Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-02-01
IRRIGATION AND DEsERT-LAND
Law

western efrltory extensive pains OF
wastes of lands which appear to lack
nothing of natural provision to render
them fertile and productive except
sufficient supply of water, which they
do not even approximately receive
through the rainfall. Enough has
been done in the way of experiment
to give proof that proper irrigation
can be employed to relieve the steril-
ity Of immense tracts of these lands
and render them highly valuable;
and nature, always ready with dis
coverable remedy for every apparent
lack, has furnished in the rivers and
streams the means of applying to
these the surplus rains Of other re-
gions.
1t was a limited and inadequate
perception Of the full measure and
value OF this fact which led to the
enactment of the desert-land law
That enactment was very empirical
and but rude attempt to accomplish
what high and civilized power,
| lighted by science, ought to achieve.
BY its confused terms it manifests
but dim and cropping vision of the
subject, and its practical operation
appears to be so limited in good re-
suits aud productive of bad effects,
that it seems to be time to repeal it
and proceed with more enlightened
and firmer steps towards the trans
formation of the desert country into
such state Of fertility and capability
for bearing population as the natural
means at our command render posi-
BILE.
The greater objection to the desert
land law, however, is that previously
remarked, its inadequacy to meet the
great desideratum and to apply most
benefcially the ample means of ma
ture for the extensive relief which is
possible, combined with the further
consequence that under this law pri-
vate rights are secured which must
seriously interfere with the ultimate
attempt to perform the larger work
necessary upon an adequate scale.
Recently this subject has received
the attention of the Department and
OF the Congress, and at the last ses-
sion an appropriation of 100000 was
made to begin the work of explora-
ton and investigation necessary to
the development of an intelligent and
comprehensive scheme for the proper
use of the natural means provided to
restore the desert wastes to beneficial
subserviency to the support of men.
The conception is worthy of the ma
ton and the age, and deserves the
immediate and potential fostering ac-
ton of the Legislature.
This plan of irrigation contem-
plates taking possession of suitable
valleys and gorges along the streams,
perhaps more generally in the upper
regions, for the construction of great
reservoirs to be filled by the surplus
flow in spring time and freshet-time,
afterwards to be distributed through
canals, aqueducts and bitches, upon
the great areas below. Necessarily
extensive investigation and survey of
the territory is requisite to the in
vention of practicable modes, and
much variety in the modes applica-
bic to different regions will doubtless
be demanded by varying circum-
stances. The cost of such an inves-
tigation, still more of such construc.
tons as must be requisite to execute
any such purpose, will be so heavy as
to require eithera large association of
private capital or direct governmental
performance.
venture no presumptuous attempt
to argue or elaborate this subject, nor
to indulge in any sanguine strain of
provision or prophecy; but the work
suggested, great as it is, is not, per-
haps, beyond what men have already
done IN times past, to which we some
times look back disparagingly; and,
at all events, in view of the percep-
ton which in modern times has been
acquired of the forces of nature and
the dominion which has been OBJ
tanned over them, there would APP
pear no reason to hesitate In taking
efficient steps to investigate and I'M
derstand the subject in practical de-
tail and to enter upon whatever plan
such investigation may justify the
attempt to execute.
1t is not generally known, but is a
| fact that RuSealI II Har,;son -. "A