San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-12-04
IRRIGATION CONVENTION.

SdIlOu III 1SAdS, 10 III" III oOCS'OH
in this city. That 1t is an event
which may mark an important era
in the development Of the arabic
section of this great southwest, is
fully recognized by those who are
even imperfectly acquainted with
what irrigation has done in other
states, both in the matter OF en-
HANGING the price OF lands and in
ducing capital to invest. AS San
Antonio has shown a deeper in
terest in this matter Of a conven-
ton than any Of the other cities OF
the south, thus demonstrating her
broader view OF the needs OF the
state and her wiser appreciation
Of what offers in this convention, so
should her citizens, now that the
convention is actually In session,
avail themselves Of the opportuni
ty thus offered to grow acquainted
with the measures proposed and
hear the arguments advanced to
support them. Colorado and Cali
fornia are living examples OF the
changes wrought by the magic hand
of wise adaptation of means to
end. What has been there done can
as easily be wrought in Texas
This state is to the full as favorably
situated for the work OF irriga-
ton as any other. There is no
question of the water supply in
the section that would most nat
urally come under the operation OF
irrigation enterprises, and the
moisture once supplied there is no
question OF the results, for the fer
tility of the soil and the warmth
OF the climate are all that are re-
quired to call forth the best results
of cultivation. Modern research,
experiment and observation have
reduced the problem OF irrigation
to fixed science, and there Is no
longer any doubt of an intelligent
understanding of the end from the
beginning. The water supply can
be accurately measured, and the
amount of area that a given water
supply will furnish with the mois
ure needed for proper growth is as
determinable as any other scien-
titic proposition. Capital will be
in demand to put the enterprises
that will make a garden Of this
southwest upon their feet, and this
capital will necessarily come in a
great measure from abroad. To
induce this capital to center in this
city and to give out its beneficient
streams from this center, it will
be necessary to inspire capital
with the requisite confidence
in the outcome OF the venture.
Fortunately that has already
been accomplished. The work
that has so Enhanced values and
turned arid wastes into fertile
fields, giving employment to thou
sends and returning large profits
to capital, in other states, has al
ready solved the problem Of inter
est by capital in such schemes.
All that is necessary in this in
stance is to show that wisdom
plans the measures, and science
directs the necessary surveys and
calculations, and experience mans
the works in order to enlist capt. al
to the desired extent. Our people
can further the work at it's present
stage in no better way than. by
taking deep personal interest in
the sessions of this convention ant
by their attendance proving that
they are vitality concerned in the
success Of this movement to make
the. arabic lands of this southwest
bear the grains and fruits and
vegetables that nature has fitted
her to bear in so great profusion
once the moisture Is supplied,
Self help is the greatest Of al
helps, and the work and servic,
that aids those dependent upol