54 National Geographic Magazine. 
Within the year the rainfall conditions of twelve Western States 
and Territories have been published with elaborate tables of data 
and fifteen large charts, which set forth in considerable detail the 
rainfall conditions for that section of the country. In addition 
the climatic characteristics of Oregon and Washington have been 
graphically represented ; and rainfall maps,—unfortunately on 
a small scale,—have been prepared, showing for each month, the 
average precipitation of the entire United States, as determined 
from observations covering periods varying from fifteen to eigh- 
teen years. 
In Missouri, Professor Nipher has prepared normal rainfall 
charts for that State, unfortunately on rather a small scale. In 
New York, Professor Fuertes, and in Michigan, Sergeant 
Conger, of the Signal Service, have commenced maps showing, 
by months, the normal temperatures of their respective States on 
maps of fairly open scale. Work of a similar character has been 
carried on in Pennsylvania under the supervision of Professor 
Blodget, well known from his climatological work. In other 
directions and in other ways, work of a similar character is in 
progress. 
Without doubt too much is anticipated from pending or pro- 
jected irrigation enterprises in the very arid regions of the West. 
These unwarranted expectations must in part result from a failure 
on the part of the investors to consider the general question of 
these enterprises, in its varied aspects, with that scientific exact- 
ness so essential in dealing theoretically with extended subjects 
of such great importance. . 
Everyone admits the correctness of the statement that the 
amount of water which flows through drainage channels to the 
sea, cannot exceed the amount which has evaporated from adjacent 
oceans and fallen as precipitation on the land. Further it is not 
to be denied that the quantity of water available in any way for 
irrigation must be only a very moderate percentage of the total 
rainfall which occurs at elevations above, and perhaps it may be 
stated considerably above, that of the land to be benefited. 
Elsewhere it might be appropriate to dwell in detail upon the 
importance of cultivated land in serving as a reservoir which 
parts slowly with the water fallen upon or diverted to it, and in 
avoiding the quick and wasteful drainage which obtains in sections 
devoid of extensive vegetation or cultivation; and also that 
water thus taken up by cultivated lands must later evaporate and 
