Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-22
IRRIGATION BOOM.
Kansas is Experiencing one That is Crafty
ing

semi-arid regions of western Kansas
and Nebraska by means OF irrigation
is not settled for all time by the eX-
periments in progress this spring, it
will not be for lack of thorough effort.
A trip over the western and north
western counties of the state reveals
an extent of experiment in irrigation
beyond anything ever known in the
state. In addition to the $50, 900 be-
ing spent by the State Board Of Irri-
cation in testing the possibilities of
artificial water supply, nearly every
neighborhood, from Cheyenne county
as far east as Dickinson and Geary,
within 80 miles of the east line of
the state. has some one at work on an
irrigation plant, many OF these being
extensive and costly. The dry weather
Of the spring and winter has given an
excellent opportunity for testing the
systems to the fullest extent, and
every experiment is being watched
with eager interest by scores Of farm
erS, who are weary OF seeing crop fail
ure after crop failure under the old
system of agriculture. The cOndi-
tionS of to-day make many look upon
irrigation as last resort.
The result is that irrigation is hay-
ing a boom-nOt the kind Of irrigation
that has been practiced by big ditch
companies and SyndicateS, but indi-
vidual plants, operated by One-man
power. and with only windmill to
furnish tho water. Hundreds of mills
have been erected on settlers claims,
in many instances the last possible
mortgage being put upon the claim to
enable the owner to secure the new
improvement. Where the money was
not forthcoming, queer homemade
windmills greet the breeze. They are
Of primitive form, mostly horizontal,
and apparently Kansas and Nebraska
will soon have more than than the s.
600 mills of Holland. In Cawker City,
a little town in northwest Kansas,
tWenty-fOur mills are running night
and day, and keep the lawns in q fair
~ emerald condition.
JUMBO WIND MILLS.
The most interesting, because of it's
unique appearance and it's low cost, is
a crude affair called 4 "iumbO" or
''mogul" wind engine, which is seen
in great numbers beyond the sixth
principal meridian. 1t is shaped like
steamboat paddle wheel, and is 10
to II feet in diameter, on a shaft y to
10 feet long, with or 10 radial arms
Mounted on two posts, horizontally,
with tight board fence built close
around it on four sides, the fence COW
ering only the lower half of the con-
triyance, it is ready for business. 1t
is set east and west, so as to catch the
full strength Of the eYerblOwing south
winds, and has pump at both ends of
the cylinder. A prodigious power can
no. lry1o /, 81,
a 10O-hOrSe-pOWer being secured easily
in a 15-mile wind at a cost of $780, 1t
pnmpS night and day and is moved by
all winds but tWO-due east and due
west. In a storm it simply pumps
faster, and all that is needed to make
1T complete is an ineXhauStible sup
ply of water below it. The long
sweeps of wind unhindered by tree or
wind, makes the work practically I'M
ceaSing, and in connection with the
jumbo, as well as with other windmill
plants of the prairieS, is usually
found it. Not less interesting that
the homemade wind engines are the
homemade reservoirs, with which the
settlers endeayOr TO store up the fugi-
tive rainfall from season to season, so
as to exc out the summers deficient
rainfall with that held over from
spring and winter. The common
method now in use, and which is oper-
ating in scores of western Kansas in
stances, is by the cattle treading SyS-
tenn of t1oor-making. After the teams
and ScraperS have followed out large
cellar-lil1e depression, water is pump
ed in until it is six inches or more
deep. Then horses and cattle are
turned in and driven around and
around until the feet of the tramping
herds has trod up the bottom of the
reservoir into paSty mass that is six
Inches deep, and dries on exposure to
the sun into kind of cement, which
will hold water for several weeks.
These reservoirs are located on knobs
on the highest part of the settlers
claims, and when there is a scarcity of
water from the clouds, the gates are
opened, and the supply thus hOrded
trickleS out over the thirsty lands.
Some of these reservoirs are 100 feet
square, and represent a large amount
Of work, but they will repay it when
pOrperly constructed by the supply OF
water furnished when needed. Into
them the windmillS pump unceaSing-
~ for months, and the foundation fol-
quite creek or prairie river is formed
by the time they are full.
In addition to these artificially-fill
ed reservoirs these is the damming oil
draws and ravines, by which other
ponds are formed and the water held
In allegiance, but these are usually
poorly located, and cannot be so vel
utilized.
THE RICH UNDERTOOK.
Some years ago there were made
some extensive experiments with the
underfiow, but they were abandoned
because of lack of need of them. Now
\ however, their value is being realized
and some interesting results are be
ing obtained. William Rairdon, OF
A Garden City, who is building a new
ditch, has been surprised by the re
4 suit which the undr1ow has given