Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-04-25
IRRIGATION.
A GOOD TURNOUT.
Some sound Sense Said.

county were entertained by a number
Of lrrigationists who told much of its
benefits, and gave those in attendance
a good idea Of what the people OF this
county might expect il they changed
their methods of farming. The geo
logical surveys show that this county
ia on the east edge of what IS known
as the underAow region, and that but
little, If any, water can be obtained
from that source. Our people how
ever think that these biologists are
mistaken, and data is now being col
lected by Mr.. VanCleave to show that
good wells are abundant in all parts
OF the county.
The meeting was called to order by
r.. A. Handy, chairman, who intro
duced Judge j. s, Emery Of Law
renee. The judge Is an old timer on
this subject, he has talked OF it, wrote
of it, and dreamed Of it, Has like
many other progressive men been
sneered at and had his statements
turned to much ridicule, but has liv-
cd to ee our great state az propriate
money for practical tests. The judge
is very interesting talker, and gave
us much to think about,
Messrs Sutton, Frost and Tomblin,
of the state irrigation commission
were with us also, aud made short ad-
dresses. This WAS the first appear
ance of the com missioners in the role
of orators, but they talked as men do
who know what they are saying.
Mr.. Sutton urged the people to
quit wheat raising, as the farmer of
Kansas could not compete with the
cheap labor Of Europe. He told that
he had traced the vegetables, pota-
toes and cabbage that were sold in
his county, to the place of growth,
aud believed that of the $4,000 dol
lars worth sold there, nine-tenths of
1t was raised on irrigated lands some
where else. Stop thie, irrigate and
raise these things at home He ad-
vised deep blowing, aud dsming of
draws, hold the water we get, and
note the change.
Mr.. Tomblin next interested the
people, and as we will have more to
say OF his address next week, will
hold comments until then.
Judge D, M. Frost of Garden City,
who has The largest irrigation pump
10 the world run by wind power was
the Lext speaker. He talked Of sub
soiling, and draw daming as the great
hope of this section. Told of lands
ia the southwest part Of the state,
that under sub soiling, were raising
good crops, while nelghborlng fields
were bare. The judge owns u plant
OF twenty acres from which he gather
ed $4,000 worth of crops. Some OF
the yields were 10000 pounds of cab
bqge to an acre OF ground, He has
GA his place reservoir 100 feet
square, five feet deep, that is supple
by q pump that delivers ovor II 800
gallons of water per hour. The
Judge answered many questions, and
promised to answer any questions
chat might be asked him by letter.
Tho drift OF the addresses was sub
soil blowing, draw damlng, and or
ganlzatlon of the people into cubs
for the purpose Of thoroughly discus
snug lDSnO NluVoblOho'
The hail WIS we'll filed and many
questions answered by the speakers
They did not give us much encourage
ment in their geological talks, but
many of our people think their
sources of information to be at fault.
This is the first county meeting, and
others will be held. We have in our
own county men who have and are
now at work, in this line, among them
being w. A. Reeder of Logan, who
promises to come over at any time,
and tell of his work. There are
others, Messrs. Wright and Baker Of
Marvin, and Fredericks of this city,
who working under the conditions as
found here could tell much of inter-
est. Almost every one can find spare
time to build dams; read up on this
subject, for there is Alright aud wrong
way to make them. Sub soil plows
perhaps can be obtained here. though
none are just now advertised for sale
by our merchants. They cost about
S11 90. The work Of retaining the