Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-10-10
IR RIcATIoN.
Address by John T.. GOr.iOn.


nevertheless, been employed to n very
considerable extent in some of the
European States,and i'm Egypt and In
dia from time immemOrial.
The question of increasing the water
supply for agricultural purposes in
this county, is one of vast magnitude
and of paramount Importance to its
future well-being. Were it determin-
ed that an increase of water for agri-
culture was impracticable, the conclu-
sion would naturally follow that the
county had nearly attained the maxi
mum of population capable of main
tanning a livelihood within its extended
limits, and that the immense area of
unOccupied land, though ineXhausti-
BILE in fertility, with Il climate unsur-
passed on the face of the globe, would
forever remain an arid waste.
In considering this subject the fol-
lowing inquiries arise:
lst. Can an increase of water for
this purpose be secured:
I'd. If so, is it practicable in an
economical point of view; will it pay;
will the benefit resulting justify the
expenditure in its behalf:
Sd. Can it be accomplished
4th. Who, or by what agency shall
| it be accomplished:
5th. What preliminary steps may be
necessary before undertaking the en-
| terprise?
To the first inquiry it is safe to reply
| that the amount of water for irriga-
ton i'm Los Angeles county can be in
creased almost indefinitely. Indeed,
some well informed writers who have
studied the subject of irrigation in all
its varied bearings, have expressed the
opinion that "rhere is scarcely Il farm
in the United States but is susceptible
of irrigation i'm some way or other"
In reference to the second inquiry
whether it is practicable or will pay,
| the experience of the various systems
now i'm vogue in other countries and
our own States and Territories, justi-
fies the belief that the benefits and
enhanced values would be equally if
not more apparent were q general sys-
tenn of irrigation adopted i'm this
county.
Land in the little valley of San An
tonic, Texas, under irrigation is worth
from $500 to $500 per acre, while land
of equal fertility, not more than Il
stones throw from the irrigable lands,
is only worth S. per acre.
A great portion of the land COM
manded by irrigating systems i'm Eu-
rope, is worth from 81 ,OOO to 1000 per
acre, while the less fortunate adjacent
| land is not worth more than 800 to 5000
per acre. Most of the now irrigable
lands in this county possess now mere
ly Il nominal value; whereas; if they
were brought under cOpious system
of irrigation they would he worth
from S25 to SlM per acre; these. figures
would increase from year to year, con-
sequent upon the influx of population,
composed of thrifty and intelligent
husbandmen. In the same ratio that
the water supply. is increased, SO Will
be the increase Of population. If the
present head of water is increased ten
fold, or an hundred fold, it would prove
no delusiOn to expect our population
! to increase in the same relative pro-
portion.
The third inquiry involves the most
absorbing consideration, the gist of
investigation. None OF the systems
of irrigation now in practical opera
ton, with which we are familiar,
would meet the necessities of Los An
ifornia similarly situated.
The present systems of irri-
CATION are employed in utilizing
the waters of never failing streams,
and the melting SHOWS that clOthe the
ranges in higher ATTITUDES. We have
not these sources to draw upon. Our
running streamlets are few, and erer
failing in the critical moment of agri-
cultural necessity. No snow banks
| gather in the winter season upon our
mountain peaks to descend in refresh
ing streams over our thirsty plains in
| the summer sOlstice.
The increased supply of water in this
locality must be drawn from below
by artesian wells and suction pumps, or
secured from that which descends
from above in the rainy season, and
| held it in reserve for use i'm tho dry
season. The relative merits of the
two sources are apparent to the most
casual Observer-the former is limited,
expensive and uncertain--the latter is
abundant, comparatively inexpensive
and reliable.
The water shed of our mountains
is unlimited. In many of the canyons
penetrating the mountain ranges for
miles, may be found extensive basins,
with narrow outlets formed by the
contraction of the sides of the cam
yons, and covered by extensive water
| sheds. Across the narrow outlets,
dams may be cOnstructed-the ma
terial timber and stone is at hand
the water collected in these basins,
will be protected from evaporation in
n great degree by the shadow of the
mountains. In many places along
| the foothills, are deep ravines that
may be appropriated us reservoirs by
throwing dam across the entrance.
In other localities, where nature has
withheld her handiwork, reservoirs
can be constructed-then, by cutting
canals leading from caiiOns to n sue
cessiOn of ravines--the waters that are
rushing along in the wet season to
mingle with the briny deep, may be
led into the reservoirs prepared for
them, and there remain until the need
Of agriculture calls for it.
OF course, there are difficulties to be
met and overcome in the accomplish
ment of these ends; but all obstacles,
however great, succumb ut the COM
mand of the skilful engineer of the
present day. Mk
Pertinent to the efficiency of reser-
yoirs, an individual case may be re-
ferred to. A Mr.. KrOnig, residing
near Fort Union, came to the cOnclu-
sion; from his own observation, that
the rainfall along the base OF the
mountains was quite sufficient to sup
ply artificial reservoirs, from which
tracts of land could be successfully irri-
gated. DiSregarliny the chances of q