Morris tribune., 1891-06-10

Minnesota remains to be determined.
If, as the Irrigation Corps maintains,
the impervious stuff of eastern Dako-
tas, piled in during the drift period
and pressed down from very weight
as an over-and-under-lap, simply di-
vides the sandstone, it is inferential
that the demarcation is limited, and is
more or less eroded or hyphened
through, so to speak, so that such
water spreads itself, may be, as far
east as west of of its axial line north
and south. The water in the basin
finds escapement in springs in south
eastern Dakota and along the north
western borders of Iowa, showing 1t
is not absolutely hedged in along its
eastern edge.
The indications are that the sources
of supply are to the west, mainly from
the Rockies. AS yet the greatest
pressure is found near Jamestown
in North Dakota, and the greatest
flow is at Huron. The special strength
of the flow on a scale of considerable
extension is in the James River Valley.
The dip of the basin is to the north.
The water bearing stratum has been
penetrated so feet in experimentation,
and the bottom not reached. Gener-
ally the drill has entered its upper
side but few inches.
The serious question obtains wheth-
er the sinking of a great number OF
wells too closely together will not les
sen pressure and flow to failing ex-
tent, as has been found in like treat
ment of oil-bearing strata. There is
no doubt about it. Such wells have
given out in parts of Texas and Cali
fornia, owing to too many outlets.
But there is no diminution yet in the
James River Valley where some OF the
wells have been active for five years.
The liabilities of exhaustion and the
facilities for distribution necessltate
government control of the whole
thing. Earth water ought to be con-
sidered, in its broadcast sense, as much
common property as that from the
clouds. With state and national
regulation of this water supply for
the best economy and the greatest
good, it is destined to make the Da-
kotas the two richest states in the
Union. 1t will pave the way for sue
cessful forestry wherewith to break up
and soften down our cyclonic winds
from across the Great Plains. With
these potent factors of replenishment
in cooperation, how will our Mime
sofa climate be effected? Evidently
it will render it milder and more hui
mid and therefore far more productive.
In sections where the artesian fowage
covers considerable territory its form
er arid condition is greatly ameiorat-
ed. The moisture, cooling the super
incumbent air, causes brooding hui
Nudity at night akin to that of heavy
dew. Hence the water supply of
such localities is not exclusively arte-
sian. Extend the humid-producing
process over the Great Plains, which
for centuries have howled the voices of |
desolation, and the hot, dry winds
coming from that quarter will bring
the glad tidings of agricultural pros
perity.
: Let not the great enterprise be
spoiled by OVERRIDING. Too many wells
defeat the object. And there is an
other lesson of warning to learn. AS
the Rockies constitute the headlands
of supply to the water-bearing stratum
the native forests there must be res
cued from the vandalism of ak and
fire. If the government does not in
terfere and cancel the destruction
there going ON, landslides will be |
more frequent, carrying desolation to
the valleys now settling up; and in
stead of forested reservoirs of water,
we shall have torrential foods sweep
ing off on their terrible trend, and
the water no longer percolating into
the great basin during the seasons as
they come and 60.
More and more are we of |
Minnesota realizing the uncertainty
of crops. How can we secure them?
By forestry and irrigation; by irriga
ton to promote forestry. Biologists
agree that the Red River Valley is
the site of an ancient lake. Why can't |
it not be more extensively tapped for
agricultural purposes? 1t can be made
the garden of the west, and our open
prairies be it's rival by bringing the
vast sheets of water below to the sur
face as helps to forestry, soften our
winds and protect our crops, then
enhanced in produetiyeness and value
hundred fold.
j. 0. BARRETT.
Sec'y of Estate Foresty Association.