fore and after the application of irrigation.

COUNTIES. 1879. 1889.

Fresno $6,354,596 $25,387,173
Los Angeles 16,368,649 84,376,310
Merced 5,208,245 14,146,845
Orange 2,817,700 9,270,767
San Bernardino 2,576,973 23,267,955
San Diego 8,525,253 31,560,918
Stanislaus 6,232,368 15,594,003
Solano 2,651,367 6,966,007
Tulare 5,204,777 24,343,013
---------- ------------
Total $55,939,928 $234,912,991

A few words more on the first question of cost, which is one a practical
mind is always asking and re-asking. The Aberdeen _Daily News_, which
ought to know, for there are several wells in its neighborhood easy to
study, states that a six-inch well can be put down for less than $2,300,
and that any of the principal wells at Aberdeen, Hitchcock, Redfield,
Woonsocket, Huron, or Yankton will irrigate six hundred and forty acres,
which would bring the cost to less than $4.00 per acre for twelve inches
of depth during the growing season. Mr. Hinds, of the Hinds ranch, has
been charging adjacent farmers, however, only $1.00 per acre for water
from his well, and considers it a paying investment. I cannot resist the
temptation of closing this brief inquiry into and commentary upon this
most important question by citing a picturesque passage from the
Aberdeen _Daily News_:--

"The power of these wells is almost inconceivable. An iron bar
eight feet long and two inches in diameter was accidentally
dropped into the tubing of one of them, decreasing the flow for
a short time, but it was soon ejected by the water with such
force as to break the elbow of a strong iron pipe. When the well
at Huron was first put down, no make of water mains was strong
enough to withstand the full pressure of the water. The same may
be said of nearly all the wells. The fact is that the artesian
wells of this valley furnish _the mechanical power of the
world_. This power requires no fuel, no engines, no repairs, no
extra insurance. It never freezes up, nor blows up, nor dries
up. _It can be managed by a girl baby_; $1,500 will furnish
everlasting fifty horse-power. The wonder is that all the
woolen, cotton, silk,