Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1889-10-31
The irrigation ue sti on.
New York Press

The Press is glad to note that several
leading Republican statesmen have re
Gently expressed themselves in favor of
congress taking up the question of irri-
CATION. This is wise and right. The
Western states, and, within the last few
days, the new states, have shown their
confidence in the Republican party. That
party cannot afford to ignore the interests
OF those who dwell west of tbs Tooth
meridian, and the entire West extending
from the shores of the Pacific to the mid
die of Kansas is interested in the irriga-
ton question.
1t is not much to say that the future of
the Western country is largely question
of water. Mining may be important for
some time to come. but the permanent
prosperity depends upon the productive
ness of the soil The industry of agri-
culture within the arid region, can devel-
op only SO far as the supply Of water for
irrigation will admit. This arid region,
in which cultivation of the soil is impOs
siblc without irrigation, comprises all
that part of the country living west ap-
proximately of the Tooth meridian, with
the exception of Western Washington
and Oregon and Northeastern California,
an area comprising about two fifths of
| the United States, excluding Alaska
Within this region the rainfall ranges
from twenty inches down to a mere trliie,
and is nowhere equal to lhe requirements
of cereal crops. OF this large area of
about million and Il quarter square
miles by far the larger proportion, at
least three-four;as of it, is composed OF
fertile soil well situated and suitable in
every way for cultivation. excepting that
water for the irrigation of crops is lack
ing
The water for irrigation comes from the
streams. The streams are fed by the rain
fall, and the supply which they bring to
the lamp comprises only a fraction of that
rainfall. This amount cannot be increas-
ed The problem is. in what way can it
be economical? How can the visible
supply be made to irrigate greater num-
Der of acres than at present? This is a
problem which it is easy to see cannot be
solved by individuals nor even by states.
1t is problem which can best be studied
and solved by the general government,
which has control over the entire area
under consideration To solve this prob
lem of economiZing the water supply GER
tain information must be obtained. The
character and surface of the ground,
whether rugged, sloping, billy or monu
,ainons. must be known by aid of maps
The character of the soil must be deter
mined and its adaptability 10 certain
crops The amount of water carried by
each stream throughout the year and the
distribution OF the flow of that water
throughout the year must also be deter
mined. The rainfall must be measured
and the rate OF evaporation from the sur
face ascertained Laws bearing upon ir-
rigation in the different states and terri
tories must he studied and the present
systems of irrigation and arrangement of
headwoylls and canals throughout the
country must be mapped.
The present system of irrigation. or
want Of system, has grown up with the
COUNTRY. 1t was not planned with view
to making the most economic disposition
of water. of putting water npon land best
the best advantage Each man, each
group OF men or each corporation has Ia
ken what was wanted for irrigating tins
or that specific area. The result is very
uneconomical system whereby water is
used wastefully, while large areas of Iich
land are cut off from water entirely, and.
on the other hand, streamsare going TO
waste because there is no land upon
which the water can be taken.
The streams of the arid region are fed
mainly from melting snow. Thev are in
flood during parts of May and June. and
in Il about Il month probably about nine
tenths of the annual flow. on an average,
is carried off a: the time when it cannot
be used. The most of this water, is there
fore. carried to the sea and lost. and few
attempts rs yet have been made to collect
these flood waters into reservoirs and use
them later in the season. 1t is to the
building of storage reservoirs for holding
water that the West must look in large
measure for the increase of its arabic
area, and it is to the building of such res
ervoirs on great scale by the Govern
ment of the United States that it is hoped
the present agitation may lead.
If the government undertakes this work
it is certain that the reservoirs will be-
come q paying investment. 1t is estimat-
ed that their construction will at least
double the arabic area in the arid region
10000 acres Of choice heavy Pine Tim
Der worth SIS per acre. Free from debt,
8 miles from county seat of Laurens Co.
Georgia. For trade for m0rtgaged land
in Kansas. Will give 100 acres of good
land - above described, for 100 acres of
mortgsged land in KansaA Owner of this
land win pay the mortgage on your land
~ soon rs the trade Is closed, % there
will be NO judgment against you on the
mortgage. Write to me quick. No char
ges made to make the deal.