Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-26

The amount and times Of irrigation are wholly
determtned BY the Judgment Of the planter.
Some Hood the land, while others apply the
water by letting II stand In burrows between the
rows until 1t reaches the roots Of the plants.
Flooding is best for sandy soil, where there 10
no mineral but where minerals exist, the other
pIan Of irrigating has been prefesfed. Consider
able loss has been sustained by not applying
sufficient water Future experience, however,
may develope more successful methods Of irri-
cation. Is
where efforts, are being made to raise cottonis
wholly Of temporary formations, located upon
the former river bed the sub strata to which is
congiomerate, which appears pretty solid and
well cemented, but upon being brought in CON-
tact with water Immediately dissolves.
We have no rains. and our crops depend wholly
upon irrigation, which, ia some instances, has
proved most precarious dependence. Upwards
Vile, In constructing dam from which to take
water out Of the river for irrigation. In June
last, cloud burst on the mountain and the
waters falling into wide wash leading into the
river, about two miles above the settlemen Mt,
caused rise which swept away the dam, and
with II a man who was standing on II near It's
junction with the river bank. The dam was
composed Of this apparently solid conglomerate
and was supposed to be impregnable, but as the
water rose and began to how over so as to, satu-
rate the conglomerate below, the whole dam
gave way In an instant Here pended the hopes
Of the new settlement for sustenance aud now
the adjoining settlements, who turned ont almost
en- nadsss, another dam was made and their crop
chiefly saved ..
Salt, saleratus, and other minerals which exist
in the soil and manifest themselves upon its be-
ing irrigated are most destructive to the cotton
have seen some pieces so totally destroyed thai
not vestige Of the plant remained. There II a
hot, sultrv wind from the desert' that occasion
ally blows, which is also dreaded, for wherever
IL passes vegetation willis as " parched by deser
thirst, and dies at once. l have witnessed, In
several instances, the effect of this wind. Cool
nights are also somewhat frequent, and very det-
rimental. .f. .-.r -.
Notwithstanding all these discouraging and
apparently insurmountable difficulties attendan,
upon cotton. growing here, the indomitabic per
severance, energy and determination OF the peo-
pie to produce something for themselves Is such
that hardy Adventures are constantly looking for
new locations, hoping, perhaps vainly, to fnd a
still more congenial soil for the culture Of that
important article--coiton, which has been by
statesmen called the "king'' Of the world A
tract Of Land of about 300 acres has been discov-
cred above Tocqueville, on the Rio Virgin, which
Is pronounced good, but there will be great ea-
pense incurred in getting out the water for irri-
CATION, ana ii is said to be impossible to construct
wagon road to il. II should be occupied, the
cultivators will be under the necessity Of pack
ing tcarry ing) their farming implements and
seed. II y. !
There Is small cotton gin at Fort Clara, and a
smaller one at w ashington The cotton has thus
far been carded by hand. .-.
l am, sir, your obedient servant, .--
JANE. McKsIeHr.
To Hon. j. HARTSETT, Secretary of Utah Terri.