Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1891-08-25
Commissioner Carter sViews on
the disposition and Future
Development of the
Arid Lands.
A Broad Policy Outlined which
if Adopted will Result
in Their Speedy
Reclaim ati)n.


pie Of Montana have Known and recJg-
nized his superlative ability aud re-
Gently even his political opponents in
this state have made tardy amends
for their previous villlficatiOns 10y
heaping unsolicited honors upon his
head. While we at home have thus
known and honored him, it is pleas
ing to note that in localities far remote /
from here, and where the interests he |
champions can have at beat but latent |
sympathy, his utterances and opinions
are sought and given 10 the world as
matters worthy Of national consider
alton.
A recent issue OF the New York
Recorder, one Of the leading dallies Of
that city, contains an editorial from
Mr.. Carter's pen under the title What
Shall We Do with the Arid Lands,"
which we take pleasure IN reproducing
In full. The Recorder in referring TO the
article editorially speaks Of il - an
able handling Of a most important
subject, and commends il TO the care
full consideration of national law
makers. The article Is as follows.
WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH THE ARID
LANDS?
Very little desirable public land re-
mains unappropiated outside Of the
boundaries Of " hat may be termed the
arid region. That the demand for
homes on the pubic domain is greater
In an even before in the eOu1try's his
tory may reasonably be inferred from
recent experience in the opening Of
Oklahoma Territory for settlement.
On an average there appeared upon
the ground, within twenty-four hours
after the land was thrown open for
settlement by the presidents procla-
nation, at lea.t two qualified entry
men for every desirable quarter section
of land in the territory. In conse-
auence Of the abnormal demand and
the limited acreage conflicting claims
arose which have resulted in vexatiOus
and expensive contests. This unusual
= demand for land In Oklahoma did moi
arise because of any special preferences
for the climate OF soil, but because o
very limited area ofppblic land remain
ing upon which a settler can raise crop
without artificial irrigation. Their
? are millions Of acres of land in the ariS
- region with soil equal il not superio
to that found in Oklahoma, in sectiJn
m of the country where the climate /
or equally desirable, upon which no on
y attempts to settle for the reason that
y y water supply for irrigating purpose
cannot be secured at such expense y
h che settlers are able to undergo.
1t has been demonstrated that thes
arid lands, when reclaimed by
sufficient water supply proper for irrl
CATION produce abundant crops for q
indefinite period Of time, ana with IN
| falling regularity. Water conducte
from streams or reservoirs to the IAN
! and distributed over its surface In th
process Of irrigation seems TO act as
powerful fertilizing agent
Generally speaking. the water sur
ply in the flowing streams is inad'
quate during the irrlgatlng season
which usually covers the months
June, July ndAugust--to irrigate an
great extent Of country. The supp
thus available has been to very gre
extent appropriated by early settle
on what Is termed the first or cres
bottom lands. In cOnsequehce 1t
manifestly necessary, In order 10 8
cure q water supplys.for the extensi'
plateaus which stretch many miles {
either side of nearly every sheam, tn
the fiOw Of water through the enti
year should be stored and conducts
from the reservoirs in canals duriI
the irrigating season to the land 20
cultivated.
Owing to the elevation Of these pl
teaua above the level Of The streams.
is frequently necessary TO ccnstru
canals many miles on q slight grade
order to conduct the water of q
. stream 20 the highest point on q
land 70 be reclaimed. Again, In ord
to store the water supply Of the entI
year. = 40 during the entire seasc
when Il Is needed, reservoirs - -s-=
capacity must be constructed. and
such strength as will insure the safe
Of persons residing In the valley b
low. Until such reservoirs and oAna
shall have been constructed the reel