Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-02-02

b
Garden City has long been the cente
of irrigation in the semi-arid west Q
of Kansas. The Arkansas river, flowin
with an average descent of seven feet t,
the mile, which afforded an excellen
source of water supply for irrigation
the earliest settlers tapped with small
bitches to supply water for their singl,
farms; this proving successful, led t
the formation of companies, and from
1885 many canals were constructed
varying from few miles to nearly 10(
miles in length, to irrigate not only the
valley lands, but to carry water to thu
highlands.
About the time of the completion O
these canals so much water was being
taken from the. river by the Colorado ir.
rigators, to fill their new canals between
the west state line and the Rocky noun.
tains, that the Arkansas became prac-
tically dry in Kansas during the season
when water was most needed for the
crops The farmers, being deprived of
the necessary water, were forced to seek
other sources of supply, which they
found in the much talked-of "under-
fow," said by the best authorities to be
not only accessible, but sufficient to ir-
rigate the whole Arkansas valley, and
ten acres in each quarter section of the
uplands in western Kansas. It was a
simple proposition that this unused sun
derf1ow" could be raised to the surface
by the power of the useless prairie
winds. So the neglected wind power
was harnessed to windmills and pumps
of all kinds, raising the inexhaustible
water from quickly made and cheap
drive wells from ten to thirty feet deep.
But as the winds even here do not blow
all the time, and the water direct from
the wells was found too cold for the
plants, resort was had to constructing
reservoirs to store the water and raise
it's temperature.
At the present time there are about
100 reservoirs irrigated farms of various
sizes successfully operated in the vicini-
ty of Garden City, and more constantly
in preparation, and it is confidently pre-
dicted that by the present copying of
these examples of wind-reservoir irriga-
ton, that is spreading in every direc-
ion, in very few years the arid prairie
Will blossom in new era of beauty and
treeless bleaked homes
Ind canned goods" be changed to
shady bowers with fresh vegetables; for
he soil with water is wonderfully pro-
luctive, the air superb, the climate a
iellght, and the country itself within
he 'best sanitary region in the world :"
Some unknown benefactor invited and
made from old lumber what is generally |
,nown as the Jumbo" windmill, |
hough in some sections known as the |
'Dutchman, "Overshot, and 60
Devil" 1t is simple home made con-
rivance. Four posts are planted in the
round, then covered or boxed in with |
'oards. An axle with from four to eight !
pokes fastened to it, with paddles gem
rally made of wood nailed on the end /
# the spokes like steamboats, paddle |
Wheel, is set on the box east and west to
atch the prevailing south and north |
Winds. A crank on one or both ends /
works the pump or pumps. The box
hlelds the lower part of the wheel,
While the top is fully exposed to the
Tlnd, and from its spinning round with
kind of a comical merriment in a good
tiff south "prairie zephyr" it has prob
bly, earned the name of "Go-devil."
t is built in all sizes, and being cheap
nd homemade, has been multiplied by
he hundred, and is doing efficient SER
ice IN pasture, at reservoirs, at farm
ouses, and to irrigate small gardens at
mall homes. 1t is not as reliable for
ontinuous work as the standard mill.
eng fixed in position for the prevail
ng winds. If one Jumbo don't do the
esired work, it is easy to make one or
wo more to help.
In district of six by twelve miles
orthwest of Fowler and north of Meade
ENTER, in Meade county, flow of arte-
ian water has been found, which is be-
1g rapidly developed with the happiest
esults. Enormous crops are being
alsed wherever the flowing sparkling
'ater is utilized. Mr. Wick, for instanc,
alsed 800 bushels of Spanish onions last
ear on single acre, and cut fifty-five
ons of alfalfa from five acres. Accounts
what was raised per acre by a Mr..
low, an English gardiner derived from
sveral credible sources, are Sc enormous
lat the writer does not dare to mention
hat he heard, being unable to verify
hat has been given to him for "hard
'cts that would seem down east incred-
'le. There are at the present time in
he district about 500 acres under irriga-
on by artesian water. The artesian
strict is small, amounting to not more
ian about seventy-two miles square.
Their districts may be found by gov
'nment survey. Still, the TACT remains 7
that the chief Dependence !,
agriculture in the arid west is irriga- ,
ON by wind by compelling the almost
powerful prairie winds to go
work and raise the present useless
ldertow to the surface.