The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-01-01

How il Can he Made Practicable In
Laramie County AT small Cost.

How il Can BE Made EraCtieahle in
Laramie County AT small Cost.
la these dull times, those interested
in the advancement of the city and
county are naturally casting about
them for some means whereby their
material interests can be enhanced and
their permanent prosperity insured.
Our principal source of profit and i'm
provement las is well known is the
cattle business. Our country possesses
the advantages of a fire range and short
duration of snow. The snow, if allow
ed to accumulate, would be serious
hindraDce if not an absolute bar to the
profitable prosecution of cattle raising;
but the prevalence Of high winds, SO
antagonistic to our personal comfort,
disperses this objection and renders
the business not only possible but i'm
mensely profitable. These considera-
tions invite cattle-growers to our midst.
But about all the land available for this
purpose south Of the North Platte river
is already occupied by ranches, and still
our county has but a sparse popula-
ton. The larger herds are already
seeking locations beyond our limits,
thus removing n very considerable tax
able property beyond our borders.
Whilst the owners enjoy a residence
here, the bulk Of their wealth is con-
tributipg to the support of other
ties. The increase in the taxable
wealth of this county las shown by the
assessment rolls of 1878 and 1879 was
very small compared with the large
sums invested by our citizens during
that period.
These considerations have suggested
the idea of converting u county into
an agricultural as well Is a grazing
county. No doubt many readers
will be startled by the proposition;
but, upon reflection, it may appear
more feasible than many other schemes
seemingly chimerical, which have
proved highly successful and
tive. The only hindrance to agricul-
ture is the scanty supply of water.
When irrigation has been practicable
our soil has responded most generously
to the labor of the husbandman. Veg
etables and flowers of fine size and
quality have been produced, and in
abundance. Trees and grasses flourish.
The only question then is to furnish a
full supply of water for irrigation.
In looking over the map of our
ty we find no stream of sufficient Ca
pacity nearer than the Laramie river.
This affords an unfailing supply, and a
ditch conveying water thence into Grow
and Pole creeks would furnish means
for the reclamation of thousands of
acres of land now comparatively worth
less. The large area thus permanently
reclaimed would very materially swell
the county revenue or, what is just as
desirable, decrease the rate of taxation.
The water might be allowed to follow
the channels OF the creeks mentioned
until it passed through the toughest
and most impracticable portions of the
route and then be trained to the divid-
ing ridge between those streams, whence
it could be distributed l~atterly to either
side. Besides this, the city itself would
have a full and reliable supply, not only
for purposes of irrigation, but also for
fire purposes, for dwellings and, if need
be, for the most economical propulsion
of machinery without resort to engines,
pumps or wells. BY a system of water
pipes, water could be furnished to the
highest stories in the city-sufiicient
pressure being insured by the natural
descent from our lakes. The expensive
method now adopted for fire purposes
only, would thus be obviated and on
slant pressure be substituted for I'M
equal and fitful pressure. Last sum-
mer's experience clearly demonstrates
and emphasizes the necessity of an in
creased water supply and the subject is
worthy the serious consideration Of
every citizen interested in the %prosperi-
ty of either city or county. The expen-
diture incurred in this enterprise would
pay a handsome interest on the invest
ment and both city and county could
well afford to give a bonus to any COM
pany that would engage in the under
taking, because, in a short time, they
would be reimbursed by the increase Of
population and taxable wealth it would
induce. RoTA.
The Wiiheimj Concert.
There was a full house at Recreation
Hall last evening to enjoy the incom-
parable concert given by August Will
helmj, Max Vogrich and Marie Sal