Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1889-07-31
IRRIGATION.
Custer County well Represented Before the
senate Committee

commissioners, the needs of irrigation
on a large scale in Custer county, and
its adaptability TO this system by rea.
son OF Its extensive waterc0urses and
rich valleys, will be more clearly set
forth to the senate committee, than
probably any other locality which the
committee are called upon TO visit. II
will he remembered that some days
ago the commissioners forwarded 10
Major Richard J. Hinton, U. \. engjn.
eer assigned to the Senate committee,
at 81. Paul, map showing all the
water courses OF Custer county and
the lands lying adjacent thereto that
were capable Of reclamation through
irrigation. The map was accompan-
led by a lengthy communication Civ
ing u vast amount of statistical infor-
nation covering the volume Of water
carried fy each stream, the natural
fall Of the streams. the number Of
acres now under irrigation, the mum.
Der of inches OF water used In irriga-
tion, and the number Of acres that
could be successfully cultivated II
water were available. These with
many ether cognate points were fully
covered In the commissioners conn
muoication and as proof that the
labor was not ill-advised, we find in
the Pioneer Press Of Sundvy last an
interview with Major Hinton on the
subject Of the committees work, in
which more than half u column of
solid matter 10 devoted 10 Custer coun.
ty, Montsns. AS an argument 20
show what immense benefits will be
conferred upon the west by the recla-
nation Of arid lands, Major Hinton
refers to the exhibit made by the com.
missioners Of Custer county and using
it as basis shows 5y logical assertions
that the results will excel the most
sapguine expectations. He said:
The total quantity Of water carried
by Custer oSuniy streams and availa-
BILE for irrigation Is not les, than .050-
600 miners inches. There are ut least
965 900 acres within the borders of the
county that could be put under irriga-
too II storage basins and dltchss were
now in existence. The total area irrl-
gated by bitches at present In opera
ton Is about $1,000 acres, and the
amount of water used IL about the
same number of inches. This state
ment will show what may be achieved
by proper system OF storage. The
value thereof can be readily appreci-
ated II you consider that the untitled
lands Of Custer coupty--a principslity
In itself-could not fetch on nm aver.
age over So an acre. IL we place the
cost OF storage and distribution at SO
an acre IL would not exceed, for the
total area | have given, $1,000. 600.
Could such works be at once con-
structed, every acre would the next
day be worth at least $50 zach. and
much OF 1t probably great deal mere.
The lands of Custer county are In the
msjor portion a part Of the public do
main Of the United States. Certainly
the general government may have the
right to take such steps as may be sp-
propriate to improve its own property
and enhance It's value, especially when
the difference is as great as between
81. .OOO, 900 and S60. 900 900. But 10 is
not alone the valley lands Of Custer
county that will increase In value by
proper system of irrigating works.
The bench or mesa land would be
found TO oe, with water applied to il.
among the finest producers OF wheat
in the whole of this vast what field
of yours. The plateau lands, stiIl
more higher and inaccessible, will by
reason of cattle being able TO reach
water. be made much more valuable
for pastoral purposes. Now, may IL
not be possible for the engineers OF the
geological survey TO find appropriate
drainage areas at the headot the vsri-
Gus valleys, large and small, 10 Custer
county, which, at small expense, may
be made into safe reservoirs for the
retention not only OF the precipitation
but Of the overflow of these streams,
SO that, with the aid and by the
means of irrigation ditehes which the
enterprise Of the farmers and citizens
I'm general will construct. the whole of
the area OF which / have been speak
ing may be thoroughly reclaimed, So
that the desert may blossom and bloom
as the rose? But that is q question.
have given you these figures and
racts about Custer county a. an object
lesson which will illustrate scores of
other areas, perhaps not 90 equally en-
dowed with water supply as 10 Custer
county.
IL Is quite probable that the appro-
priation Of any adequate sum Of
money for the prosecution Of this
work will most with strong opposition
from congressional representation east
Of the Mississippi river, but there is
good reason 70 believe that the report
Of the senate committee will oe 20 con-
v,ncine ~ 10 commend the scheme 10
sil members who can see beyond their
noses and can realize the extent Of
empire that will be added 10 the hab-
liable area Of the public domain. In
Uustsr county alone one million aores
Of land, now practically worthless
couI6 by the expeuditure Of 5000. .O0(