Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-09-06
Artesian Wells.

Ue GlouAS "a
GOOD word to say OF South Dakota ana
endeavors to keep its interests constant
" before the people. A lew days 9
| hat progressive journal contained an
article on artesian wells and their possl,
| HE benefit to the state. The journal
said:
The feasibility OF irrigation as a means
| og offsettipg the disasters OF drouth 10
| M longer questioned, and the possibility
| of artesian wells over a large part OF the
! state of South Dakota has been demon
strated to the satisfaction OF all. 1t 10
| therefore natural hat much attention IL
| b.ing paid to the subject oil irrigation
| this A large number OF wells have
| long been in operation in South Dakota
| aud many more IRE being bored every
| wear. There are few years when the
! rainfall ia go evenly distributed through
, ont the season as to makeit Improbable
TO provide artificial moisture. In years
like the present one = becomes ihaispeh-
sable. o.
The cost OF wells is large, but where it
| il borne in commo by all those benent-
| ed it is small compared to the good IL
does. A proposition for bonding a part
| OF Charles Mix county Tor the boring OF
| wells is soon to be voted on, and the
| Edgerton News furnishes the figures
| made by the county surveyor and board
OF viewers on the cost and the apportlon-
| ment of expense to the farms adjacent.
1t is proposed to put down nine wells at
| an estimated cost OF 81 500 each. n
| we'll will benefit seventy quarter sections
| and will cost them 500 each. Another
| will cost 500 to each OF Twenty-Five
| quarter sections. The Others will vary
between the two. The nlbe wells VIII
benefit 464 quarter sections and the town
OF Edgerton. The cost will doubtless be
less than that estimated and the tax will
be paid in annual installments. But
these statistics show the great posi-
bi!ities OF the irrigation plan by artesian
water. A large number OF farms can be
supplied from a Jew wells where they are
located with especial reference to the &C
| commodation vi all the farmers. The
| value OF cooperation IN this work is an
important matter.
But the law under which wells can be
bored at public expense does not satisfy
the needs OF all parts OF the state. In
Beadle county, Tor instance, the board OF
| supervisors has taken the initiative in a
demand for further laws enabling town
ships or counties to put down wells.
They claim that under the present law
some townships are helpless, and there
il need OF q law that will give them greater
powers. Further they ask that credit OF
the state be placed at the disposal of the
artesian well advocates. 1--WE believe"
!, sny these supervisors, that every means
should be exhausted by the state as the
various counties therein, consistent with
the constitution, in providing funds sui
ticient to sink and fnIly equip IA artesian
we'll in every township"
The Washington Springs True Republi-
can approves the idea and urges that in
the selection OF candidates Tor the legis-
laturc the views of the men on this sub
iect should be made known. 1t also
/ hints that it might not be bad policy Tor
the state To utilize the proceeds OF its
school lands in artesian development
which is impracticable. But all this
shows that the people OF South Dakota
are in dead earnest in this matter and
will not stop until something tangible
has been accomplished. 1t isl good year
for the agitation OF the subject.