xXCVI. T. ROOKE. 
suitable only for grazing after unusual rains have now been 
changed into prosperous agricultural centres, and that 
families are making a living, and getting on in the world 
by cultivating 15, 10 or even fewer acres of land which 
until the introduction of water had scarcely any value. In 
the season 1899 to 1900 a severe drought was experienced. 
For ten years there had been less than the normal rainfall, 
and for two years the rainfall had not reached one-half 
the average for the region. The supply from underground 
sources did not diminish as had been expected. The extra 
care, arising from the need for economy, had the result in 
some cases of increasing the yield. Mr. Newell remarks 
in his book on this subject, that there is probably a large 
amount of underground water to be obtained by the use 
of cheap power such as that obtained by electrical 
transmission. 
Artesian Wells.—Artesian wells are found in some parts 
of California. As the number is increased the pressure 
diminishes, and later still those wells near to the edge of 
the basin cease to be artesian. This condition of affairs 
has also been experienced elsewhere. All the artesian 
wells near Denver, Colorado, have ceased flowing, and 
water is now obtained from them by pumping. Out in the 
country lower down, the basin wells still flow. Some 
wells have ceased to flow because of mechanical defects, 
they have either choked, or the water escapes into pervious 
rocks below the surface. In some localities where wells 
were abandoned because the water did not rise to the 
surface, or the flow was unsatisfactory, the casings have 
been drawn for use elsewhere. The water has continued 
to rise from the bottom of the well and to escape into the 
higher porous strata, permitting a continual outflow from 
the artesian water-bearing rocks, but it is unnecessary to 
dwell at length on this aspect of the subject. Water 
