20 
BULLETIN 665, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
Fig. 10. — The Rio Grande. This is the source of water for irrigation purposes. 
IRRIGATION. 
As above stated, crops are sometimes produced without irrigation, 
but during most seasons irrigation is essential to the best production. 
All water for irrigation purposes is taken from the Bio Grande 
(see fig. 10), which borders the district on the south. Private capi- 
tal has developed 20 or more separate systems for supplying water 
to farmers. Companies are incorporated under Texas laws, and 
when land is bought by the farmer contracts must be made with the 
companies to supply the necessary irrigation water. 
The cost of water to the farmers varies considerably under differ- 
ent companies. Under some systems water is contracted for by the 
year at a stipulated price per acre. In such cases the farmer may 
produce as many crops and make as many irrigations as he desires. 
In other cases a flat rate of $3 or $4 per acre per annum is charged 
by the company, and then each acre irrigation costs $1 above this flat 
rate. This method is becoming common. In still other cases water 
is furnished at a stipulated price per crop. 
The land companies and irrigation companies are generally sepa- 
rate organizations, although the same men are not infrequently 
directors in each. 
On account of the many difficulties encountered in the develop- 
ment of irrigation systems, as well as in securing land buyers rap- 
idly enough to place most of the land under irrigation quickly, some 
of the companies have had considerable financial difficulties. Under 
these conditions it is common for the farmers under the system to 
organize irrigation districts under the laws of Texas, issue and sell 
bonds, and purchase the irrigation systems. The land is the security 
