The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-10
IRRIGATION OF ARID LANDS.
What Kas Been Done Already-Pros-
poets of the BIZ Pending in Congress.

WAsHIyGToy CITY, May 9-TSpecial -
The vacant public domain Of the United
States, exclusive Of Alaska, the Cherokee
strip and certain other lands not claimed
by the Indians, IS estimated by the report
Of the commissioner Of the general land
Office at 579, Ga, 683 acres, surveyed and un-
surveyed in approximately equal proper
tons. The principal amount Of this land
Is situated within what is known as the
arid region, embracing the greater portion
Of the territory west Of the seventy-ninth
meridian of longitude. According to the
estimates Of government officials, the arid
region, including the serni-acid plains,
embraces 1870 900 square miles. OF
this abou: one-fourth lies in the
great plains region east of the Rocky
Mountains, which IS principally arabic
land; another fourth is embraced in the
Rocky mountain belt, not more than one
third Of which is arabic; thrae-eighths lies
in the great basin and plateau region be-
tween the ROCKY mountains and the Sierra
Nevada, and about one-half Of which is
arabic; while the remainder is embraced
in ranges of the Sierras, and is in the main
rocky and unsusceptible Of cultivation. II
is estimated that about one-fourth of the
arid region IS composed Of rocky or noun
famous honorable land.
1t IS estimated BY Major Powell Of the
geological survey, that about 100 100000
acres Of this arid region may be redeemed
by irrigation through the utilization OF
stream waters, and, as shown in the CEN
sus reports, about 10000 acres OF land are
now irrigated in the seni-humid plains
region, and that about !, 0G0. 600 acres are
irrigated IN the arid region proper. When
the bill for the ceding Of the arid lands to
the several states and territories was re-
ported TO the House IL was supported bv
majority Of the committee, ONLY two
members holding out. l. IS the general
impression, however, among members Of
the House from states Interested in the
ceding Of the arid lands, that when the
bill comes up for consideration there will
be 10 difficulty in the way Of its passing
There IS some little doubt, however. as 10
the action Of the Senate. In speaking of
the subject. Representative Townsend. of
Colorado, and Delegate Joseph, Of New
Mexico, stated that they did not think
the bill would come up ct this session, but
would At the next session and would pass.
Irrigation II the United States began in
Utah In ISL, and has proved OF great sue
cess under wise and conservative Iegisla-
tion, based upon actual experience. The
waters have been so distributed and util-
lied by the settlers as 10 produce the very
best results. The showing in the recent
United States census Of agricultural de-
vel0pnent gives fair idea Of what has
been accomplished in that territory. In
loD crops were raised by irrigation on
2b3, 473 acres, Of which about nine-tenths
depended on irrigation, the remaining
tenth being either stock ranches or farms
IN the northern part Of the territory.
where the climate IS less arid. or situated
On the mountain sides so high that crops
can be raised by what is known az dry
farming" New Mexico is another ex
ample OF the wonderful benefits of 1rriga.
ton OF the arid lands. In this territory in
single year no less than q million acres
were reclaimed by the construction of
canals and reservoirs. Towns and VILLAGES
have been built presenting the highest
type or American civilization. and every
year the number OF acres reclaimed and
cultivated by irrigation - increasing. The