the snow from rapidly melting and the water from evaporating. The snows on our mountains are the source of water supply, and it is essential that this moisture be gradually distributed into the streams. The trees protect the earth from being washed away by the suddenly melting snow or heavy rains. Forests serve the purpose of reservoirs, storing waters during the time of abundant moisture, when the largest part of the water would otherwise run to waste. The vital importance of the question of the water supply, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions has justified the National Government in assuming control of the headwaters of some of the streams which are generally to be found in the forests. The dead leaves and limbs and fallen trees protect the snow from the hot sun and make its melting gradual. This gives an even distribution through the season of the water for the land below the mountain region where the streams originate, thus preventing floods at one time and drouth when water is most needed.

QUESTIONS.

1. Why are the water and land so closely related?

4.

Describe the process of acquiring title to land and water.

5. What are the duties of the State Engineer? The State Board of Control?

6. What is prior appropriation?

8. In what way is the National Government interested in the desert land of Wyoming?

9. What is meant by the "reclamation of the arid region"?

10.

Is the United States interested in any reservoirs in Wyoming?

11. What is a National Forest Reserve?

12. Describe the relation of forests to irrigation.

REFERENCES.

Mead, Irrigation Institutions.

Newell, Irrigation.

King, Irrigation and Drainage.

Smythe, The Conquest of Arid America.

Roosevelt, Winning of the West.

Gifford, Practical Forestry.

U. S. Department of the Interior, Forest Reserve Manual. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Experiment Stations:

Bulletins Nos. 86 and 104, Mead and Johnston, The Use of Water in Irrigation.

Bulletin No. 81, Buffum, The Use of Water in Irrigation in Wyoming.

GOVERNMENT IN THE DISTRICT, TOWN, CITY, COUNTY AND STATE.

The general laws governing a school district, town, city, county and State are made by the Legislature. In this wa uniform laws are obtained for all localities of the State. If one school district has free text-books, it is safe to conclude that all of the schools have the free text-book system, because the laws governing one locality govern all others. The salaries of all county superintendents and city officers are regulated by a State law; the several duties of the officers are designated by legislative acts; the limitation of officers' responsibilities is regulated by a general law; the number of county officers and school trustees and the powers of the mayor are all governed by legislative enact

ment.

The State makes the laws, but designates who shall execute them. The duty falls upon the officers who occupy the positions created by the general laws.

I. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

2. THE TOWN.

(See Education.)

A locality containing not less than one hundred and fifty people may be incorporated as a town when application is made by a majority of the electors in the district proposed to be incorporated, (R. S., Sec. 1521.) The application is made to the county commissioners, who appoint three persons whose duty it is to call a special election of the people of the location to vote upon the question of incorporation. These inspectors act as judges of the election on this question as well as in the election of officers for the town. The municipal officers of a town elected by the people are a mayor, who is elected for one year, and four councilmen, who hold office for two years. The mayor appoints a