Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-01-17
MORE ABOUT IRRIGATION.


For the Reflector.
In discussing the subject Of irriga-
ton in connection with its adaptibil-
ity to Kansas soil we encounter many
skeptics who take q pessimistic view
| Of the whole business.
Mr.. A. sagely remarks that our soil
is not adapted to irrigation and that
our system Of artificial wetting will
be q failure. The most enlightened
intelligence on this subject are unan-
imous in the opinion that any soil
suited to the reception Of rainfall is
adapted to irrigation. 1t is only a
question Of the proper application Of
water as to time, conditions and
quantity.
Mr.. B. says, "Our crop failures are
due not so much to drouth rs to prev
alence Of hot winds that scald the
pollen and destroy the germ life, and
your substitute for rainfall is no rem.
edy." No such reasons are given for
crop failures at Garden City, in Colo
RADIO, New Mexico, California or arid
India where hot winds are prevalent
and irrigation dominant.
1t is a well established principal in
agriculture that il there is sufficient
moisture for the plant roots to feed
upon and restore evaporation as fast
as it is pumped from the foliage by
the suns hot rays, the plant will not
perish but on the contrary will have
marvellous growth and prolific yield.
Mr.. C. with more show Of reason,
truthfully urges that "you cannot
irrigate without water. You are all
right on the bottom land and along
the creeks where dam may be thrown
across the stream and impound a
million gallons Of water, but upon the
upland there is not sufficient water
for stock needs. How will you man
age in a case like thatP'
There is no question but that in
localities where there is scarcity Of
water the conditions Of irrigation
cannot be met, but as rule all over
the state Of Kansas investigation has
developed an abundant supply in the
underdow; in addition, during some
period Of the twelve months In every
year there is precipitation from the
clouds, sufficient to meet plant wants
II properly distributed.
Providence sends us these rains. 1t
is our duty to store them for distribu-
ton at the proper season as practiced
in arid oriental countries for three
thousand years. In arid Egypt and
Arabia no drop Of water is permitted
to run to waste. II is q duty as
sacred and imperative to store the
surplus water as it is to gather the
crop at harvest time A Catholic
priest veyed at his parlshers for their
prolonged complaint Of crop failures
or the want Of rains answered with
"What did you do with all
he rains you had in the springs, why
lidn't you take care Of themP How
10 you expect to thrive and suffer 50
'auable commodity to run to wastep
four punishment is q just retrbution
or your wasteful indolent ways
Our friend D. who has lost three
rops in succession and feels democrat
zed and impoverished is deferred
rom experimenting on the score Of
Expense. He has an exaggerated idea
1 cost and n minimzed estimate Of '
'rolits, like a Missourian who could >
lot afford to raise hogs on mast and u
manufacture his own bacon because II i
ost 50 much to build q smoke house. J
Mr.. Warner Of Longford has rude y
hahn pump plant Of his own con- >
tructlon that cost just Sl5 outside OF y
il omn n hon anI "a ennnuI hand "