Apart from general irrigation, which is a necessary process on this leveled planet, you have been informed that there is what is termed the Irrigating and Waterways System; as we journey toward the equator we will cross the northern half of this System, which is about 1,400 miles wide, and at present nearly 5,000 in length. The central waterways traverse the equatorial and temperate regions, and in time the system will, through connections with natural water divisions, encircle the entire Planet. During the time allotted to our mission it will not be practicable to visit the entire planet, so only such portions and features of it as may best subserve our purpose will be shown you.
Throughout the north and south temperate regions the lands, wherever practicable, are cultivated, and densely populated by highly civilized and cultured people. Further northward and southward, even within the frigid zones, and under most unpromising conditions, the lands are well occupied by educated and refined races, who, possessing a knowledge of natural forces, do not so much accommodate themselves to their environments as that they, to a degree, oblige their environments to yield to their requirements. They are not at all nomads, but the vicissitudes and exigencies of many centuries of warfare with nature's pitiless and at times unconquerable forces has developed in them a migratory tendency, hence during the long winter season, through the agency of air and other transportation, they in large numbers flit to other climes, returning in the spring to their homes and occupations. These races are most interesting and some time you shall visit them.
We now will move southward. The plateau over which we now are passing is the southern boundary of Esvenemo, and a vestige of a once great mountain chain extending in a southwesterly direction and forming the northern boundary of Indoloisa̤, which is one of Ento's largest salt seas. Is not this a beautiful country? Certainly you have seen nothing surpassing it.
Gentola—Truly, I have not, and I wish that I may be able to retain a memory of the wonderfully beautiful land which seems a very paradise. There are fields cultivated like gardens, and gardens amid which are fountains and statuary, and there are groves and groups of gigantic trees. The finest, I think, are those great Bûda̤s trees, whose feathery foliage is ever in tremulous motion. There are reservoirs like miniature lakes, and all are bordered by small, pretty structures, with statuary, trees, shrubbery and blooming plants, and all are surrounded by wide paved roadways, over which people in motor vehicles or on foot are passing, and overhead air transports, like huge humming birds, are rushing in all directions. What an amazing, bewildering scene! I cannot conceive of even spirit realms being lovelier than this enchanting view.
De L'Ester—Of its kind it is very attractive; but you will be shown other views much finer. You have mentioned the tremulous motion of the foliage of Bûda̤s trees. They are so named because of the tremulousness of their leaves.
We now will move slowly onward. As you perceive, the scenes vary, but everywhere are indications of high intelligence, luxury and refined tastes. George, again we will pause for a little. What do you now see?
Gentola—What do I see? I cannot say. The scene is so unlike anything I ever have beheld that I cannot even attempt to describe it.
De L'Ester—We have reached the northern limit of the Irrigating and Waterways System, and are 700 miles from the equator. Within the limits of this system, the civilization of Ento manifests its highest expression in sciences, arts, literature, mechanics and all that constitutes a very advanced social condition. As we move onward we perceive two parallel waterways running diagonally across the equator, and they at greater or lesser intervals are intersected by smaller, but navigable, waterways. Those lofty structures are the stations containing the machinery through which the waterways and irrigating system is controlled. To such perfection has hydraulic and civil engineering been brought, and so adequate are the receiving reservoirs that little if any difficulty is experienced in regulating the water supply of Ento.
As we already have intimated, owing to Ento's excessively humid atmosphere and rather high temperature, as spring approaches and advances, the vast accumulations of ice and snow at the North Pole, and throughout the Arctic, Antarctic, frigid and temperate regions, melt with phenomenal rapidity, and water courses, lakes, rivers, canals, and waterways are filled to overflowing. Were it not that the soil to a great depth is as porous and absorbent as a sponge, even Ento's advanced methods would inadequately cope with its annual floods. The generally cloudless skies might lead you to suppose that necessarily rains must be of rare occurrence; quite the contrary, throughout the irrigated equatorial belt and temperate regions you will have occasion to observe sudden, frequent, heavy showers, but the porous soil so quickly absorbs them that they serve merely as additions to irrigation.
Previous to the introduction of the Irrigating and Waterways System, the entire equatorial regions largely were arid and unproductive; but as the great and beneficent work progressed, and the soil was supplied with life giving streams, vegetation was quickened into immediate growth, and gradually the then very infrequent rains came to be of common occurrence, and the lands of the progressing System prolific to a high degree.