Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-05-16
SOUTH DAKOTA STRINGS.
Irrigation Matters.

$3.50, 600 will be appropriated at ibis ses'
sion of congress for the purpose of begin
ming the irrigation of the arid plains Of
North and South Dakota, Montana and
the northwest, and that the money will be
used in boring artesian wells in what is
supposed to be the artesian basin of that
country. They say that North and South
Dakota have already demo astrated q suf-
fcient a~rtesian power to make not only ir-
rigation buy the a~rtesian process practicable,
but that any quantity o fpower for manufac-
turing purposes can be obtained by tapping
the artesian basin. Senator Moody says
that the people interested in the irrigation
of the arid plains will not be content with
a simple survey of the country to be irri-
gated, but will demand a sufficient amount
of money to begin the work of irrigation,
and will take a position which will make it
next to an impossibility to accomplish any,
thing in congress unless the demand is
granted.
The conclusion of the subcommittee of
the house committee On irrigation to
accept Mr.. Connell's proposition to with
draw from the market the basin
lands which supply basin irrigation
for the arid plains meets with gen.
eral approval and there is very little doubt
that it will take the form of a law. 1t is
the purpose now of congress to protect
settlers against corporations which secure
the water supply Of the country and make
free irrigation an impossibility. The gov
eminent intends to enter the irrigation
business itself and will hold the water
basins for that purpose.
Valuable Bed of Hydraulic Cement.
2 The United States irrigation commits
sion finished its work at Huron and went
to Hitchcock, where an artesian we'll will
be examined; then the commission pro-
ceeds to jamestown. Col. Nettleton is
gratifed with the result of the investiga-
ton at Huron and believes it will be the
key to the situation throughout the ar
tesian basin. They return to Huron in
ten days. Prof. Hay, chief field geologist;
Maj. Coffin, state engineer of irrigation,
and David S. McCaslin, Appointment geolo-
gist, visited Washington Hills with a view
of ascertaining the strata yielding the arte-
sian flow; also to examine the water and
the source of the Washington springs.
While in the hills Prof. Hay discovered a
well developed bed of hydraulic cement
rock. He believes it to be of excellent
quality and says the bed covers a large area
and !that cement works can be easily
worked. Samples were taken to be sent to
the department at Washington with a re-
port of the find. Other samples will be
sent to experts for examination and test.
1~ncaiculable Benefits Rendered by the Late
Fall of Moisture.
The Huronite prints reports from thirty
one counties in South Dakota on the con.
dition of growing crops. The reports show
that, although but little rain has falle1
throughout the state and high winds have
prevailed in many localities during the
past week, early sown wheat is growing
nicely. The cold nights and heavy frost!
have done no injury other than to slightl,
damage fruit. A considerable acreage o.
corn has been planted. The recent heav!
rain in the north, east and south parts
of the state will be of incalcul.
able benefit in some localities, ant
particularly in the northern tier of coun.
ties, where rain was sadly needed ant
farmers were becoming discouraged. TIL
counties stricken by drouth last season
seem to be especially favored this year
The outlook in South Dakota for an excel
lent crop year is fattering.
South Dakota Crops.
The Huronite prints reports from thirty.
one counties in South Dakota on the con
dition of the growing crops. The report
show that, although but little sai1
has fallen throughout the state ant
high winds have prevailed in many 10
c%alities, the early sown wheat is grow
ing nicely. Cold nights and heavy frost,
have done no injury other than to slight,
damage fruit. A considerable acorage o
corn has been planted. The heavy raj,
here and in the north. east and south part
of the state yesterday and to-day will b.
of incalculable benefit. The outlook i,
South Dakota for an excellent crop il
fattering.
South Dakota Tin.
Senator Moody, Of South Dakota, hal
delivered to the senate committee O,
finance 1000 pounds of tin ore and 10,
pounds of pig tin and other specimens O.
tin, taken from the Honey Peak tin mine
in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Il,
intends to use these as a tangible ~illustra
ton of the possibilities of South Dakot.
tin mines in asking for an increase of dut,
on tin plate. Senator Moody said tina
South Dakota alone would furnish all tn,
tin TO be used in the United States, if pro
lection is given sufficiently long to bring
about the development of the mines.
Doings in Dakota.
TIE South Dakota Bankers associatio,
will meet at Sioux Falls, June 5 and G.
FARMER named Desmond. living il
Hamlin county, had a narrow escape iron
death by fire Tuesday night. While i,
the stable feeding his horses the lanter,
exploded and set the hay on fire. In at
tempting to rescue the animals he wa
knocked down n trampled upon until b.
became unconscious. His coat was burnet
from his body and his hands and face lit
orally roasted before he was rescued by
member OF his family. Four horses ant
the other contents Of the barn wer
burned.
The A. o. U. W. seed wheel fund o,
the 18th day of April amounted to 1921.
IL. The disbursements up to the aboy
data vera RI ono An Tha ~