APPENDIX 



stow great pains upon this method, and succeed in wetting 

 the ground very evenly. Another method of flooding fields 

 is now much used in connection with alfalfa, a wonderful 

 forage plant extensively cultivated throughout the arid region. 

 This produces three crops a year in the north and six crops 

 in the south, and is not only eaten by stock, but by poultry 

 and swine. To find the best method of watering this valua- 

 ble crop has been the object of careful study and experiment 

 in the West. It is now accomplished by means of shallow 

 indentations or creases, which are not as large as furrows, but 

 accomplish the same purpose. These are made by a simple 

 implement at intervals of about twelve inches. They effect a 

 very thorough and even wetting of the ground. 



The scientific side of irrigation is to be studied rather in 

 connection with the culture of fruit and vegetables than with 

 field crops. It is here that the English-speaking irrigators 

 of the West have produced their best results. California has 

 accomplished more than any other locality, but nothing was 

 learned even there until the man from the North had sup- 

 planted the Spanish irrigator. The ideal climatic conditions 

 of California attracted both wealth and intelligence into its 

 irrigation industry. Scarcity of water and high land values 

 operated to promote the study of ideal methods. Where 

 water is abundant it is carried in open ditches, and little 

 thought is given to the items of seepage through the soil 

 and loss by evaporation. Under such conditions water is 

 lavishly used, frequently to the injury rather than the bene- 

 fit of crops. But in southern California water is as gold, 

 and is sought for in mountain tunnels and in the beds of 

 streams. A thing so dearly obtained is not to be carelessly 

 wasted before it reaches the place of use. Hence, steep and 

 narrow ditches cemented on the bottom, or steel pipes and 

 wooden flumes, are employed. 



This precious water is applied to the soil by means of 

 small furrows run between the trees or rows of vegetables. 



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