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advance has been made in the use of surface waters by the stor- 
age of night water or waste water in reservoirs, so far as it was 
possible. And more notice is constantly being taken along these 
lines, as in the researches which are being carried on by the Ex- 
periment Station. These have been reported upon at this annual 
session of the Sugar Planters' Association. The investigations 
show that certain kinds of cane require less water to produce re- 
sults, and along these lines investigations are being followed to 
see whether cane that will produce an equal amount of sugar can 
be produced with a less amount of labor and water. 
Of course it is useless for me to talk to plantation men about 
economy, but there is one point which has presented itself to me 
in thinking of this subject, and that is the danger of expanding 
the work of the plantation beyond the amount of water which is 
available. In the great struggle to get large crops, — because the 
profits are small, and the profit consists in having a large out- 
put — the temptation is to expand to get a larger crop, and there 
is danger in the same, because of the area being in excess of 
water supply; in which case there is no economy in the use of 
water. I shall not attempt to say more in regard to what would 
be an economic use of water on the plantation. I have thought 
it more valuable to make suggestions in regard to the value of 
water and the danger of having to use less in some cases in the 
future. 
I had thought of several other points, but since Doctor Hobdy 
has told us of all these diseases, I imagine that I am afflicted 
with all of them. 
CONSERVATION OF WATER POWER. 
Address of Mr. Alonzo Gartley. 
The savage man is very closely bound to nature and his life is 
circumscribed by the natural resources. This condition he ac- 
cepts and governs his wants and life accordingly. Evolution 
from the savage to the civilized man has brought about a very 
complex condition of life, and with it the necessity of controlling 
the resources of nature and making them contribute to his ma- 
terial wants. Discovery, invention and transportation have all 
been contributory to a higher state of living, and have rendered 
resources available entirely unknown to the savage. Incident- 
ally, the wants being more readily and certainly supplied have 
constantly increased. This mastery and appropriation of the 
natural resources has made man highly civilized and yet depend- 
ent. Should these resources fail what would be the result? 
It is imperative that the natural resources be not impoverished, 
for a high civilization can endure no longer than these resources. 
Failure of any resource will not come suddenly, but failure is 
inevitable unless the resources are properly conserved. 
