Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-14

Some Wonderful IrrigatinG Works Of Pales-
tine and South America.

Some Wonderful IrrigatinE Works Of Pales-
tine and South America.
THE WONDERFUL POOLS OF SOLOMON
L near Jerusalem are mentioned in . report
on the canals Of the world just issued by the
Department Of State, as the most remarkable
irrieating works in their way that are known.
Once upon time they furnished water to the
gardens of the wise king, which, save for the
Garden of Eden. were the oldest recorded
gardens There is little doubt that the scenes
depicted in the famous ''Song Of Solo
mon" found here their original. Josephus
speaks of the place as Astounding in rivulets
Of water" and states that Solomon was wont to
visit it frequently, driving out there in the
morning-the distance is only eight miles from
Jerusalem-sftting on high in his chariot,
clothed in white. and surrounded by mounted
guards, all Of gigantic stature and in the flower
Of manhood, arrayed in Tyrian purple and in
armcr, their long hair sprinkled with gold dust
Solomon himself, speaking Of the work, says:
II made me gardens and orchards, and I
planted in them all kinds of fruits; made me
pools Of water, to water Herewith the wood
that bringeth forth trees"
The pools are three enormous reservoirs
partly cut in the rock and partly built from
massive marble masonry. The biggest one is
5S2 feet long. 200 feet wide and so feet deep.
having sufficient capacity to float the largest
man-of-war that ever ploughed the ocean. The
other pools are nearly as large. Each pool
overfows by regulated sluices into the next be-
low it. the last pool emptying its water into
the valley. These venerable structures are
at present in an excellent state of preservation,
having been repaired by Pontius PLATE. The
source OF the water supply is the Sealed Foun-
tain" Of Solomon. short distance away. This
fountain is always kept locked; hence the name.
1t afforded in former times an abundant sup
ply Of water to Jerusalem, goodly stream
being conveyed to the Enclosure of the Holy
Temple by the skillfully constructed stone
aqueduct of Solomon, the form of which proves
that the principle OF the siphon was understood
at that early day.
MASSIVE WORK OF THE rScAa
Respecting canals and irrigation in South
America. the State Departments report says
that in that part Of the world the artificial
watering Of the earth to increase its fruitful
ness is OF SO remote an origin that its history
is quite unknown. At a period probably ante
dating the birth of Christ the aboriglnes there
understood o scientIf, system of flooding,
which consisted in spreading sheet OF water
over their cultivated fields in such a manner
that it could be readily withdrawn. 1t seems
hardly possible that the natives OF Peru and
Bolivia and Of the eastern slopes Of the Andes
could have acquired their skill in this art
world. Hence, it is wonderful how they
could have constructed aqueducts and reser-
voirs on such an immense scale and in such an
enduring manner that they have defied the
changes of unnumbered centuries. When they
were built cannot be known. but their remains
prove that the people who planned and main
tanned them were in many ways highly civil
lized. Some Of the aqueducts were Of great
length. One that traversed the district of Con-
desuyos measured between $50 and 500 miles.
They were brought from some lake or natural
reservoir in the heart of the mountains and
were fed at intervals by other basins that lay
in their routes. Passages were sometimes
opened for their descent through the living
rock, without the aid of iron tools
Care was taken that every occupant OF the
land through which the irrigating streams
passed should enjoy the benefit of them. The
quantity of water allotted to each was pre-
scribed by law. royal overseers experimenting
tie distribution. Most of these works of the
Incas were suffered to go to decay by theiI
Spanish conQuerors. In some spots the waters
still left to flow in their silent subterraneoui
channels. whose windings and sources have
been alike unexplored. Others, though par
TALLY dilapidated and closed up with rubbish anc
the rank vegetation OF the soil, still betray
their course by occasional patches Of fertility
Such are the remains in the valley OF Nasca,
fruitful spot that lies between long tracts O
desert, where the ancient water courses OF thu
Incas, measuring four or five feet in depth b,
three in width. and formed of large blocks o
uncenente1 masonry, are conducted from ar
unknown distance.