XCIV. T. ROOKE. 
Owing to the drought, there was but one-half the usual 
amount of water delivered during the year; the supply 
was principally obtained from a pumping system. From 
numerous pumping plants near Azusa, in Los Angeles 
County, water has been sold during the years 1898 and 
1900 at the rate of £3 12s. to £6 per acre foot. At Ontario, 
£2 per acre irrigated is charged each year. At Hollywood, 
a suburb of Los Angeles, 6d. a 1,000 gallons is charged, or 
£6 10s. per acre foot. The land is used for growing lemons. 
The annual charge for the irrigation of citrus lands in 
Southern California, varies from £1 to £6 per acre, and 
probably averages £2 per acre irrigated, the supply being 
from 12 to 36 inches in depth of irrigation water. In 
addition to this there is about 15 inches of winter rain. 
The citrus fruits need about twice as much water as the 
deciduous fruits, and alfalfa requires more than either. 
Value of Land.—The open range of the arid regions is 
generally stated to be capable of supporting a cow for 
every 20 or 30 acres. The same land, when watered and 
put in alfalfa, will frequently feed 10 times as many 
cattle, or in orchards with favourable climate will support 
a family of 3 or 5 persons. The open range may have a 
value of 2/1 per acre, and under irrigation the value may 
rise to £10 per acre, or even £100 per acre wihenjan 
orchards. In Arizona, with continuous warmth and sun- 
shine, and with the necessary water, intensive farming is 
practised, and it is estimated that a family of 5 persons 
can be well supported upon 20 acres or even less if covered 
with orchards. Between Kuna, Mexico, the Colorado 
River, and the desert Mesa to its east, there are 50,000 
acres of fertile land, of which 10% is now under cultivation 
producing alfalfa, corn, wheat, and some Hgyptian cotton. 
Crops can be grown every month of the year. Alfalfa is 
cut from seven to eight times, producing 10 to 15 tons 
