IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS ON CACHE CREEK, 183 



of court," which when the necessitj' arose might Ije invoked. A few days later a 

 force of citizens of Lake County appeared at the mill, and after removing carefully 

 everything that was movable destroj'ed the works. This was in 1868. The milldam 

 and mill were never replaced, but Lake County is still pa3'ing interest on bonds issued 

 to liquidate the damages incurred through this appeal to "higher law." 



PtrMPmG PLANTS. 



Discouraged b\- the difficulties attending the use of water from the ditches, 

 a number of pumping plants have been established along and near Cache Creek. 

 Views of some of these are shown in Fl. XVII. These were visited, and data con- 

 cerning their operation collected from the owners. A table exhibiting the more 

 important facts collected is herewith given. Several of these plants pump directly 

 from the creek, and the farmers who use wells would prefer the water from the 

 stream if it could be obtained when needed. The surface waters carry elements of 

 fertility which are wanting in the underground supply. The onlj- advantage of the 

 well is its independence of other uses. Except the Yolo orchard, the Jackson, the 

 Blowers, and Peart places, the farms are small. They well illustrate what may be 

 done on small areas well cultivated when water can be had as needed. The expense 

 of pumping is considerable, and for field crops would, except under very careful 

 management, be prohibitory. But with orchard and vinej'ard and garden, where the 

 value of the crop as compared with the area to be irrigated is great, it can be made 

 a success. The water is raised from 10 to 35 feet, and the fuel used is wood, coal, 

 gasoline, brush, or straw, the last named probabl}- being the cheapest. 



There are 20-acre farms in the list given that employ more help and whose crops 

 bring greater net returns than manj- of the large wheat farms of Yolo County. 

 The table contains material worthy of careful stud}^ and of further discussion, but 

 time and space forbid. 



