The Helena independent., 1893-12-18
IRRlG COLONISiS

IKhlGAiloN NpAONlShS
The ignorant and senseless TRADE OF
Congressman Hepburn, Of Iowa, against
farming in the arid region. during the
debate on the Arizona admission bill
the other day, was remarkable display
Of provincialism even for SO poorly in
formed body as the American house
OF representatives. The advantages of
irrigation in farming over other meth.
DDS have Geen so overwhelmingly estab-
lished ry the experience OF thousands
of years that We did not suppose any
man could be found who would deny
them.
Mr.. Hepburn's sneering denial. too,
that population would ever leave Iowa
for the arid states was equally unfor-
tunate for his reputation as prophet,
for the time is already at hand when he
will see the exodus begin.
And the reasons why it should be so
are many and obvious. To say nothing
Of tho greater yield and the annual GER
tainty of crops under irrigation, farm
ing under Ills system will work social
revolution among the farming GLASS. In
the latest number OF the Irrigation
Market Mr.. Joel Shoemaker clearly sets
forth the advantages that are certain to
bring population to the arid region from
states like Iowa, where the isolation Of
farm life is SO oppressive and appalling.
Where irrigation is extensively prac-
ticed the union of colonists upon the CO.
operative plan insures success, where
individual labors may be unavailing.
Reservoirs can be constructed, canals
built and kept in repair, large streams
tapped and vast underhow supplies
brought to the surface. The union of
action, combination of resources and
general desire for public improvements
are incentives to colony plans for rriga-
ton enterprises. What seems beyond
the power of few scattered and poor
farmers, can easily be accomplished by
cooperation of many, and while each in
dividual reaps greater benefits than
from independent efforts, the corpora
tion becomes recognized power in con-
trolling and distributing water, secur-
ing proper markets and creating conf
dence in the future of irrigation farming.
Colony life assists in creating indi-
vidual wealth and increases public pros
perity, There is no waste Of water from
surplus bitches; many useless expendi-
lures in fencing can be avoided; the
value of the land is enhanced; private
and public Improvements are encour-
aged and fostered; and the revenue de-
rived from taxation returns moro
directly to the taxpayers. Cooperative
methods of farming, grazing and herd
ing of stock can be adopted. and better
grades of sheep, cattle and horses OBJ
tanned. A better market for farm pro.
ducts can be secured, and large saving
in purchasing farm machinery seeds
and other supplies can be made. Every
effort made by one colonist for improv-
ing his land, machinery or methods of
work, benefits the entire community, by
others following the example and en-
deavoring to eclipse their neighbor.
In we'll organized colonies the facili-
ties OF transportation are better; schools
are more modernized and better
equipped; means Of public entertain
ment are moro conveniently arranged,
and the methods Of entertaining are
moro elevnting; and the health, habits
and training IN dress, economy and
language, are more carefully guarded.
Sanitary regulations are more scrupu-
lousy observed. The fountains of
water supply are systematically pro-
tected from unwholesome pollutons.
Dwellings are erected on elaborate and
convenient plans, and burns and other
buildings are usually more suited to the
purposes of preservation of farm pro.
duct and the protection of animals.
Merchandise and the fruits of the soil
are handled in large quantities, thus in
suring better qualities Of the articles
consumed, and better prices for the
commodities exported
Mr.. Shoemaker's points are made
with ununswerable logic and his conclu-
sion is SO convincing refutation of tho
shallow observations of mon like Hep
burn that it is worthy Of wide circula-
tion.. He says:
mo rainbelt section can offer suoh
great inducements to colonizers as are
found in the fields Of irrigation. The
facilities for organization and develop
ment are not present. In the arid re-
gions the valleys are surrounded by
mountain ranges, protecting the colon
lists from winds, cyclones and storms.
Convenient locations are selected upon
pure mountain streams, for town sites
where fuel is near at hand The ad-
vanced means of transportation are
utilized with much less expenditure,
aud mails are handled with more seer
tainty, celebrity and dispatch" The cul-
tiyated area is not divided by hills and