The herald., 1894-01-01

IOlAi.... .O4s A0f o,OoisOcl
The totel land surface of the arid
region is $50, ,3l2 600 acres, so that less
than one-half of per cent ia irrigated.
1t is estimated that there are GIG 100000
acres OF land in this region upon which
water would produce crops.
1t ia q startling fact, ss showing the
future Importance OF irrigation TO the
United Statee, that of 56S, COO, 600 acres
OF vacant public lands in the country.
642, 900, 900 acres or about 95 per cent
are in the arid region. The other SAL
3l2, 900 acree in the arid region are in
the hands of individuals, cornorations,
or otherwise beyond government CON
troll. 1t is estimated than less than 8
per cent.of the land which is fasmed ia
the arid region is irrigated.
The average value of irrigated lands,
including improvements, ranges from
$3l. per acre in Wyoming to $3.50 per
acre in California, the general average
being $S3 %. The average value of pro-
ducts ranges from 1926 per acre in
Wyoming to $40 in California, a general
average OF $14.S9.
The average first cost of water rights,
or OF bringing water to the land, is
given as $S.l5 per acre irrigated, and
the average value OF these water rights
at S26 per acre. The average annual
expenditure averages $l.07 per acre, for
maintaining bitches, etc. This charge
varies widay, running from 10 cents 10
So or mo-. per acre.
The firet cost of the systems was 500,
,61l ,000 and the estimated value $94,-
4l2, 900, an increase OF nearly PIG per
cent. The irrigated areas increased in
value from $77 ,490, 900 to 1896, $50, 900,
or 283 per cent.
Small bitches, under five feet in
width, have cost $4Sl per mile; those OF
medium size, from five to ten feet in
width, s162S per mile. and those OF ten
feet and upward s5603 per mile, includ-
ing headworks, fumes, etc.
ADVANTAGES OF IRRIGATION.
The average profits arising from irri.
gatien appear relatively low. Many in.
dividual caHes could be cited, especially
in regions like Southern California
which are devoted to fruit culture, where
the returns have been almost fabulous
LANDS that were worth from 90 cents to
10 per acre have, by the expenditure OIL
$40 to $50 per acre in construction oi
Irrigation works, become worth $500 pei
acre and upward. Such lands set out
with citrus trees have, within 10 years o
planting, sold at $1,000 an acre and
more.
Horticulture is not the only branch o
agriculture that is benefited by irriga
tion. The desirable points OF a more
certain crop and larger yield are jus
as certainly secured with corn and al
falfa as with oranges and apricots. Stocl
growing is greatly benefited by irriga
ton, as pastures are kept green anC
fresh, and great crops OF hay are pro
duced. Alfalfa, the great forage crop o
this section, ID nude to give from five tt
eight cuttings a season, which aggregat,
q tonnage which it would be- Impossible
to secure under ordinary conditions
Almost every product known to our agri
cuIture will not only yield more but vii
give greater return above the coat c
production.
One OF the greatest proofs OF the valu
OF irrigation lies in the fact that n
farmer who has once practiced it wou
willingly go to farming in any distric
where he would have 10 depend on tn
natural rainfall. He knows that tn
labors OF halfa year will not he rendere
void because OF q weeks drought. III
farmer in an irrigated region does NJ
have to wait for ram in order 10 plow, I
SOW, or TO cultivate. He has the ell
ments and the seasons practically und,
hia control.
DIFFERENT METHODS.
Early systemu Of irrigation in Cal
iornia we're naturally OF the crudel
character. AT present the highest Ell
gineering ekill ard large capital al
combined to construct welk5 that col
lnillions OF dollsra.
The extent and lpca'ior of tine lsrf
70 be irrigated aust lirst be Iefefm ne
with Approximate accuracy, in ords