Wichita eagle., 1890-01-05
116 to 100 Main Street.

one-tenth of the surface Of southwestern
Kansas could be converted into Grtiii-
Cial lakes, providing a sufficient amount
of water can be obtained with which 10
fill them.
And with these data berore us. am
am now ready 10 present my the theory,
which, II practically demonstrated. viii
reclaim for agricultural purposes all rhe
so-calied semi-arid lands CT southwest
ern Kansaf
| If by sinking artesian wells in this
region a sufficient flow Of water can be
obtained to til the prairie sinks and
/ draws. the whole of southwestern Kan
sas will be thickly interpreted with
vast number Of artificial lakes. Tie
evaporation Of the water from thess
/ lakes viii increase the humid
/ ity OF the tmospherc, augment
/ the annual precipitation and dispel
these disastrous hot winds. The decep-
/ tive mirage viii be then reality.
/ Groves Of trees will grow upon the bord-
ers Of the lakes and the whole country
viii be converted from a semiarid region
into one most delightful 10 the eve md
the finest agricultural and grazing coua-
try on the American continent
We have now given, as we trust.
far exposition of the existing clamatic
conditions Of southwestern Kansas and
noticed briefly the theories which have
heretofore been promulgated for the
amelioratiOn Of these conditions. We
have outlined what we conceive 20 10
a plausible theory and one capable q
practical denomination and given few
OF the facts on which our conclusions
are based
H., r e..
may be justly claimed for tins theory
are numerous and apparent
IL admits Of the employment u all
those means which have heretofore been
recommended for the solution OF fisese
problems. IL these draws and prairie
sinks can 10 filled with water. tins
amount Of moisture conserved by break-
ing prairie sod and saD soil plowIng will
be greatly augmented As We have BE-
fore stated groves Of trees can bs Sue
cesgsnIly cultivated on the margins ~
these artificial lakes and what ever mod
flying influence thsre may he ia the
growth Of forest trees can be readily ap-
prOpriAted. The theory OF impOuniing
and conserving the surplus water which
falls N rain and snow - combined aud
brought within comprehension Of those
whom u - intended 20 benefit and re-
lievss the serious doubts a. 10 the IN
huencs To be ererfed by large basins
hundreds % miles distant
We have not claimed tia. a sufficisnt
flow of water can be secured 70 irrlgats
BY the usual method, nor az. we ready
10 affirm or deny such q possibility. The
aggregate flow Of the wells IN Meade
county are sufficient 20 irrizats AZ leas.
20 acres during the sevsrest drouths
and those ~ Coolidge 900 acres. ar.
kd~srd Dudley. the gsntlsmOu before
named, irrigated about five acres Of
ground during the pas; summer by tie
water from two ordinary wells and
raisei an abundance Of garden vegetables
u al kinds: and the growth o! various
KINDS Of forest trees in small nursery
which hs supplied with water by tins
means vas truly marvellous. a well
IKE taaf a, kachheid would !nsurs
oouniagl crop Of vegetables snd small
fruits Gny ordinary season On n. least
.sn acres q ground snd By conducilzy
ne surpIus 70 4 pE2Irss sink which mar
le found on nearly every quarter s~c-
.sCn, K would rs iE9s conserved and a.
owed 20 evaporate.
Deep wells have been sunk A. Mad.
Syracuse, SANTA Re and Liberal IN which
be water does not flow over the so, Of
he shaft Hhssber lAess wells were
properly cassd when beng sunk. ~s
1zTe - far been unable 70 determine.
lestbsE have We been able 20 secure the
.rlA record II those sseils. Wh.Is o.L.r
Is-..sS>. - sstssfA Fa.a