The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-09-05
LETTER FROM COLORADO
How They IrriGate.

DEAR NEWS: "Trips to the
mountains" are becoming common
place. Even the great John Rob-
insOn's cIrcus7 has come and gone,
and 1 was wondering what could
write about that would interest you,
when friend settled the matter by
asking this question, GLOW do they
iFrigate out there ?"
Pictures of water wheels in the
biographies rose before me, and /
expected to view them upon arriv-
ing here, but my ideas upon the
subject were soon dispelled, upon
riding up Clear creek canyon. a
few miles above Golden we passed
the starting point of what is known
as the Clear creek ditch. The water
falls SO many feet by the time it
reaches the plains that no other
force is required to send it all over
the land. Denver aud the south side
of the Platte river is watered by
the Platte ditch. This river flows
through the city, and at a distance
of % miles above us, near the base
of the mountains, the ditch is be
gun as it nears the city it is carried
over ground somewhat elevated,
and at right angles with the streets.
From this smaller bitches are cut
on both sides of the streets; from
these still smaller ones lead in any
direction desired. These are so
numerous that one soon finds the
term, Irritating bitches" quite ap-
propriate. By simply taking a stroll
through the city, one acquires the
art of jumping, learing, and tumb-
ling, all free of charge, the only
thing that comes to my mind at this
moment that is free here.
The water has q fall of about
three feet to the mile, and each far
mer constructs branch ditch and
pays for the water at the rate of SO
per day for fifteen inches of water.
No farm, or rancho, as it is termed
here, be it large or small, can pro-
duce much unless "under ditch"
consequently good ranches COM
mand fabulous prices. Farm pro-
duce Is very high, and after a man
gets once started 1 see no reason
why he should not be independent
In a very few years. Our neighbor,
with q small piece of land, raised
200 quarts of strawberries for which
he received $500 this simmer. The
corporation pays for the water with
in the city limits. I've been here
nearly four months aud have seen
no black soil but once, and that was
on q mountain side near George
town, and it was really refreshing
to see something besides this sand
and clay.
The gardens of the city receive |
the benefit of the Holly water if the |
owner feels disposed to pay for it,
and the great number of beautiful
lawns attest its free use. 1t is a
refreshing sight to walk along I'M
der the shade trees and see the
fountains playing, and the people
with hose in hand dlsning the cool
water in every direction. 1 am de-
cidedly in favor of Holly water
works, and hope some day to see
them in Emporia.
The great want of Colorado now
is q general system of irrigation to
make of it farming country. The
same is true of the neighboring ter
ritories. The question of grand
convention to take the matter in
hand and discuss the merits of a
scheme that has lately been origi
mated for its furtherance is now I'M
der consideration. This scheme is
briefly this: To create q fund for
irrigating purposes by issuing the
bonds of the territory; to construct
with such fund large canals which
will carry water to extensive tracts
of government land; to have the
| Aohu Ihuo bAOuSuI GAAOl WolCL OPOH
to presumption at two dollars and a
half per acre instead of one dollar
and q quarter and to have half the
proceeds from the sale of such
lands (thus doubled in price,
transferred from the government to
the territory to cover the interest
and principal of its bonds. This
scheme Is one of great importance
to Colorado, as we all know the
soil produces wonderful wheat,
vegetables, aud small fruits when it
is plentifully supplied with water.
1 could tell great deal more about
this subject but probably this is
enough. do certainly think that
for a number of years yet this is a
good country for farmers, but am
/ just as sure that it takes money to
) make q start. NJ. L. Z.