30 | W. H. WARREN. 
done in improving the condition of the irrigation canals, 
particularly by works for reducing the excessive deposit 
of silt. 
In the United States of America irrigation has been 
successfully applied on a considerable scale, and in Cali- 
fornia the results have been most striking. In the countries 
bordering on the Mediterranean irrigation has been prac- 
tised from times as remote as in the lands of the Hast. 
In Northern Italy, Piedmont and Lombardy irrigation has 
been successfully applied over about one-third of the 
whole productive area, and many interesting works have 
been constructed, including the Cavour Canal. 
Irrigation in India is interesting to us, because it was 
there that English engineers first came in contact with a 
system which had been in existence for ages, and had 
enabled a dense population to maintain a struggle for 
existence against adverse conditions. 
From a careful consideration of the conditions existing 
in countries where irrigation has been successfully applied, 
it should be possible to devise schemes and construct 
irrigation works in Australia, which would go a long way 
towards reducing the disastrous effects resulting from 
droughts. Irrigation has been already applied in most of 
the Australian States with more or less success, but only 
on a moderate scale. It is desirable to deal with the 
subject in a more comprehensive manner, and this appears 
likely to be accomplished in New South Wales. 
Proposed expenditure on water conservation works.— 
I am indebted to Mr. L. A. B. Wade, Engineer for Water 
Conservation, for the following description of works pro- 
posed in this branch. In view of the proposed expenditure 
under the provisions of the Water and Drainage Bill of 
£1,000,000, extending over a period of five years on works 
