Arizona weekly citizen., 1889-10-12
WEEKLY CITIZEN.
SATURDAY OCTOBER F, 1889
IRRIGATION PROBLEMS.

J.R. Dodge, government statistician il
 his September report to the department
 of agriculture makes the following soani
 statement relative to irrigation problem.
 and the productiveness of irrigated
 lands.
 After all that can be done in dry farm
 ing. irrigation Is necessity. The land is almost everywhere fertile, generally to excess. lacking only water to insure large and certain production. This source of production can be more fully utilized, greatly enlarging the domain oi agriculture, though it can not render productive the entire area. In Cobra do some are inclined to claim adequate water supply for one-iifth of the surface; while others, including focal engineers of experience, think that not more than a tenth can be irrigated. The different stages of progress in water utilization are six in number:
 1. The use of the rainfall in what are properly known as raIn belts, by the most effective methods of cultivation, and the selection of suitable plants, es- pecially those with long tap roots.
 ,. The exhaustion of the supply fur nished by rivers and creeks in their pas sage through the plains, by means of ir rig6tion works, such as are already in so extensive use.
 5. The enlargement of the current supply, by the storage at higher eleya- tions of water which passes away in spring floods, as is proposed now by the Government.
 4. The sinking of galleries below the surface of streams, even when they are practically dry, and utilizing by canals the under ground currents This Is be- coming common and popular resource. Such plan furnishes pure filtered Wa ter at Cheyenne for the supply of the city without pumping or much expense, from Crow Creek, a small stream nearly dry in summer.
 -~ D. By the use of irrigating pumps of great power in lifting such under ground currents to the surface from bed rock, for application to lands sur rounding.
 6. By artesian wells, which have heretofore proved to expensive for use in irrigation. It is probable that their cost and the uncertainty of obtaining water will prevent extensive employ ment of this means of water supply.
 The building of numerous catch basins throughout the plains to save the rainfall which is wasted, so far as the lands near by are concerned, will add greatly to the supply furnished by the second expedient indicated. There are natural depressions everywhere which can be utilized at very slight cost and with entire immunity from risks of dangerous floods.
 The utilization of surface water does not exhaust the supply for irrigation. The application involves waste. The fugitive waters, as if by an instinct of preservation from threatened dissolu- ton under the fierce rays Of the unob- scured sun, sinkthrough the sands, pass into the Impressions which make the waterways, and gradually swell the scanty streams at lower levels or course their way toward the sea through the sands below the river beds Thus part of the water of irrigating canals is l gathered q second time to dotfse work 1 of irrigation. This is -t--case notably l in the South Platte after its waters have been depleted by the canals about Denver, and the Cache Ia PouGre supply has been similarly used between Fort Collins and Greeley. At the latter place the cellars require protection from overflow. water in wells has risen very near to the surface. and the waters of irrigation are partially restored to the stream to find their way to the South | Platte.
 Fort Morgan is on the plains at the bend of this river, about so miles below Denver, Six years ago there was des- ert of scanty and brown grass and cac- tus plants, where now, by the aid of ir- rigatiOn enterprises, are fiourishing and productive farms, tens of thousands of acres. of lands already reclaim cd with a prospect of obtaining water for nearly two hundred thous- and in the near future. It is claimed tirut thsrsis already expended nearly ST50,000, mostly by citizens of tEe coun ty, and lands with water are offered near town for BIO to Sl5 per acre.
 In Wyoming a development company has expended S450,OO0 in tunneling the Laramie and preparing to irrigate tract of about 60,000 acres, most of which has been bought of the Government and paid for, and Is now awaiting settlement. This praiseworthy effort to demonstrate the possibilities of agriculture in Wyom- ing, and to provide vegetable and small fruit supply for Cheyenne, has been ex- pensive to its originators, through unex- pected delay in obtaining title, yet mag niticent farms, it isexpected. will soon be offered to settlers at less than cost of water for their irrigation.
 The productiveness of these irrigated lands is surprising. Facts abound, for which there is no present space, attest ing lavish yields, Hay is the principal crop. Alfalfa and potatoes produce heavily and occupy large areas. Oats are abundant. Wheat is limited by the demand. Statistics of production will appear in the future at proper time and place.