The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-19
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IRRIGATION MN IrALN.
The Late King Humbcrt Champion
of IntcrunI improvements.


Eo the Editor of The Post.
Washington, August 14.-Through the
assassination of King Humbert of Italy
the poor people of that historic land lost
d conscientious friend. Although Rome
and later Italy have supported many ty-
rants who have trampled upon the people
as upon worms, others OF its rulers, King
Humbert among the number have had the
good of the peasants thoroughly at heart
and have endeayored II improve and
ameliorate their condition. Especially
notable as a means to this end have been
the irrigation works Of Itlly, largely IN
dertaksn and tostered by her successive
monarchs and miniatures.
The early Romans were careful irri-
gators and Italy is known in history is
the classic land of irrigation, although it
Is not believed that any hrge irrigation
systems or great canals were constructed
until in comparative recent times. As in
the far East, springs, wells and small
streams easily diverted from their chan
nels, were the sources of supply, but in
the last few centuries Italy has developed
some magnificent irrigation systems. In
the districts OF Piedmont and Lam5ardy
hundreds OF thousands of poor people have
found relief and comfort through the re-
vivifying influence of water, great tracts
claimed TO irrigation. Nothing could be
more striking than the contrast Between
some ot the irrigated and the uniri'igltci
districts. Many Of the latter are among
the most densely populated regions o
Europe. Their soils have received Just
the element needed to call forth their in
herent powers and instead of arid wastes
and extensive marshes, cornhelds, rice
grounds, tlaXtields and green meadows
arT, II
OF the country with prosperous farm and
cottages surrounded by the vine ar I the
hs and inha oited by happy families. It is
only necessary to compare the present
condition of the provinces where irriga-
ton exists with their destitute past ia see
the good which a wise government pulley
has wrought for the people. Nearly, GOO
years have been required to perfect . the
splendid canal system of Piedmont, and
to change its once arid wastes and dreary
marshes Into sheets of cultivation The
moral presents Itself that to irrigatory,
In the United States, who are but begins
ming this work, they may have cheerful
hearts In sight of what has already bed
accomplished In this country by priva,b
capital in fiftieth part OF that time. "
The late king always evinced par tic
ular interest In the irrigation work Of
State and in the possibilities of e "a
, =,
while about 100000 acres OF laus be
Italy are already under irrigation sp
Is by no means all the land .suhiecn tu
reclamation and projects are now on he
t0r additional development, the pc 81,
bilities OF which are very great. o.
great government irrigaHng canals n
italy have length Of over 40 miles 4
the vast network OF distributing channi en-
aggregate total length of somethl a.
over 1000 miles. ~,
II is understood that the new kin IA
Victor Emanuel III. will devote hims,st
largely TO internal improvements, hripl
breaking away from the staggering eeLr
pense to the State of foreign entangi 70
ments and alliances. ~
Italian history contains many interd or
ing accounts OF wars and strifes over sa
sources OF irrigation during the days m
| teudalism and of conflicts with fore
nations, An interesting incident is ! e.
OF the temporary destruction. and : &c
mediate repair of the Navglio Martesa
rne large canal of Milan. During the NJ
century. owing to excessive preSs =
about 500 feet Of the channel near IN 70
was carried away. cutting off tho ~ II
supply or the city and. occurring in,en nj
lust as the demand for irrigatio of n
commencing, It necessltated the Sc
energy to complete the repairs in tiate
save the great crop dependent u. ,o, H.
waters II was considered neh ~, a
among other things. to replace
cient earthen embankment by yanu II
tanning wall of brick masonry. TYSON. y
eminent acted with great yigor Prins !
work was successful. six weeks Lea,
mendous effort suffcng for It's twp n
ton. At such times the people il
gated countries aupreeiate the q, are o
OF their governments, When thei
government In India reopened Il man =
canal great concourses OF peoplec,n.on =
panied the waters as they passed. I
along through the new channelm and .
were thrown into the stream. \ reg
multitudes loudly expressed tht me !
and welcomed with glad cheers f.sn.
Of the long-deslred waters. Simbrs q ;
Canal Martesana upon it's reopd Hous-
cheer after cheer arose as the nnu &
poured nast All classes and {
united In bestowing the hlghef; =.
unon the engineers and the adk o'NNe
tion. for their energy had saved I. chill
OF the year. Guy e. 10
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