ANALYSES OF WELL, SPRING, MINERAL AND ARTESIAN WATERS. 109 
In the use of a water for irrigation purposes the following 
questions may arise :— | 
lst. As to the composition of the soil it is proposed to irrigate, 
also whether alkaline ; as the water added for irrigation pur- 
poses if alkaline represents so much alkali added to a soil 
perhaps already alkaline. 
2nd. The nature of the crop or vegetation it is proposed to irrigate. 
ord. The climate and temperature, also rainfall, these to a great 
extent determining the class of products that can be grown 
with a profit. 
Ath. The analysis of the water supply, and its freedom from 
excessive quantities of alkali and other injurious substances. 
5th. Drainage, and thereby washing out the accumulation of salts 
deposited in the soil. 
The benefit derived from Irrigation. 
The value of irrigation in arid districts and the benefits derived 
therefrom, are well known in India, America and elsewhere. In 
the southern parts of California irrigation has transformed seem- 
ing deserts into a maze of gardens, orchards and orange groves. 
This is now the case in South Australia at Messrs. Chaffey Bros. 
Irrigation Works at Renmark and Mildura in Victoria, these 
districts through the energy of the Messrs. Chaffey Bros., and the 
help of the Government are being converted into gardens, orchards, 
and orange groves, thus giving employment to some thousands of 
the “Sons of the Soil.” The entire population of the Mildura 
settlement last year numbered over 3,000 people, and the town- 
ship will possess an Agricultural College where settlers may 
acquire a training in the science and art of horticulture and agri- 
culture. 
As yet little has been done in New South Wales, excepting in 
a small way, to utilise our waters for irrigation purposes, although 
it is proposed shortly to start on the large scale and form an 
Irrigation Colony in the Mulgoa District near Penrith ; the water 
is to be conserved from the Nepean River and its various tributaries 
and. will be the means of.opening up a large.tract of country, 
