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


columns from the pen OF Prof. William
Reeee of Fails City. Neb.. on the ir-
rgation question. is one that shows
the possibilities Of the future for Ne
Osaska when under intelligent and
careful management the waters Of our
state are held and utilized. This utili-
zation Of waters now going to waste
viii not only materially modify the
intense hsat CT the summer season, but
these pools. lakes and reservoirs can
be used to produce great quantities Of
fish.
-Four miles north Of the city of North
Platte is situated the fish farm of
Isaac Lampaugh. This gentleman has
about five acres which are used for
the growing OF fish. the stock being
mostly German carp. During the
spring, summer and fall he brings a
supply of fish to market and places
them in a wooden tank containing
fresh water. From this tank the fish
are sold direct to customers. tits safe
to assert that there is not another FIVE
acres that produces a greater income
for the annual outlay. These reser-
voirs can be constructed in thousands
of localities in Nebraska and not only
will the family be insured a supply of
food from the waters bnt the change
in the atmosphere that Prof. Reece
predicts viii be effected. In proof
Of the correctness of his state
ments I have noticed the hot winds
commencing to blow from the south
in a season when the upland lakes of
western Nebraska were filed with
water and at time when vegetation
was in good growing condition, and
had been supplied by ample rains with
sufficient moisture to enable it TO evap-
crate this moisture rapidly through
the pores of the plants in response to
the demand made by the hot winds.
This wind would blow for few hours
and then clouds would form rapidly, a
thunder storm would ensue, and in
stead of injury being received from
the hot winds, benefit would result and
the air would be cooled. l have seen
this result occur a great number of
times, and the same result has been
observed by thousands of our people
who reside in the western part of the
state, On the contrary when there is
no source from which moisture can be
obtained and the hot winds start and
blow without coming in contact with
anything but dry and heated surface,
it necessarily goes on increasing in
force and intensity, with the result
that vegetation is blasted and scorched.
It's growth where there is not sufficient
water supply at its roots is greatly in
jured or retarded, but if Nebraska
people will store the waters now going
to waste on the way to the gulf on
their lands, as Prof. Reece has sug-
gested, it will become to them a source
of profit in the cultivation of fish, in
furnishing them with supply of ice
for summer use, in reserving for a con
tingency in Gaze of dry summer, of
supply of water for irrigating these
lands, besides affordipg the farmer
the opportunity of creating a small
park for recreation. purposes on the
place for his family.
1t is surprising how small a body of
water will create a change in the at
mosphere. While engaged in haying
in the summer OF 1873, we were cut
ting and loading our grass on the
north side of a small creek called Ere
mont slough, opposite the town of
North Platte. This stream is about
rod in width. A hot wind was blow
ing from the south, and my neighbour,
c. L. Blake. a retired officer of the C..
5. naval academy of Annapolis, Md,
who was known for his scientific at
tainments and had settled in our cOun-
try for mis- health. remarked: Fort
do you notice the difference in the at
mOsphere on this side of the creek and
on the south side?" And although l
had noticed a difference | would not
have commented upon it, probably my
harder frame and organization pre-
vented my observing the slight differ
ence. but since that date l have often
observed this condition.
The theories advanced by Mr.. Reece
are being demonstrated as practical
every year in Nebraska. Mr., VIM. M.
TOwman's comments Iare of the same
character. and many practical benefits
can come by carrying out these ideas
in practical manner.
]. A. Fort.