The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-03-01
between wind and water.

N@S PSOPAc ASSluluE upon mucn OF
the semi-arid land Of the United States
find themselves literally in the con-
dition described by the above caption,
and it may prove lucky fact for them
if they but employ their intelligence
making the wind above their heads
lift the water from beneath their feet,
and employ the latter in irrigating
their rich but thirsty lands.
ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF WATER
Under millions of acres of the finest
land in the world, in tracts of various
sizes, generally very large, scattered
all over arid America, there exists an
abundant supply of water, within such
depths that it may be hoisted to the
surface by various appliances, and used
for irrigation purposes. Constantly
drifting above the same lands are
mighty currents Of another and lighter
fluid, and in these currents go to waste
every hour untold units of power,
power which is simply aching to do
something, and, is devoid of useful oc-
cupation, as we are assured by the
poet,
1T doant no what on airth to dew with itself,
but hys about,
Scaterin' leaves and bloin of mems hats
and doing much more serious deyiltry
at times.
UNLIMITED WIND POWER.
Manifestly the proper thing to be
done is to harness the forces of these
mighty air currents and put them to
work, bringing to the land water to
replace that which they have so long
and SO industriously been carrying
away
Some genius of a speculative, as well
as mathematical, turn has figured out
how many thousand horsepower go to
waste e ,ery day in the average wind
which blows over the average quarter
section of land upon the great plains.
We do not just now recall the exact
figures, nor is it necessary. Suffice it
to say, there is enough. In fact, the
quantity runs well up into big figures,
KANSAS ENTERPRISE.
Already the Importance of utilizing
3 fraction of these vast forces in lifting
subterranean water to the,surface for
irrigation purposes is obtaining sub
stantial recognition in a number Of
localities in California, New Mexico,
Kansas and elsewhere. This is nota-
bly, true of the Arkansas valley in
western Kansas, where, in the vicinity
Of Garden City, an extensive and valu-
able experience has already been ac-
quired by the settlers in the matter of
utilizing wind power for hosting water
for irrigation purposes. Some of the
pumping plants have been in operation
for upward of FIVE years and have
given so satisfactory results through
out that great many similar plants
have been installed the past and cur
rent seasons, and the practice of W nd
mill pumping for irrigation is spread
ing very rap ~. Garden City mas
been the progenitor of much that is
valuable to the progress of irrigation,
and probably of nothing that has been,
or promises to be, of more immediate
ana practical value than the successful
inauguration of the practice of irri-
cation by pumping in the semi-arid re-
gion.
For some time past the people of
other localities have been taking note
of the success gained in this way at
Garden City, and following the eX-
ample set by the enterprising people
there. During last fall many people
from other portions of the country
have gone singly and IN companies, to
inspect and study the pump. ng install
1ations in that locality. Wlndmlu
manufacturers, with an eye to bust
ness, have had experts on the ground
for weeks gathering facts and ideas
for their guidance in taking advantage
of the demand for wind engines which
they anticipate. Parties of farmers
from distances of upward of a hundred
miles have travelled across the coun-
try by team to spend few days among
the pumps and reservoirs AMI take
notes for use in their own neighbor-
hood and last fall a party of fifty
from northwest Kansas chartered a
passenger ear and so made a pilgrim
age to this center of practical irriga-
ton, where they were handsomely en-
tertained and given all the informa-
ton at the command OF the people of
the city aud vicinity.
1-7IE DO A rrfCrr EvTE,rDrcr
While the conditions are such in the
Arkansas valley as to render irriga-
ton by the use Of windmills peculiarly
valuable and easily secured, because
of the slight lift required, the cheap
ness of wells and abundance of water,
get the practice is spreading rapidly
to higher lands and to localities where
much more costly installations viii be
required, yet where they will be made
Of very great practical value
1t may easily be shown that irriga-
lion, by this means, Is really expensive
and not economical, from a theoreti-
cal standpoint, 1t may be shown that
the cost per acre per year of Installing
and maintaining windmill pumping
plant is greater than the cost Of irriga-
ton by various other means: but the
method is practical aud valuable Eor
several reasons.
Az INDEPENDENT WATER SUPPLY.
Il iswithin the means and immediate
reach OF the Individual. The farmer
who realizes the necessity ndvalue of
irrigation and has the courage to ltu-
eertake things need not wait upon the
advent Of ditch company nor the
cooperation Of his less enterprising
aeighhors, but may successfully set MP
n business !or himself without delay.
Furthermore he may have al indie
sneens water supply, secure from the
isoyancss incident 70 leaking dams
asses; 0sst sseadgatss, quarreiiing over
: se slv1slsa q a seantg supply aud
issndged ond one unpleasant feat-
z1sss gsicsg nay attend securing Wa:er