The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1895-10-12

South Dakota is all right now and
with future the graDdeurof which will
be a surprise to even her most hopeful |
always been right and artesian irriga-
tion now quite beyond the experimental
stage, is making the great central
valleys veritable gardens. tho fertility
and productiyeness of which is unrlv-
allied on the continent. We are at the
beginning of that future grandeur to-
day.-Gary Inter state.
Quite so. Yet six or seven years ago
the facts which led to the penning OF the
above article, and minor irrigation talk,
were thought silly, impracticable and
absurd, and it has not been long since
the scribes of this commonwealth have
turned their attention to this important
subject Of irrigation; and even now a
great number of our exchanges turn a
deaf ear on this matter. Whether, in
their opinions, the subject is of too
subordinate nature, or they think
it unnecessary, we are unable to say.
However, the pushing of this matter does
not seem to us can end with any unde
sirable results; and surely the fact that
this state-lhe greater part Of it, at
least,-ls seriously in need Of moisture,
does not lessen the worth of this state
in the estimation Of the general public
not al least when the needed moisture
is so close at hand. 1t ought to be quite
the reverse.
The simple fact that the tillers of the
soil in several of the western states.
where irrigation is entirely depended
upon, could not be induced to farm
where they had to place their sole de-
pendance upon the natural amount of
rainfall, should be sufficient evidence of
the inevitable grand results which will
follow tho successful experiments made
| in the past year.
Why isn't the land which has to be
irrigated Gf it contains the fertility
before profitable results can be obtained
in agricultural pursuits, as good as
eastern lands that have to be drained
before cultivation is possible--bY no
means an inexpensive operati0n-and
some OF which cannot then be bought
for love nor money? 1t can consclen-
tiouslY be said that they are, and even
better. For the low lands Of the eastern
states, before tiling is put In, are worth
less, while for grazing purposes the raw
prairies of this state cannot be eXcelled
by any country in the world. You may
say ii this be all true. why is not irriga-
. ton advancing with more rapidity:
The answer to this is very simple. Tht
. fact of the matter is: the farmers in tht
= arid sections are minus the wherewitl
: to put dewn these artesian wells and thu
= land is so cheap that not a sufficien
amount can be borrowed on it to drill
the wells; while on the other hand, thos
farmers who have the means (speaklns
:, for this section) are the ones who al
: ready have the wells and, ii not, ar
!, making strenuous efforts to get then
put down as soon as possible.
- Again, would it not be good invest
ment for capitalist to loan money OF
these farms-a sufficient amount ON eac
;, quarter section to put in small lrri
;s CATION plant? A quarter section of Ian
;, which can be bought from 500 t
+ s1,5oo, according to improvements
Il would be quadruped in value with sue
;, plant. And the farmers could afford
= pay such rate of interest as would max
:, 1t profitable investment for the capi
: talists. This will eventually come, ant
!, now that irrigation here is demon
Ia strated success, and operated at muc
= less expense than most other places, lie
- each person appoint himself to promul
:, gate the wonderful results Of this occu
:, patton and it will not be long ere east
:, ern capital and homeseekers apprehen
"a the profitable investments offered b
,e this country of unequaled possibilities
40 We are indeed at the beginning of tina
g future Of grandeur today.