176 SOUTHERN BORDER OF CENTRAL COAL FIELD. 



leys below. In the first three miles below the springs there is a fall of 46 

 feet. The valleys of the stream are broad and level, so that there would be 

 no trouble in getting water over the entire space. The soils are well adapted 

 to the purpose of irrigation, being black sandy, with a subsoil that would re- 

 tain moisture for a considerable length of time. Although this water is 

 largely mineralized when first issuing from the springs, it is not found to be 

 detrimental to the growth of crops, nor does it injure the land after having 

 gone a distance of a mile or two in an irrigating ditch. There is land enough 

 subject to irrigation in the valleys below to consume all the water furnished 

 by these springs. This water might also be taken out of the Lampasas River 

 at other places than immediately below the city. The water might be first 

 used in driving machinery for manufacturing purposes near the town, and 

 afterwards taken from the channel and used for the purpose of irrigation. 



There are several springs along Cherokee Creek that might be used in a 

 small way for irrigation; or the creek might be taken as a whole and used 

 upon some of its broad valleys. The Cherokee Springs, at the head of the 

 creek, furnish a large amount of water, and at a very small expenditure the 

 water could be carried to the broad valleys below. Already a dam has been 

 constructed across the channel below one of the springs, and at a small ex- 

 pense of a few hundred dollars it could be extended so as to include the water 

 from both springs. This water is fresh, and the springs are constant in 

 amount of water they furnish. 



The Fleming Spring, three miles east of the town of San Saba, furnishes 

 water to irrigate at least 300 acres of land if properly distributed. It issues 

 from beneath the massive limestone at about the same height as the valleys. 

 Already a part of the water is being utilized for irrigating purposes. At 

 one time it was the intention of a former owner to use all the water from the 

 spring for irrigating his farm, but he was restrained from doing so by an 

 action brought against him by the owners of land below him on the creek 

 made by this spring. A large part of the water now goes to waste. 



The Hubbard Spring, a mile northeast of the Fleming Spring, is well situ- 

 ated for irrigating purposes and furnishes about the same amount of water. 

 It is also used in a small way for irrigation, but the most of the water runs 

 to waste. There is plenty of land in reach of this water to consume it all by 

 irrigation, but the riparian rights of the owners of land below on the stream 

 have been asserted. 



The large spring just east of the town of San Saba, which is now used for 

 driving machinery in the flouring mill and the water works, furnishes a suffi- 

 cient amount of water to irrigate several hundred acres of land, but is per- 

 mitted to run into the river after serving the before mentioned purposes. A 



