The morning call., 1893-10-12

there is far more land than can be brought
under irrigation by our present method,
and That to reach the high est state of de-
veiopment it will be essential TO bave a
complete knowledge of the actual water
supply. At present we do not know how
many portions of the arid region can be re-
claimed. and it is only by careful study
| OF the water conditions that the broad
deserts of the West and the un dulating
plains Of the Sunfower State can be
brought TO the highest condition of cUlti-
vation."
He described briefly the more elaborate
examinations of the estimates made to de-
termine the feasibility of certain large
projects, such as diversion of the Snake
| River upon the lava plains Of Idaho; the
| storage of the headwaters of the Arkan.
| sas fer use in Eastern Colorado and
Western Kansas; the storage Of waters
along the Rio Grande and the regulation OF
that river where it fixes the boundary be-
tween the United States and the republic
! of Mexico. This and other great projects
were carefully reported upon by the Geo.
| logical Survey and sufficient data Obtained
| to set at rest many OF the Ques-
tions concerning the probable sue
cess of such projects. Passing to
the consideration of the work of the elev-
enth census, 50 far as this pertained to
irrigation, he described the methods of
enumerating the farms of the United
States and gave brief sketch Of the re-
suits of these enumerations. To each of
the irrigators in the arid region there has
been mailed special schedule. asking for
his opinions and the results of his expert
/ 10 ath hodc of lvip NO ofar bo
| cost and the value. From the replies re-
ceived from over 0.000irrgators and canal
owners averages were drawn of each State
and Territory, showing the original cost
of the water procured, irrigating. its pres
ent value and the annual tax or assess
ment.
| Mr.. Newell dwelt upon the small average
value of products as shown by the census,
and stated that 1t was undou btedly due to
the poor methods employed and the lack
of skill of the great ma i0rity of the irr1-
gators. Many of them attempt 10 culti-
vate more land than can possibly be COW
cred with the water available. The results
| of the census have been somewhat disaD-
| pointing to many persons who have pre-
| pared estimates Of the probable amount of
| land irrigated, but every precaution was
taken to render these figures as accurate
| as possible. for not only were the farms
enumerated by the army of men employed
to canvass each locality in the United States,
| but an extensive eSpondence was car
| ried on with persons in each county, by
which check could be kept upon the
returns as submitted by the men in the
field. 1t is, however. fact that in all
growing countries a house to house emu
meration invariably gives results that are
far below those anticipated.
| The question of interstate waters was
brief1j touched upon, and it was shown
how divergent are the interests of the
| States in cases where rivers arise in one
State and flow across the borders into an
other. The necessity of some general
legislation, which will secure to each State
its proper rights. Is apparent for although
fraternal feelings may be expressed in any
convention of this kind yet in considera-
| tion Of questions Of water supply frater-
| nal feelings have a high market value.
| Nj. Newell dwelt upon the fact that
nearly all the easily available supply of
| water was now utilized or claimed, and
| that progress must be made by utilizing
the larger rivers, by storing water and by
employing to their utmost the springs and
wells. On the great plains, for example,
| in Western Kansas. small areas about each
we'll can be cultivated by irrigation. pro-
| viding sure though perhaps small CROP
The farmer being assured of a living from
| this little patch Of a few irrigated acres,
| can then afford to take his chances on
| larger areas cultivated by ''dry farming"
If a fortunate rain occurs he will receive
enormous returns. If not, ne can at least
obtain some forage.
| Storage dams as rule outside of South
ern California have not been successful.
Many have failed from lack of proper
care or forethought in construction. There
| is pressing need for a thorough supervi-
sion of all such structures. The great
| profits of irrigation, taking the country as
whole, have been mades by the farmers
who. owning barren lands, have combined
to take out the water from some conve-
nient stream. Their returns have been
phenomenal, but unfortunately such OPP
portunitles no longer exist to any notable
extent. Men with small capital or none
at all cannot divert water, for streams
which can be handled by them are no
longer left unclaimed.
In considerations of great projects of
DallOQal OF Otdte Importance lL appears
that we can draw few lessons from abroad.
Our rivers, though large. are insignificant
when compared to the Nile or the great
rivers of India or of Southern Europe.
The ways Of controlling the water-of
diverting it or of distributing it-must be
worked out here in America, and so de-
vised as to be applicable to American
ideas and customs. In examining the re-
ports of the General Land Office it is re-
markable to what extent the arid domain
has been taken up. Although millions of
acres remain unclaimed, yet most of the
choice portions have been filed upon.
Our Western people are in their
own affairs far-sighted. They have
looked into the probabilities of develop
ment, and wherever land can be irrigated.
wherever reservoirs can be made, some
man has taken o claim. either to make
home for himself or to sell. Thus it is
that in nearly every large project which
can be now inaugurated the national
Government is but part owner of the
land, and purchases must be made from
|