To the low ridge, or spur of ground, projecting from the mountain's
base at a point half a mile south of his right of way through the
fields, where the canal began its sweep out upon the plain, he gave
considerable time. The fall of this at first was sharp, and concrete
drops would have to be constructed at intervals for a distance of a
mile or so in order to lower the water. When this section was left
behind, he advanced rapidly along the line, for the surface of the
gentle crescent swell was smooth, its grade fairly regular, and its
contour fixed by nature. Essential points he marked by stones, with
merely their surfaces exposed, so that if noticed they would be
considered scattered pieces of rock from the hills. At the proper time
they would constitute guides for later staking.

Evenings Bryant spent in developing his notes and in making tracings
of the canal sections covered. During the day hours, when he knew
watchful eyes were on him, he made a topographical survey of his
ranch; work that he could carry on openly. The five thousand acres
comprising the tract had a general direction of east and west, being
about four miles long and two miles wide, which for the most part lay
equally on each side of Perro Creek. By using the water of this stream
during the flood season, a period of some weeks in spring and early
summer, Bryant would be able very considerably to augment the supply
from the Pinas. It was necessary to join the two sources in a unified
system of laterals that would efficiently serve the tract; and
therefore the whole enterprise required study, innumerable
measurements, calculations of dirt moving, of water distribution, of
dam, weir, and gate construction, of soil analysis--a coördination of
the thousand and one matters concerned in an irrigation project that
are preliminary to breaking ground. So early and late he toiled, and
with him Dave Morris.