Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1882-09-28

dsjor Van yoorhis. q. W. Potter. p. J. Up
and four others. of Speareville, are running
line, with view of making a survey, on the
proposed route Of the irrigating canal. from
Speareville to point on the west side OF Gray
county. The Major and party were in this city
on Monday. They were provided with camp
equipage and provisions. A sum OF money was
raised in his city to meet the necessary expenses
Of the survey. The object of the survey Is 10
ascertain the feasibility prscticability OF the
route. which Is being laid on the ''divide" north
Of the city. A petition containing the names oil
all the residents of the eastern part OF the eoun-
ty, was presented TO Col. A. 5. johnson, Land
Commissioner OF the AIchson, Topeka santa
Fe Railroad, asking the company 10 take action
in the proposed irrigating scheme. The Colonel
directed Major Van voorhis to make preiimi-
nary survey OF the route, which Is now being
done. The greatest obstruction so far found.
lies east of this city, at about point where the
ditch and railroad would make crossing. Here
a iuine nearly half mile long woald be requir-
ed At Topeka the question Of evaporation and
seepage was discussed Major Van voorhis was
shown q sample of water, at the Land Depart
ment, which contained on the surface film OF
in the irrigation bitches in the west part Of the
state. This coating or scum on the water pre-
vents evaporation. Us has been proved In the
irrigating bitches at Garden City and Lakin. Il
is claimed. rs shown by experience. that in one
years time q sediment forms on the bottom and
sides Of the bitches, which prevents seepage.
In running an irrigating ditch, 1t has been sup
posed by those who know nothing by practical
experience, that evaporation and seepage would
entirely consume water in ditch ffry miles
long. But nature provides against both evapo-
ration and seepsge. as is shown clearly to the
satisfaction Of any reasonable man. and which
is proven by actual experiments. There is . fall
on an average of seven feet and six inches to the
mile in the Arkansas river. 1t is necessary that
water should have fall Of three and q half feet
to the mile. There is. therefore, sufficient fall
OF incline to carry water anywhere over the
point being la above the level of the bed of the
Arkansas river.
Irrigation viii be u fyed institution of Ford
county in another year. The success of irriga-
ton is assured II is no experiment Our east
end neighbors have gone to work IN earnest. and
in the most practical way. Their lin
tied means does not allow them to
carry out this enterprise, they must have outside
help and they will get it. The tenacity and en-
ergy displayed will certainly insure them help.
And when our hills are decorated with trees,
flowers and fruits, there will be many to say.
II told you So" And when the north side of
the Arkansas river. from the west line Of the
state to Hutchinson. shows the benefits Of irri-
CATION. then will the foresight of our Spearevile
friends be manifest. Those people who think
irrigation will affect the cattle interests are
greatly mistaken. Irrigation win supply this
region with the necessary provisions. Cheap
corn snd cheap -four is what the cattemen want.
And the Dodge man wants beautiful garden.
water running down the streets and fine trees
lining the sidewalks. p. S.-The Arkansas
river wont go dry.