"When I first described the place to you, I told you that there was
a main stream with a smaller one running into it, and that I
thought that this last would be very useful. I examined the ground
very carefully, and I found that the small stream runs for some
distance between two slight swells, which narrow in sharply to each
other just below the house. Now I find that a dam of not more than
fifty feet wide and eight feet high will make a sort of lake a
quarter of a mile long, and averaging fifty yards wide. From this
the water will flow over the whole flat by the river in front of
the house and away to the left, and we shall be able to irrigate at
least three or four hundred acres of land. Upon these we shall be
able to raise four or five crops a year; and one crop in
particular, the alfalfa, a sort of lucern for fattening the cattle
in time of drought, when the grass is all parched up. At that time
cattle ordinarily worth only fifteen dollars can be sold, if fat,
for forty-five or fifty dollars. So you see, boys, there is a grand
prospect before us."
The boys entered enthusiastically into the scheme, and the party
went at once to inspect the spot which Mr. Hardy had fixed upon for
the dam. This, it was agreed, should be commenced the very next
day; and Mr.
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