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BULLETIN 665, l". S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Fin. lu. — The Rio Grande. This is the source of water for irrigation 



IRRIGATION. 



As above stated, crops are sometimes produced without irrigation, 

 but during most seasons irrigation is essential to the best production. 



All Avater for irrigation purposes is taken from the Rio Grande 

 (see fig. 10), which borders tlie district on the south. Private capi- 

 tal has developed 20 or more separate systems for supplying water 

 to farmers. Companies are incorporated under Texas laws, and 

 when land is bought by the farmer contracts must be made with the 

 companies to supply the necessary irrigation water. 



The cost of water to the farmers varies considerably under differ- 

 ent companies. Under some systems water is contracted for by the 

 year at a stipulated price per acre. In such cases the farmer may 

 produce as many crops and make as many irrigations as he desires. 

 In other cases a flat rate of $3 or $4 per acre per annum is charged 

 by the company, and then each acre irrigation costs $1 above this flat 

 rate. This method is becoming common. In still other cases water 

 is furnished at a stipulated price per crop. 



The land companies and irrigation companies are generally sepa- 

 rate organizations, although the same men are not infrequently 

 directors in each. 



On account of the many difficulties encountered in the develop- 

 ment of indgation systems, as well as in securing land buyers rap- 

 idly enough to place most of the land under irrigation quickly, some 

 of the companies have had considerable financial difficulties. Under 

 these conditions it is common for the farmers under the system to 

 organize irrigation districts under the laws of Texas, issue and sell 

 bonds, and purchase the irrigation systems. The land is the security 



