Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-01-02
Possibilities by Irrigation.

One of the interesting problems of
the near future is the conversion Of the
arid plains at the eastern base bf the
Rocky Mountains into tillable land.
The Importance Of the question is best
comprehended by the light of the ig-
ures of the area of the arid lands. It is
said to equal oneffth of the productive
area of the United States. Where it
has been possible to suUjectthe land to
irrigation an astonishing agricultural
richness hash found but at present,
facilities for irrigation by mountain
streams extend no farther than from
forty to fifty miles from the base of the
range. With the problem of the irri-
cation solved, these plains will come to
be rated among the richest agricultural
regions OF the country. AS q prelimi
nary to practical tests, tho commission
or has engaged the services OF Mr..
Brisben Walker, late editor of the
Republic, to proceed to Colorado and
report upon the possibilities OF artificial
irrigation, especially with reference to
&rtesian wells, which, in those sections
where mountain streams are not avail
able.I seem to be the only possible
source of supply for irrigating purpos-
es. There are now some FIVE thousand
artesian wells in successful operation,
and the experiments made by the
French engineers in the Great Sahara
Desert would Indicate that the plan il
feasible. II an supply of
water can be obtained from subterra-
mean sources to adeq uately water the
arid lands of the great plains, then our
political, economists must add that
immense tract of rich soil to the
available agricultural resources of the
country. The time would seem to be
not ia. distant when it will be almost
impossible to convince anybody that
the alleged h'qreat American DESERT
upon the old maps was ever anything
else but pure, unaduiterated fiction and
wild draft upon the Imagination. n.
liaukeue. $50 ..p ...r = ,7te.r
BosroNs FIRST THEATEE. The first
theater in Boston was established in
L792 under difficulties. 1t Was erected
in Board Alley, now Hawley Street,
and opened August 10th. 1872, under
the management of J. Harper. The
opening performance consisted OF exer-
cises on the tight rope and ballet
dancing. Later in the year company
of comedians arrived from london,
under the management Of Mr.. Powell,
and commenced theatrical season.
To evade the statute against theatrical
performances, they called the plays
"moral lectures y; but Hancock was
governor, and was not disposed to
suffer such barefaced evasions of the
law. They were playing the "moral
lecture of 'Richard the Third" one
evening, and had proceeded as far as
Bosworth Field" when the sheriff
came unceremoniously upon the stage,
and made prisoner OF tho humpbacked
tyrant. Great uproar followed, and
the portrait of Hancock, that was
hanging in front of the stage
box, was taken down and trodden
under foot. The next night every man
went armed with bludgeon, but there
was no more interference, and The next
season the Boston Theater in Federal
Street was built, large majority OF the
town being in favor OF it.
READERS OF CHARACTERIZATION an
observing woman looks at man she
generally makes an estimate of him
then aud there. The glance is with
drawn, and goes into obscurity. like an
instantaneous sun-picture, there to
deepen into distiuctness. Almost every
woman las set up gallery OF these
impressions. which she shows rarely,
and to her trusted intimates alone.
But there he is preserveI-a siuapleton,
rowdy, gallant, rogue. gentle
man. iu the long run ynu wiz generally
succeed in iustifying all her silent esti-
mates. A fine woman has not the ooh
seriousness that belongs to spies; sire is
guiltless Of the act and the intent to
watch US. Men deliberately set them
selves to the work OF scrutiny; and pay
out all the line they have to fathom an
associate, and bring up his mud or guild
sand sticking to the sinker. But clear
headed women intuitively understand
the natures OF men, anu read them
easily.