Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-05
ARTESIAN WELLS.
Continued from Fourth Page.

inventive genius even these difficulties
NAV be readily overcome by the use of
irrigation pumps which are available
at a much greater depth than the surface
of the water in any of the wells in
which a sufficient rise has not been
secured.
If flow of salt water should be OBJ
tanned as is the case in the well at
Larned, Kan, it may be claimed by
some would be Injurious rather than
beneficial. While we are not prepared
TO say that salt water wonld be detrl-
mental to the growth of vegetation II
used for irrigation, yet the rank growth
of vegetation which we have noticed
along the margin of the great salt plains
of the Clmarron in the Indian territory
is at least one point in favor OF the opln-
ion that salt water would be IN no way
Injurious if used for irrigatlng purposes.
Certainly no objection could be oHereo
If the salt water be allowed TO eVaporate
from the prairie sinks while the salt
thus obtained might be source OF great
profit.
In fact we believe that this theory in
corporates all the desirable features OF
those heretofore advanced, and answers
every objection that can be raised In OPP
position TO 1t.
In conclusion it will be proper to make
some inquiries concerning the sources
from which TO secure the proper hnan-
cial support for the development of the
scheme. While many might be named,
we shall notice only three.
First-By congressional appropriation.
In this connection we will state that al
though we have confined this discussion
to southwestern Kansas, we have done
so only for the reoson that we have not
yet had opportunity to extend our per-
sonal investigations over larger area.
Our opinion, based on what we con-
slider strictly reliable information, Is
that the same conditions as herein set
forth exist in western Kansas, north of
the Arkansas river, in eastern Colorado
and in northern Texas, and in fact IN
nearly all the semi-arid regions OF the
west. 1t is doubtless well known that
the senatorial committee on irrigation
and arid lands gave much attention to
the subject of artesian wells while on
its tour Of investigation last summer,
and in any general scheme OF work
which may be decided upon after the
report of this committee this subject Will
receive proper consideration. 1t Is not
at all probable that special appropria-
lion can be secured to experiment with
arteslan wells, for the reason that such
legislation would be entirely too local in
its nature. But without doubt a large
appropriation will be made for the pur-
poses of irrigation at the present session
of congress, and Hon. 5. r. Peters prom
ises TO do everything in his power for
his constituents in this direction, pro-
IL, ! h 1al
and furnished. The aim of these articles
v TO supply the necessary information,
and we believe that if the proper effort
is promptly made when the appropria-
ton is being distributed a reasonable
amount can be secured for experiments
in southwestern Kansas.
Many arguments might be offered to
induce recognition of the claims of
southwestern Kansas on congressional
legislation. The United States govern
ment has received from the set
tiers of southwestern Kansas hun
dreds of thousands of dollars in
payment for lands under presumption and
homestead entries, of which hundreds
have been abandoned for no other reason
than that the numerous failures of
crops have exhausted the means and
this country in good faith and are COM
PEELED by force of circumstances to aban-
don it, 1t may be said that many of the
pre-emption entries were made by single
men and others, who had no experience
in agricultural pursuits and no intention
to improve their farms after completing
their entries. While this is true it will
be readily admitted that nearly all farms
IF
ALWAYS been and are still for sale at very
low prices. and had this country been
blessed with bountiful crops these low
priced unimproved farms would have
been eagerly sought after by practical
farmers, and the population of the coun-
ties of Southwestern Kansas, instead of
being less than one-third what it was
two or three years ago. would be much
greater today than at any time in their
history. Besides, as we have before
stated, very few of the entries made
under the timber culture act can ever be
completed until there is a marked change
in the climatic conditions. and the
greater part of Southwestern Kansas
must sooner or later revert to the use of
cattlemen for grazing purposes, and the
sugar industry, which promises so much
for this country, must be greatly re-
tarded if not eventually abandoned.
Aside from the salt industry which
might be developed by sinking deep
wells, agriculture and stock-raising
are the only resources of Southwest
ern Kansas No demands will ever
be made upon congress for Improvements
of rivers or production of mineral prod
ucts. Besides the great west is on gen
eral principles certainly deserving Of
more recognition from our national leg
iSlators than 1t has heretofore received.
The second source to which we may look
with some confidence is to a union of in
terests on the part of loan companies and
other corporations who have invested
largely in real estate and municipal Sc
curities in this section of the state. Many
Of these corporations already realize the
necessity OF prompt and united action in
1evising some scheme TO prevent heavy
depreciation in the value of their securl-
ties and obviate great loss of money on
their own part and that of their patrons.
From these two sources we can scarcely
hope for more than a sufficient sum TO
carry the scheme over the experimental
stage and sink a few wells in each coun-
" with d view of determining the feast
biity of the plan. Before the plan can
be practically demonstrated II must he
prosecuted by those directly interested
in its success, which is the third source
and the one from which all great enter
prises are carried out. The practical
demonstration of the theory must depend
on private enterprise. Until the plan is
carried beyond the experimental stage
we would certainly discourage all efforts
to secure money Tor sinking artesian