148 IRRIGATION IN UPPER INDIA. 
from canal water. Asa matter of fact, the oosur plains were in 
existence before canals were thought of. So far as I am aware, 
the only foundation for the idea that oosur is due to canal irri 
tion is that in the first plave canal water passing through oosur 
land to good land will gradually spread the oosur over the latter, 
and that in the second place excessive irrigation of land slightly 
impregnated with oosur will bring the salt to the surface. 
Irrigation is paid for in India according to the nature and 
acreage of the crops irrigated,—not because this is the best system, 
but because it is believed to be better suited to the country than 
any other yet proposed. In Australia, I think, it would be better 
to follow the European system of paying for the quantity of water 
used the water supply in Australia is very limited, no pains 
should be spared to raise the duty per cubic foot per second to the 
highest figure obtainable. 
Another point which I wish to refer to is the comparatively 
small quantity of water discharged by the Australian rivers, ali 
e consequent impossibility of obtaining large supplies for irriga- 
permanent cultivation hundreds of thousands of acres, from whi 
few or no crops were formerly obtained. Although irrigation cal 
wry out works of the same kind on a small scale, I believe it will 
be from want of enterprise and knowledge, and not from want of 
opportunity, : 
