THE RECLAMATION OF THE WEST. 841 



and taking- them out into suitable basins where they can be held until 

 they are needed on the broad extent of arid land south of Colorado 

 River. In the eastern part of the State, on the Malheur River, are 

 other localities where the floods may be stored and where thousands of 

 acres of arid land can be converted into small farms sufficient to sup- 

 port a family in comfort. 



The theory of reclamation is to conserve the flood waters that other- 

 wise go to waste and hold them until such time as they are needed. 

 There remains in the various States a vast extent of arid lands to 

 which the flood waters can be carried and which, when watered, is 

 capable of producing large crops and furnishing homes for prosperous 

 farmers. 



