St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-07-29
ARTRsIAN WELLS.
Their Need and Feasibility in Da-
kota Discussed by the BOWdle

Their Need and Feasibility in Da-
kota Discussed by the BOWdle
Pioneer.
The subject of artesian wells is re-
ceiving attention all over the Union.
Even in New York the farmers are agi-
tating the question of sinking artesian
wells, in order to provide against an oc-
casional dry spell, the same as they are
in the Western states. The question is
assuming national Importance. and
committee of the United States senate
will leave st. Paul on Aug. on tour
of inquiry and observation as to the
need of irrigation in our Western states
with view to providing national aid
for the prosecution of the Wolk. If
possible they should be induced to visit
this section. and an invitation from the
alliance might be an lnducement. 1t
will do 10 harm to advocate measure
that will give us flowing stream of
water down some, if not all. of our dry
creek beds. 1t is fact that this is
practically a waterlesS country OH the
surface. We have few lakes that
have water in them. fed by springs,
but most of them are, mere
hay bottoms. There are no run
ming streams, and the cultivated
area as yet is mere speck of the
country. All the essentials for inducing
a reliable rainfall are lacking. The
question is how to remedy the evil. 1t
has been demonstrated in Colorado and
lower California, and even III the Sa-
hara desert, that the sinking of arteSian
wells cause a dry arid plain to become
the prosperous home of thousands, and
what has been done there can be done
in Dakota. 1t has been demonstrated
that there is water in abundance be-
meath the surface in Dakota. and that
artesian wells here are a success.
1t is also known that Dakota
possesses soil unequaled for
DrOductiveneSS, and minimum
of moisture is sufficient to pro-
duce crops that are the marvel of the
entire world. The only trouble is that
for the last three years it has been I'M
certain when rains would come, to over
come the hot, dry winds that some time
come from the South, For that reason
the people of all sections are agitating
the sinking of artesian wells. Many
have been sunk, mostly in towns. for
fire purposes There is one at Ipswich,
in this county. All of them yield flow
OF water per day amounting to from one
to four million gallons. But the main
question to be considered is the advisa-
bility of putting down artesian wells
for purposes of irrigation and inducing
a greater rainfall. There has been some
discussion as to the feasibility of filling
up some of our lake beds with arteSian
water, and it is estimated by those who
have given the matter attention that two
wells sunk so as to cause their flow to
run into Spring lake would fill it up
with water; and that two wells placed
on the north fork of Swan creek, and
two also on the south fork, would
fill up Swan lake. If these
were filled with water it is be-
lieved that the consequent evap ora
ton would induce an unfailing rainfall
that would be sufficient for the needs
of this section. The scheme is worthy
of consideration. While this locality
this year has been blessed with fair
rainfall, it would be the safer plan to
provide against drouth, and the saving
thus effected in one year by increased
crops would provide for the sinking of
one or more arteslan wells in each
township. 1t is something worthy of
the most serious consideration by our
farmers. The legislature last winter
enacted law which will enable these
wells to be sunk at public expense.