The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-06-20

cereals. Or perhaps other nneans OF
producing artificial irrigation may be
discovered that will bring under culti-
walton this vast area Apparently as
induces of natures intention GASES are
scattered at intervals over the desert.
No lofty mountains stand near to act
as receptacles and reservoirs, and
whence comes the enormous How that
breaks from these deserts springs
is secret for science to solve.
The only reasonable theory is
that they flow long distances in SUBJ
terranean channels. These desert
streams rise to the surface thus mysteri-
ously and disappear in an even more
incomprehensible manner. In, the
northern portion of this desert a stream
of one thousand inches bubbles to the
surface in the midst of an almost end
less plain. A pool of about twenty feet
in diameter is formed, and the water is
thrown with such force to the surface
that no living being can penetrate to
any depth. Weighty iron chains. float
on the surface like corks. This stream
debouches upon the plain, and. aftor
traversing it for several miles without
abatement, the entire volume disap-
pears in the sand within radius of one
hundred feet. These sink-holes of the
Mojave desert are numerous. the water
from which, probably, finally reaches
the slope of the Pacific and feeds the
streams of the valley. The Mo;aye
river. rising on the north slope of the
Sierra Nevada and meanderiag over
the desert for over one hundred miles,
is finally swallowed up in similar but
more gradual manner. Nothing in the
shape of the land occurs to prevent its
further progress, as its course would
lead it into the famous death valley,
which, like q portion Of the Colorado
desert, lies below the level of the sea.
But instead of the lost waters of the
desert seeking refuge in the deep
basin, a spectacle of extraordinary ster-
lity is here presented. er-gg
At several stations along the railroad
artesian water is obtained, giving color
to the theory that subterranean streams
and lakes are in existence. At Gucca
Station, artesian water is found at a
depth of two hundred and twenty
seven feet. AS this is a verv reason
able depth, and to dig well would be
no greater expense than to buy an
irrigating head of water in the favored
lands of Southern California, some en-
terprising Yankee will, undoubtedly,
buy up this desert and lay out a large
colony. Such a scheme is now on foot
at Lancaster Sation, on the Southern
Pacific Railroad, where artesian water
is also obtained. But the wisest pro-
vision of nature is found in the Colo
RADIO River. Its present use does not
extend much beyond providing chan
mel for navigation to the interior, and,
as the railroad encroaches upon its
domain, its usefulness is trifiing. But
it can not be doubted that it is destined
to play an important part in the recla-
nation of our great deserts. Its waters
are used by few white ranchers and
the Indians along the course of the
stream. These desert agricultur3ts
are not particularly successful, their
crops being sown along the river bed.
where the cost of diverting the flow of
the water comes within their limited
means, and two years out of three their
lands are swept by the rise of the river
and their products are very shortly food
for fishes in the Gulf of California.
But in the seasons from depredations Of
floods the wonderful fertility of the soil
richly recompenses the scattered
grangers. Cereals, fruits and vege-
tables ripen here much earlier than in
the coast climates. The soil is rich.
red clay, its composite parts including
all the elements required in healthy
fertilization. The banks of the Colo
RADIO are rather high, with gradual
rise of the land for several miles back.
This, together with the easy descent Of
the stream, has always offered a serious
obstacle to diverting the river upon the
desert. and. if ever done, it will probably
be accomplished by the Government, as
private capital would prove inadequate.
At some points the expense OF irrigating
canals would not be 50 great and can
be attained by private enterprise
notably, the Blythe colony-where the
water has been diverted and thousands
of acres of productive land rendered
capable of cultivation. One destru tive
feature of irrigation upon this river is
the fact that the water is so muddy that
the deposit soon obstructs and finally
fills the canals. This difficulty can be
Obviated by constructing large reser-
voirS and filtering the water.--SGn
Francisco Chronicle.