The record-union., 1895-09-10

inches on the average, of which quantity
nearly one-half, or l7.2l inches, falls dur
ing the season of growing crops. On tho
other hand, in the Sacramento Valley,
we find the average annual rainfall to be
less than 20 inches, all of which falls IN
the limited number of months constitute
ing the so-called rainy season. and is not
so evenly distributed throughout the year
as is the Italian rainfall, and does not
occur at all when moisture is necessary
for the growth of most crops.
And while it may be truly said, in a
general way. that irrigation is not neces-
sary to the production of excellent crops
In this region. yet there is no denying the
fact that it effects a wonderful increase in
the productiveness OF the soil. In the
work on Italian Irrigation" prepared
by X. Baird Smith, f. q. S., Captain OF
Royal Engineers, for many years en-
ployed by the British Government in the
construction of the wonderful irrigation
system of India, and who was sent by
that Government to Italy TO study and
report upon italian irrigation" for its
information and guidance in connection
irrigation system of India. we find the
best of expert testimony III support Of
the irrigation theory. AS q result of his
observations, he tells US of vast inn
provement III soils, in many cases COM
pleie renovation of previously compara-
lively worthless soils, have uniformly
been the result OF these generations OF
irrigation"
Writing of a district known as the an
cIent Lumellina, this author says: Prior
to the construction OF those great canals
which now traverse these provinces, all
authorities agree in picturing their con-
dItion as deplorable in the extreme. Their
soil-arid. when light and sandy, and
when heavy. retaining the water, and SO
forming pestilential marshes -renained
almost waste; no regular culture coulu be
established; the population was scanty
and impoverished, and, with the un-
healthy state OF agriculture. internal in
dustry and external commerce had their
close sympathy. Nothing could be moro
striking than the contrast between the
Lumellina unirrigated and the same dis
trict irrigated. \ ow il rivals the Milanese
in its rich produotiveness; il is one OF The
most densely populated regions in
Europe; its soils have received just the
elements they wanted to call forth their
inherent powers; and instead OF arid
wastes or extensive marshes, corn folds,
green meadows, or rice grounds cover the
face of the country. The population OF
the irrigated plain amounts TO very
nearly one million of souls"
AS illustrative of the indirect benefits
of the Italian system of irrigation-that
is, the increased rental value of irrigated
lands over their rental value when not
rrigated-Captaiu Smith writes: "Ag-
gregating the entire irrigation system of
Lombardy we find that the area actually
irrigated is LOCI, ,292 acres At very
moderate estimate the annual rental of
these lands is increased, over their rental
value not irrigated, to the extent of $780,
900 Tor 2,S00.000), representing a capital
value of fully sl4.000,000 $50, 900. 900, due
to the employment OF irrigation IN this
fertile region"
This matter is worthy of the most seri-
GUS consideration of all who are inter-
ested in the welfare of Sacramento City
and County, and it will be only q ques-
ton Of time when its vital importance
shall become fully realized.