The Globe-republican., 1895-05-31
KANSAS IRRIGATION WORK
Discussed By Leading IrrigatiOnists
Of the State.

gerald of Ford county looks for marvel
Gus results from the irrigation expert
ments now In progress in Western Kan
sas. says the legislative apprOpria-
ton of $4,000 will be of great value in
the development of the underfiow. but
that the experiments inaugurated by
private enterprise will be more far-reach-
ing and even more practical in their bell
efits. The people are resorting to all
manner of machinery to pump water TO
the surface. and natural gravity does the
rest. Everywhere in Western Kansas
the wind has been arnessed-windmilis
of primitive form, horizontal, vertical OF
vertical geared. Steam pumps, sas en-
gines. hydraulic rams. pumps driven by
animal power. in fact all the known de-
vices for lifting water are now having
experimental tests, and from these valu-
able data Of the comparative cost and
efficacy of these different motors will be
obtained.
"A uldCIlulC "liith SlIlhCs NIL
aid as the cheapest for the poor man, if
not the best temporary arrangement for
experimental purposes is called the
Jumbo 1t appeared in Western Kan
sas about twelve years ago and is now
coming into extensive use. Its case of
construction, economy. capacity. power
and simplicity seem to recommend it TO
all who observe its work. 1t resembles 5
the paddlewheel Of /; sternwlieel boat;
shaft II or l. feet long, diameter II or l6
feet, six or eight radial arms. The lower
half of this horizontal wheel is shielded
from the wind. so that the air acts only
upon the upper vanes. \ cra.lk at one
end of the shaft connects with a pump.
A, ,"Jumbo" giving lO0-horse power in a
fifteen mile wind can be constructed at a
cost of $500. The wind acts upon the
paddlew wheel from all points of the COM
pass except two. No governor" is re
quired; a storm simply increases the
machines power. No tower is required
and it is placed so that the radial arms
will clear the ground.
Mr.. Fitzgerald believes that the legis-
iative appropriation has stimulated
private enterprise to greater activity, has
proved to the settlers that the people Of
the eastern part of the state are in
sympathy with them and that they will
help them to make the western half of
the state fertile and fruitful and the ex-
perimental stations will be schools of in
structiOn.
rigation commission, believes that the
Legislature in granting the appropriation
of 10000 little rs it is, has made be-
ginning that will result in the redemp-
tiOn OF the western plains of the state.
1.-The legislature has done the right
thing" he said recently to the cores
pOndent of the Star. ave are now going
TO subdue that country out there, to make
it bloom, to blossom and to bear fruit.
~ hhS oCSu
that 4 great body of pure soft water un-
derlies very large portion of the west
ernly half of the state; bounden on the
north by Nebraska. Oh the west by Colo
RADIO, on the south by Oklahoma and on
the east by an irregular line about the 80
meridian. This body of water has of
late Years been known as the uuderfiow.
ltsquantity is practically ineXhaustible.
Between the easternly line Of this under
is greater than the west of it. The sub
soil is different and the amount of water
which runs off into the water courses
and is lost is very considerable. In adj
dition, nearly all of the streams within
the territory have independent underflOw
which yield enormous quantities of
water. These people have without as
sistance from the state, and with very
little from the general government. been
for years investigating these natural con-
ditions and have arrived ut the conclus-
ion that there is sufficient water for the
irrigation of all the bottom lands in this
territory. and for large proportion of
the upland.
The main purposes to be attained by
the commission are: First.Ea practical
test of the water supply on the uplands of
Western Kansas for irrigation purposes.
to demonstrate the best method of rails
ing the water to the surface and storing
it.Rnd To ascertain the quantity of the
same: to make measurements and ex-
perlments to determine thei quality of
water flowing annually in the streams :
the amount of run-off or surface wafer
and the practicablity of storing the same
for irrigation purposes. and the probable
cost per acre for applying such water to
the land; TO prepare 4 typographical
map of the territory: to ascertain the
rainfall. evaporation and percolation. IN