20 



nearer the surface. The town of Redlands was therefore plotted, 

 about twenty-two years ago, in an absolutely arid region. These 

 calculations turned out to be perfect and the town of Redlands 

 is now one of the most beautiful in the world, and surrounded by 

 one of the most fertile of regions. Series of pictures illustrated 

 the arid conditions which antedated irrigation, and were contrasted 

 with others showing the rich orchards, vineyards, and other cul- 

 tivated tracts of the present day. Land which was absolutely 

 worthless now yields rich dividends on a valuation of from one 

 thousand to two thousand dollars per acre. Other pictures illus- 

 trated the snow-capped summits of winter, the humid, forest-clad 

 slopes and the gradually changing flora of the descent to the 

 plain. The Coniferae of these mountains are of exceptional in- 

 terest, because of their rarity or limited distribution. The very 

 peculiar branch-system of Pinus Sabiniana, unlike that of any 

 other pine, was well illustrated by several slides. It was remarked 

 that two fine characteristic specimens of this species exist in the 

 Pinetum of the New York Botanical Garden. Other Coniferae 

 illustrated, besides many other forest species, were Pimis Coidteri, 

 Heyderia deatrrens, Abies concolor, and Pseudotsitga inacrocarpa. 



The peculiar problems affecting the conduct of the water to the 

 plains and its distribution to the consumer, arising from the tend- 

 ency to loss through seepage and phenomenal evaporation, the 

 legal questions arising in regard to water rights, the necessity of 

 governmental regulation of water supplies, the methods of esti- 

 mating the requirements of various crops, under different condi- 

 tions, and the methods of measurement and sale of the water 

 were discussed. 



A large number of illustrations were presented showing the 

 methods of applying water to the orchards and vineyards. Others 

 illustrated typical fruit trees, in flower and fruit, fruit gathering, 

 drying, and packing. Many slides of very great beauty repre- 

 sented the street planting of trees and other methods employed 

 to beautify the cities and their suburbs. 



Adjourned. 



Percy Wilson, 



Secretary 



