Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-06-11
ANIRRIGATION PLAN.

supplies late issue oil the r 1orlda AgFl
culturist with paper on the above subject
applying it TO his own state. of course. II
so well applies to Texas also that we have
concluded 10 make up an article giving IN
Substance the ideas he advances.
Mr.. Lagergren says three things are
daily becoming more and more apparent as
necessary for the continued and increasing
prosperity of Florida: Irrigation, immi-
grafton and capital. The application TO
Texas is entirely perfect in this instance.
Florida cannot raise much Of anything, as
rule, without heavy fertilizing. vet in the
face of this fact the writer goes on 10 state
that 10 much of Florida lands irrigation IS
of even more importance than fertilizers,
and that this importance will increase rap
Idly as timber is cleared out ana Overfowed
areas drained.
If irrigation IS OF so much importance 10
Florida, what ought II to be 10 Texas, where
the annual rainfall averages only about half
what it averages there,
Florida must irrigate. continues MIR.
I.agergreH. and yet irrigation is thing so
costly hal few men Of small means can I'M
dertaBe il for themselves. While there are
numerous areas in the state so situated with
REGARD 10 water supply that suitable pump
ing machinery could irrigate several SINAI:
fields as well as one, many causes prevent
farmers from clubbing together for an cree
lion of waterworks. Now, the more neces-
sUry irrigation becomes for the successful
culture OF fruit and truck the harder it will
Ue 10 lure Immigration this way, on the ac-
count OF the increased cost of commencing
operations. And here IS where capital
might step in and make profitable invest
lneut by securing both irrigation and immi-
grafton.
Let rs suppose Capitalist IS willing to
cry the scheme. This is al age Of associa-
lion. He first secures an eligible tract OF
Land. He then advertiSeS his intention of
planting an irrigation colony, y and keeps
Il subscription list on which are entered
The parties who agree 10 buy lots from him,
and for certain number of wears pay a
yearly water rent, and to conform TO such
other conditions as circumstances may re-
quire. The capitalist in turn agrees to fur
uish water FOR irrigation of crops on the
lots for sale by him. When a sufficient
humber have signed TO warrant it, water
works are erected on the site and mains
laid and everything made ready for the
colony, OF course the lots sold should not,
and need not, be larger than five or ten
ceres, and should be so laid out and settled
with reference to water mains as 10 make
one main answer as long as possible before
i second one is LAID.
The waterworks need not be very costly
at first, and among the settlers some one
very likely would DC found able TO care for
The plant and run the machinery when nee
eSsary so that an engineer would not have
Ia be steadily employed.
A plant 10 lift water for irrigation pur-
poses need not be 81 all a costly plant, a fact
which may hold the annual water rate to
consumers at comparatively low figures.
But what one could consistently put down
Is a low water rate-low enough TO be en-
rirely profitable 10 the user-would pay
very fair per cent on the investment. y
plant for irrigating $50 acres need not cost
above $1,000 say there should be but 100
acres under culture at the start, the work
ers of even this comparatively small acre
age could afford to pay reasonable per
rent on the investment. With each sue
reedmg year the acreage under culture
would be rapidly increased TO the advantage
of the rultivator, for the water rate would
be corresp ondlngly reduced.
Nothing tells so well for all enterprise as
10 have everybody III any way connected
with # personally Interested in advancing
its welfare. Such would be tile case in an
irrigation venture on this plan. Each
worker Of q fve-acre lot would know that
every additional worker of a similar lot
added to the colony would prove II direct
gain 10 himself in ii corresponding re-
auction of his own annual water rates. AS
Il result every colonist would he free-act-
ins advertising agent and advocate. and as
II consequence the lands OF the syndicate
would be rapidly taken.
The plan outlined above, thinks the
writer, Is i good pointer for both men OF
means and intenting immigrants. People
are getting more and more alive 10 the ad-
of union and combined efforts.
and there can BE- no doubt that settlements
formed upon the plan mentioned would ~
vastly more prosperous and contented than
when made in the prevailing hap-hazard de- |
sultory manner.
As tsc success Of such colonies would be |
If vital interest TO their founders, they
rould, by exercising some judgment. man
age 10 get about all the members Of each |
separate colony from the same class of |
people so that no distinction by wealth, ed |
ucation OF prejudice would disturb the har-
uouv. but all he actuated by the same in /!
eresls and aims. \ spirit Of cooperation |
would soon manifest Itself uuder such cir |
,umstanccs and the draft animals. imple- |
neuts, tools. etc. that each isolated grower. |
-ingly must be providei with. could here
be used jointly at Il greatly reduced cost !
between several.
After 4 careful study of this matter from |
very possible standpoint. we find ourselves !
sr.irely satisfied that such an irrigation ar |
angement Us suggested by Mir. Lageigren |
Guild be made 10 pay handsomely in Texas |
Here we have the natural soil in first-class |
Iua!ity and in very many localities we have |
ample water supply comparatively easy of |
irtiiicial application. With view TO get |
ing ourselves better understood we will |
Lunose ease or 81 bpoinniup with rlinp-