IRRIGATION

The operation of water• ing lands for agricultural purposes by artificial means. -Irrigation company. A private corpora• tion, authorized and regulated by statute in several states. having for its object to acquire ex-, elusive rights to the water of certain streams or other sources of supply, and to convey it by means of ditches or canals through a region where it can be beneficially used for· agricultural purposes, and either dividing the water among stockholders, or making contracts with consu'mers, or furnishing a supply to all who apply at fixed rates.-Irrigation district. A public and quasi-municipal corporation authorized by law in several states, comprising a defined region or area of land which is susceptible of one mode of irrigation' from a common source arl.d by the same system of works. These districts are created by proceedings in the nature of an election under the supervision of a court, and are authorized to purchase or condemn the lands and waters nece ary for the system of irrigation proposed and to construct nece ary canals and other works, and the. water is apportioned ratably 1;1.mong the land-owners of the district. [s. 663]