Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1882-10-19
IRRIGATION IN COLORADO.
THE ECONOMY OF IRRIGATION.

Inc uSrt0ty Vi hftbsuop "eAeo NV
ssatsment, beyo1d all contradiction, that
without 1t, in certain dry climates, no sue
cessful crops Of any kind can be raised; and
also, that in ordinarily humid climates, all
over tho American continent, there occur
periods when drouRhts are experienced and
,he crops are almost a complete failure,
While with irrigation properly and indus
tiously conducted, double the yield attain
cd without il can be assured. 1t IL, there
fore. logically true that irrigation, properly
conducted, either in dry or humid climate,
may be decidedly profitable. The testimony
Of California, Colorado. New Mexico, Mis-
eouri, Pennsylysnis, Massachusetts, and
almost any State and Territory Of the
American Union. places the matter beTond
dispute. The Pacific Rural Press, Of Cali
fornia, in speaking Of the Woodland Ditch
COMPANY, which lie but the mirror Of hun
dreds Of similar institutions, ssy.: "All the
grain irrigated BY this company will pro-
duce fair average crop. The same grain,
without irrigation, would have been an al
most total failure. The cost to the farms
for water u about "a per acre, and the
grain will probably be worth SIS to $50.
Colosa county. California, the Alfalfa or
Chill clover, probably Locerne. produces
ordinarily, without irrigation, three tons per
acre at each cutting, twice year; but with
irrigation it reaches to three tons
three times . year. Mr.. Stafford. Of
Hope, Maine, says he has forty acres Of
meadow which he irrigstes from small
stream. He does not allow wafer to 60 on
il in the winter, - il kills the roots Of the
grass. or two selds. eide BY aide, one
without irrigation yielded 400 pounds to
the acre; the other, irrigated, from two 70
three tons. He uses no manure.
In some locs titles. but not usually in
Colorado. the charge for wafer il 81. 80 per
inch, which astoriahes parties Who cosSe
from the East, and wonder how farmer
can possibly pay 20 much for the irrigstisg
season. Its easily explained. The en-
ployment Of irrigation doubles the product.
Where, in the United States, except 10 Col.
0rado or California, (as 10 popularity claim
3D. is the average yield 60 high - Is or
% bushels Of wheat 10 the acrsf Nthey
did not irrigsis, the crops would yield prob
ably only IL or 30 bushels, - In lows,
Illinois, AMI other portions Of the favored
West. II they have to put more labor up
on their farm, il yelds Immensely more in
proportion. A farmer in Colorado. Who
for seven ye.s has steadily stock to busi.
ness and worked only hsif % hard - The
shaving husbandnsn Of The older Statea.
will % found wealthy. and not actually
compelled to work another dsy. II the
Esst il tskes thirty years to acquire com.
potency, which the Colorado farmer secures
in seven or ten yeara There V no ascss-
atty for farmer to remain poor in Color
ado, even il he starts without penny.
In Boulder county. Colorado, the cost Of
irrigation is not more than or 10 cents
per acre. outside Of q. share in the WORKS.
costing. probably. from $50 TO 500 each.
The Cost OF repairs in the main ditch is
paid by tax on the shareholders, which
usually amounte TO S. per annum; this, add.
ed TO tie interest for money. is the actual
oo-t Of the water. The lateral branches are
owned BY each individual. and built at bis
own expense. which amounts to but very
little, and tha, only in labor when the men
.nd teams have nothing el-e to DO. The
that irrigation 10 expensive
..ls.,l.ssA nr infand.d IA a.