334 DRY-FARMING 



not to 1)0 considered seriously in connection with 

 the problem. 



A much more important method, especially in 

 the mountainous districts, is the utilization of the 

 springs that occur in great numbers over the whole 

 dry-farm territory. Sometimes these springs are 

 very small indeed, and often, after development by 

 tunneling into the side of the hill, yield only a tri- 

 fling flow. Yet, when this water is piped to the home- 

 stead and allowed to accumulate in small reservoirs 

 or cisterns, it may be amply sufficient for the needs 

 of the family and the live stock, besides leaving a 

 surplus for the maintenance of the lawn, the shade 

 trees, and the family garden. i\Iany dry-farmers 

 in the intermountain country have ])iped water 

 seven or eight miles from small springs that were 

 considered practically worthless and thereby have 

 f(jrmed the foundations for small village communi- 

 ties. 



Of perhaps equal importance with the utilization 

 of the naturally oceuri'ing sj^rings is the proper con- 

 servation of the fio(jd waters. As has been stated 

 before, arid conditions allow a very large loss of the 

 natural precij^itation as run-off. The numerous 

 gullies that characterize so many parts of the dry- 

 farm territory are evidences of the number and 

 vigor of the flood waters. The construction of small 

 reservoirs in proper places for the purpose of catch- 

 ing the flood waters will usually enable the farmer 



