{"product_id":"the-mother-ditch-paperback","title":"The Mother Ditch - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eOliver La Farge\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe mother ditch, or \u003cem\u003eacequia madre\u003c\/em\u003e, is the main water line that is dug by hand and feeds many of the smaller \u003cem\u003eacequias\u003c\/em\u003e that cover the fertile land of Northern New Mexico. The \u003cem\u003eacequias, \u003c\/em\u003ewater ditches, were used to irrigate the fields of crops for many farmers in the early days of settlement in New Mexico. A unique technology, the \u003cem\u003eacequia\u003c\/em\u003e, especially the mother ditch, had to be taken care of by everyone in the community that benefited from its generosity. A governing body was established to watch over the utilization and maintenance of the ditch. The \u003cem\u003emayordomo\u003c\/em\u003e was the top elected official to preside over the governing council, and he was also required to perform numerous responsibilities representative of the people of the community. The \u003cem\u003eacequia \u003c\/em\u003ewas truly one of the last vestiges of a life where people depended on each other for survival. The life of the community revolved around the \u003cem\u003eacequia\u003c\/em\u003e. Cooperation was essential to ensure everyone's sustenance. Today, many of the \u003cem\u003eacequias\u003c\/em\u003e the early settlers of New Mexico depended on have dried up. Yet, when one stands in the footings of these sand pits, you can feel the presence of the power of water that was so significant to the development of human progress in this part of the continent. English and Spanish edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 64\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.19 x 8.52 x 9.91 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 31, 2016\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42693869076543,"sku":"9780865340091","price":22.74,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/8226\/1823\/files\/b0c7c6e6331af7cf541dd222e4ab6c98.webp?v=1765000226","url":"https:\/\/dhlswag.com\/products\/the-mother-ditch-paperback","provider":"BBB","version":"1.0","type":"link"}