Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-19
IrrigatIonIn Italy.
(From the National Irrigation Associi
ton, Washington, u. CO

llOT, NaSnlllBtoI, u. W
Through the assassination of King
Humbert. OF Italy, the. poor people of
that historic land lost Il conscientious
friend. Although Rome. and later Italy.
have supported many tyrants who have
trampled upon the necks of the people
as upon worms, others of its rulers, King
Humbert among the number, have had
the good of the peasants thoroughly al
heart and have endeavored to improve
and ameliorate their condition. Especial
ly notable as means to this end have
been the irrigation works of Italy, largely
undertaken and fostered by her successive
monnrchs and ministries
The early Romans were careful irriga-
tors and Italy is known in history as the
classic land OF irrigation although 1t Is
TENS great canals were constructed
until In comparative recent times. AS IN
the far East springs, wells and small
nes. were the sources OF supply: but in
the last few centuries Italy has devei-
oped some, magnificent irrigation sys,,
TENS. In the districts Of Piedmont and
Lombardy hundreds of thousands of poor
people have found relief and comfort
through the revivifying influence of water.
great tracts of marsh and waste land
having been reclaimed to irrigation. Moth
ing could be more striking than the con,
trast between some OF the irrigated and
the unirriGated districts. Many of the
former are among the most densely popu-
received just the element needed to call
forth their inherent, powers, and Instead
OF arid wastes and extensive marshes;
corn fields, rice grounds. flax fields and
green meadows, producing wonderful
crops, cover. the face of the country with
prosperous farms and cottages, surrouned
by the vine and the fig, and Inhabited by
happy families. 1t Is only, necessary to
compare the present conditions of the
provinces where irrigation exists with
their destitute past to see the good that
Il wise government policy has wrought
for the people. Nearly six hundred years
have been required to perfect the splcn-
did canal system of Piedmont, and to
change Its once arid wastes and drcary
marshes into sheets OF cultivation. The
moral presents itself that TO irrigators In
the United States. who are but beginning
this work, they may have cheerful hearts
IN sight of what has already been ac-
complishcd in this country by private
capital in a tiftieth part OF that time.
ticular interest in the irrigation work of
the State and in the. possibilities of rural
Improvement throush Mater reciamai ION
in Italy are already under irrigation this
l.. L.. iainaiis- :.llihn Land $ttia5-+t - r.
clamation, and projects are now on foot
for additional development. the possiblli-
ties of which are very great. The great
government irrigating canals in Italy
vast network OF distributing channels
aggregate n total length OF something
over 200 miles.
1t is understood that the new King,
Victor Emmanuel Ill. will devote HIM
self largely to Internal improvements.
expense of the State of Foreign entanglc-
ments and alliances.
SAVED THE CROP.
Italian history contains many interest
ing accounts of wars and strifes over the
sources of irrigation during the days of
nations. An interesting incident is told
of the temporary destruction and imme-
date repair of the Naviglio Martesana.
last century, owing to excessive pressure,
about 500 feet of the channel near Milan
supply OF the city and occurring in April.
just as the demand for irrigation was
commencing 1t necessitnted the utmost
to save the great crop dependent upon
it's waters. 1t was considered necessary
among other things, to replace the an
tanning wall OF brick masonry. The gov
eminent acted with great vigor and the
mendou5 effort sufficing for It's compile
ton. At such times the people OF irri-
gated countries appreciate the exertions
government in India reopened the Deih!
canal, great concourses, Of people accom-
panied the waters as they passed slowly
were thrown into tho stream and the
multitudes loudly, EXPRESSED their JOY
OF the long desired waters. Similarly tho
inhabitants of Milan collected in vast
numbers along the DankS or inc canal
Martesana upon It's reopening and cheer
after cheer arose as the waters poured
past. All classes and parties united in
bestowing the highest praise upon the
engineers and the administration. for
their energy had saved tho crops of the
e"'' GUY f. MITCHELL.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS.
There Is no line of work whore the
national government can do more good
than In that which is being carried on by
tho Geological Survey in directing tho
way to the development and conservation
OF the water resources Of the country.
Advertising is valuable exactly IN
pronorfiOu IN the oxtont 10 which the