Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24


ship desert areas, on the one
hand, and flowing streams. on
the other. stands as the basic
purpose of irrigation, a science
of complex specific problems and a
highly developed technic OF solving
these problems. An ancient enterprise,
this one of irrigation, as both archeol-
ogist and historian demonstrate from
a worldwide investigation. Its success
implies civilization. Its failure marks
the certain ultimate fall OF such ad-
vance.
1t is now AZ years since the Reclama-
ton Bureau OF the United States was
organized. equipped and set into opera
ton. Irrigation Is a major element IN
the full scheme Of reclamation itself.
It's specific purpose was. and Is. TO
bring together in working partnership
the arid regions of this country and the
innumerable streams that, so far away,
are engaged in a perpetual marathon
ing to the sea. To join their forces
would mean more homes and a vastly
increased food production for the use
of the world. AS 1t Is. the desert Is,
plainly. loafing on the job-just paint
ing gorgeous sunsets and deyising the
illusions of mirage. The partnership
once effected. however, that same desert
would, in rich abundance, be growing
fruits and vegetables, grains and forage.
The solution OF this problem has
brought about the modern engineering
age. 1t has produced the great builder,
the engineer, industrial unifier OF the
world, a power in the economic content
Of modern existence.
The book in hand Is q descriptive
treatment Of the work of irrigation
k,xN t~f~ <trxy FrANt nth
charts and diagrams come together
here in portrayal and explanation Of
the mechanics OF irrigation. In much
of necessary detail one learns here of
the typical storage dams and the dams
for the diversion Of the waters. There
is here. too, a description, fairly clear
to the general reader, and completely
clear, one judges, to the technician him.
self q description of the high-pressure
reservoir outlet works which in certain
regions of special condition form so I'M
portant a part of the work OF irrigation.
That which passes this professionally
expert discussion out into the open Of
general interest Is the concrete por-
trayal by way Of picture and diagra-
matte Illustration of the special struc-
lures imposed by local conditions as
these are placed here and there
throughout the country. Cases in point
are the diversion dams of the Colorado
River, of the Rio Grande, and Wind
River and wildwood. And here also are
the storage dams known as the Roose-
welt and Shoshone, the Pathfinder and
Arrowrock and others. High pressure
outlets also are given the explicit. ex-
act, scientific attention that the nature
of his printing as official report requires.
A body of miscellaneous articles bearing
upon the subject, q group OF appendices
pertinent to certain important aspects
of the work as 1t now stands and bib
biography that was selected, obviously,
by an expert for Its point and useful
ness round this official volume upon a
most important. subject to q high degree
OF professional usefulness. And, more
than this, here is book that contains
every element of interest to the general
reader who desires to know and needs
to know, the work of the United States
in any direction that is pointed upon
the we'll being of the whole. To me this
is an absorbing book. You try it. 1t
will be Just that to you.
And with 1t there goes a smaller
printing. which by its nature becomes a
continuation of this one. Its title is
Foreign Markets for Irrigation Ma
chinery and Equipment"
An issue Of the Department of Com
merce, the study gives survey of the
work of irrigation as 1t Is being carried
on all over the world. This book also is
illustrated. Its descriptions cover nearly
100 countries accompanied with tables
of useful data covering area, population
and the sum of the irrigation enter
prises 1t Is arranged In six parts. one
for each OF the continents. Here in
every case Is a summary of climate, ag-
riculture and the various plans for irri-
CATION that in each case the special con-
dition imposes. The main purpose OF
this discussion is to aid the machinery
export business. the business Of trade in
irrigation machinery. It's collateral puc-
pose Is to inform and interest those In
this country who are planning to be en-
gineers. or to be students of irrigation
as an important part Of economics.
DON'T BE AFRAID. BY Josef Lobel,
M. D. Translated by George F..
Dunay. New York: G. P. Putnams
Sons. -
EEAR is the universal disease, itself
l. breeder of innumerable specific
ailments. That Is. think, conceled by
authority itself nowadays So, what
more logical than to try to come to
terms with this fundamental malady.
Here is the helping hand toward such
advance upon the common enemy of
man. Here is a physician--German. not
only in blood, but in the depth and
thoroughness of his Investigations
who brings out one and another of the
outstanding account with them.
First, however, he gives pious warn
ings against fear asking the why and
exposing the futility of it, You will,
nevertheless, go right on hugging your
fears They have been lifelong compan-
ions. Harmful ones, to be sure. but you
have not the will % kick them out of
the door for go2d and all. So, since
this is true, move on to some Of
the discoveries of this German doctor
in regard to the best beloved of our
affiictions. High blood pressure" is
one Of these. That coffee is a poison
is another. That the heart in the EN-
gine," the sole source Of continued ex-
istence is another The common method
of eating is another. A meal should
be a ritual Of intelligent selection.
leisure and enjoyment. And SO. through
tor takes up the personal economy of
every mans physical daily life. He
brings the bogies into the open, slaps
them with vigor and gusto. From this
wholesome exercise he moves into q
plain, simple. ineligible survey of Ger
tain current theories concerning the
subconscious life, the glands Of the
human body. their nature and func-
ton. He offers sense, instead of miracle,
on the subject of keeping young. on the
necessity for sound partnership between
ones will and his knowledge of the
human body There Is something to
say, something new and impressive
upon that much-handled subject Of
sleep. Indeed. the characteristic of
this book is that 1t is all of 1t new
and fresh. not In its technical findings,
but in its approach and in Its spirit.
Read 1t. Somebody calls 1t gloom
chaser" Well, it Is, in the sense that