The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-04-19

level PRAIRIE Uch loan soil, no haTd-pan. IN
der tine entire county lies an inexhaustibie sup
ply of water. Ten per cent of the area, or about
10000 acres, lie within so feet OF less from this
sheet water.
The first requisite for successful irrigation is
the supply of water. We, in Sherman county,
feel that we have tested that question to our
satisfaction. On the TOWNSHIP of GOodland.
3,lGO feet above sea level, and u miles from the
nearest running stream, On 100 acres OF land,
pumps arc running that furnish 500 gallons of
water per minute, or $1,000 gallons per hour,
which means over one inch Of water for % acres
every q hours, and we find no diminution in the
supply after continuous pumping for several
years. One six-inch tubular well at the city
water works has a capacity of 1909 gallons per
hour, two other wells, four inches in diameter,
within 10 feet of the six-inch well, furnish 1900
gallons per hour. With. the above showing, We
feel satisfied regarding the supply. I am fur
Their convinced that the problem of irrigation by
pumping, from a depth of 50 feet, is an assured
success. / cite you the wonderful progress made
by the people of Garden City and vicinity; also
to parts Of Nebraska, besides to many places in
numbers of our western counties, all done by
pumping, and using the windmill for power.
As large part Of Sherman county lies above
30 feet in depth to water, the problem to be sol
we'd is, can we successfully lift the water to en-
able US to irrigate and compete with the rain
belt. or more favored sections of country7 We
find people moving to the western deserts onto
lands covered with sage brush and alkali, pay
ezhOrbitant water rights, putting up with many
inconvenience, long distances from markets,
andyet, after ali, making success. Why? Be
cause Of irrigation. Through that means they
are enabled to raise more per acre, of better
quality, than the farmer within the rain belt.
They till less land and become better citizens
socially by living in closer communities.
But why leave Kansas for the deserts7 We
have millions OF acres of better soil all the CON
yeniences of civilization. water within easy
reach only waiting TO be placed on the soil BY
the windmill and pump. Through that means
the farmer is independent of exhorbitant water
taxes he Is within easy reach of the markets
both east and west Now can we solve the prob
lem Of irrigation on the higher lands? 1t is an
assured success up to 80 feet today. How short
the time since crOakers said it was impossible
to iFrigate at any depth by means O!
pump and windmill? May we not look for
ward with hopes of success to the near future
when the mind of man will give US wind en-.
CINE to lift the water at 1OOfoot depth as easy
it is today at 50fOot depth? We must utilize
the wind power that blows across the prairies OF
western Kansas; we must harness that great
power, through the agency Of the windmill, con
meet it with the great supply Of water beneath
then with the four great factors, wind. water
soil and brains, the problem of successful irriga
ton in western Kansas will be solved.
l am confident thai the mind of man will give
us the pump and windmill for deep pumping
when the demand arises The mind of man ha.
never failed yet when a necessity required. The
demand is here, and today the great factorie.
are sending out men to study the requirement.
of the windmill for deep pumping Someon,
| has suggested the gasoline or steam engine
That power is too costly for the average farmer
settled on tho frontier of our state. You mus
give him cheaper power; you must give him
the possibility of irrigation by pumping ha
| opened a way out for my people. they have no
| been idle the past season. There are today
built and building, $50 reservoirs in Sherman
| county for irTigating purposes; one year agt
there were none, 4 Mr.. Hunter has a 10-foO
windmill, p. inch cylinder ii inch pipe; tn
plant when erected, was intended for pumping
water for stock and domestic purposes; tn
depth to water is 14G feet. The past season h
fwatered Is head of stock and irrigated gardel
patch of One-fOurth of an acre, realizing iron
the latter So. \ Mr.. Butts, another farme
having a similar plant, and only intended whe
erected to supply stock water, besides waterin
81 head of stock, also irrigated one-half of a
acre of garden, from which he realized S92, TIA
depth to water being 1S5 feet. only give 20
these instances to show that what has been don
on It small scale can be done on a large scale.
/ The county commissioners of Sherman count
placed a windmill plant in the court yard thi
last season; the well is a finch tubular, til
depth 100 feet Two acres were irrigated an
the windlill laid idle three-fcurths of the tim
for want Of reservoir room, the reservoir bein
too small for the capacity of the plant. Thi
plant, We estimate, viii irrigate eight acre
The windmill is Is feet, 1t has filed the rese
voir, which holds 10000 gallons in two and ont
half days. could give instances of the succe.
OF several farmers in Sherman county the pa.
season who have irrigated, by pumping. for Il
first time.
Major Powell says that per cent Of westeI
Kansas can be irrigated. He says that pi
cent under irrigation viii give US the dense
populated part of Kansas. am confident, Wit
my knowledge of the water supply aud soil
Sherman county, that % per cent can be irrig
ted If so, then what grand future awaits Il
teller of western Kansas and especially She
man county