 26.68 inches. Conspicuous as this 

 figure may appear, it should not be taken to serve as 

 a basis for accurate calculation in connection with ag- 

 ricultural pursuits, for the simple yet tangible reason 

 that its distribution is by no means in symmetry and 

 harmony with the demands of crops. In other words, 

 the annual aggregate is made up of few but heavy rains, 

 at uncertain times, instead of lighter rains at certain 

 times compatible with the needs of agriculture. 



Southwest Texas is meteorologically classed as 

 semi-arid and the conduct of agricultural pursuits de- 

 pending upon rainfall for the production and maturity 

 of crops in the section therefore savors largely of the 

 elements of a lottery. The rainfall and the time of 

 its coming are uncertain and the farmer who depends 

 upon rainfall has no guarantee that he will realize the 

 fruits of his toil. This state of affairs, as previously 

 pointed out, until the discovery of artesian water, was 

 the insurmountable obstacle to the development of 

 southwest Texas. 



able to control the essential elements to crop produc- 

 tion. During recent years the science of agriculture has 

 assumed such a high plane of development that there 

 are but few things today which the careful, exacting 

 and educated tiller of the soil can not accomplish. The 

 scientific farmer of today knows something about 

 biology of plant life and chemistry of the soil in a prac- 

 tical way. With this knowledge, he is able, in a degree, 

 however limited, to control the action of the soil, pro- 

 vided the elements are favorable to his efforts. But it 

 is just at this point that nature, always an uncertain, 

 unreliable quantity, frequently proposes a contrary ar- 

 gument. 



While the farmer may be able to control his crop, 

 in a way, by careful methods of culture, he never knows 

 when nature is going to be propitious or contrariwise. 

 Eain may come at the proper moment, or it may not 

 come at all. Even if it does come, it may come at the 

 wrong time and the farmer is never sure of his crop 

 until he beholds the rich harvest in the field ready for 



Collection of Citrus Fruits, produced along the line of the St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico Railway. 



In other words, the territory traversed by the St. 

 Louis, Brownsville & Mexico Eailway is an irrigation 

 proposition, and nothing certain and positive can be 

 presaged for its magnificent soil and splendid climate 

 when not associated with irrigation. Crops may be 

 raised, in fact are raised, without irrigation in favorable 

 seasons, but the accomplishment of definite results is 

 a matter of chance, pure and simple. 



"THE IRRIGATION PROBLEM." 



The St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico Eailway 

 deems no apology necessary because irrigation is a pre- 

 requisite to the production of crops in the territory 

 traversed by its lines, now in operation. On the con- 

 trary, it believes that this requirement is an indorse- 

 ment and recommendation rather than z hindrance and 

 a detriment, as an analysis and study of the situation 

 will reveal. 



The premise will doubtless be admitted that it is 

 a most desirable state of affairs for the farmer to be 



the granary; and even then rain may come and destroy 

 his -crop before he can safely store it away. In fine, in 

 localities where the agriculturist depends entirely upon 

 natural means of moisture, crop prospects and crop 

 results are always uncertain. 



Contrast with this the security of the farmer who 

 depends solely upon irrigation for crop production. 

 With sufficient water for irrigation purposes, he is 

 always sure of a crop. He never has to worry about 

 the coming or the going of the storm clouds. When his 

 crop needs water, he merely turns it on; when it has 

 enough, he simply turns it off. Common sense is the 

 only requisite. He never has to worry about the sun- 

 shine to mature and cure his crops, for in a semi-arid 

 country he almost always has it. In other words, be- 

 cause rainfall is practically a minus quantity, and be- 

 cause, on the other hand, he has under his control a 

 bountiful supply of water to do his bidding when and 

 where he will, the farmer who irrigates is surrounded 

 with that halo of security. 



