Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1879-11-20
GENERAL NEWS.

commissioner of Agriculture has recently
been giving his attention is that of the re-
demption of the comparatively arid table
lands which stretch along the eastern base
OF the Rocky Mountains from our northern
to our southern border. The subject is con-
sldered very important, involving as it does
the recovery of q tract of country equal to
one-hfth of the productive area of the United
States. Where it has been possible to sub
ject the land to irrigation astonishing agri-
cultural richness has been found, but at
present the facilities for irrigation, by means
OF mountain streams, extend no farther
than from forty to fifty miles from the base
of the range. With the problem of irriga-
ton solved, these plains would be rated
among the richest agricultural region of the
country. AS a preliminary to practical
tests the COMMISSIONS has engaged the
services of Brisbin Walker, late editor of
the Republican, to proceed to Colorado and
report upon the possibilities OF artificial ir1i-
cation, especially with reference to artesian
wells, which in those sections where noun
tain streams are not available, seem to be
o''J CApl1Y lol IIIlEullllO
purposes. There are now some five thou
sand artesian wells in successful operation,
and experiments made by French engineers
in the great Sahara desert indicate that the
plan is feasible. A some of the wells sunk
by nj. JuX water was obtained at a depth of
three or four hundred feet and the discharge
was equal TO | 100 gallons per minute.
There is every reason why similar results
should be obtained in the strata underlying
the table landso of Colorado. Mr.. Walker,
by his training and capacity for close obser-
walton, will be able to make an intelligent
study OF the situation, and his report will be
looked for with interest.
A Washington telegram of the Nth says
This morning Ammen called on Hayes,
with a letter from an acquaintance in Paris,
assuring him of a satisfactory arrangement
in Paris Tor the immediate advancement,
when required, of one-third of the capital
necessary for the Nicaragua canal enter
prise, by one of the most substantial kank-
ing houses of Europe, upon the condition
that Grant will consent to accept the presi-
dency of an American company organized
for the construction of the work. The
writer adds that he leaves Immediately for
America to confer with parties in this coun-
try interested in this great enterprise. On
receipt of this letter Ammen immediately
telegraphed the facts to Grant, at Chicago.
The World says that the Isthmian labors
Of Lesseps have not been in vain. A Wash
ington dispatch, Which We print this morn
ing, indicates that they have had the good
result Of effectually turning the attention of
European capitalists to the subject, and that
European capital which could not be COM
manded in Paris itself for the construction
of the canal by the route and under the con-
ditions favored by Lesseps, can be COM
manded by the United States and construct
ed as Ammen has shown that such a canal
ought to be constructed through Nicaragua.
The conditions attached to the offer of CAPT
tai already received in this country for such
a canal are that Grant shall accept the pres
idency of the company, and that in the Of
fetal capacity thus given him he shall apply
to the Nicaraguan government for the nee
essary concession. It cannot be doubted
but that Grant will seriously consider the
proposition thus made and tie opportuni-
ties it offers him, not to say anything about
the duties which it imposes upon him.
A Cincinnati dispatch of the 18th says
A high wind from the south and southwest
prevailed this forenoon. Reports from In-
diana and Ohio show that at Pao1i and
Princeton, Ind, the wind amounted to a
+0r,ofIn rpropfspo Icrcoc o,1 I1o-;,,u
down fences at Paoli. Two houses were
blown down in Ohio. The Commercials
give many reports of damage in all