The record-union., 1898-10-22
INTENSIFIED FARMING.
IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULT-
URAL OPPORTUNITIES.
Large Section Of Country Which
Would be Benefited by
Irrigation.

Especial Correspondence Record -Union.)
Eds. Record-Union": Since the APP
pearance of my communication, Needs
Development, in the Record Union"
of August Both, l find many others
have written and thought on the sub
ject cf our retarded development
through lack of irrigation facilities
Even Eastern papers are mentioning
the widespread need of a complete ir-
rigation system on the arid plains west
of the Missouri River. One or more
of our political parties has given the
subject place in their platform, and
has pledged itself to endeavor to secure
national aid in building an elaborate
system Of reservoirs and bitches for
irrigation purposes.
The naturalization of our artificial
waterways and reservoirs, as well as
our natural streams and lakes, is to be
hoped and worked for. We have set
around whining for years for capitalists
to take up this work. They have not
seen fit to turn their attention to this
part of the State. Let US not now wait
decade for Uncle Sam to come to our
rescue. While our Representatives are
getting things in trim for grand nat
ural system of irrigation let US try to
do something for ourselves.
A large portion Of the counties OF
Amador, Sacramento and San Joaquin
would be benefited by the system men
toned In the above named article. A
joint stock association could be organ
lied with few energetic men Of ex-
ecutive ability for directors or manag-
ers. Almost every one who would be
benefited by this Improvement would
be willing to subscribe for stock, and
as large part Of the cost of the system
would be for the work of construction
or material for the same, many would
be willing to labor or furnish material
and take stock in payment. I have no
doubt that by following this plan the
work could be done with a compara-
lively small outlay of actual cash.
A company to carry through this
work could organize with a capital
stock of, say 100000. 1t is worth
thinking about, and working for, and
would be far better for the community
and State than for capitalists to own
and operate the system, for in almost
all instances the users Of the water
would be stockholders and would both
bear the burdens and share the bene-
fits. Other stockholders not engaged
in farming would be interested in a
business way in the we'll being of the
community, and would reap profits,
both direct and indirect, from the en-
hanced prosperity brought about by
complete irrigation system.
Every citizen is interested in the de-
velopment Of our industries, for what
helps one helps all, and should be will
ing to further this enterprise to the
extent of his or her ability. The coun-
try at large needs it, and our towns
need it-Sacramento, as we'll as others.
In all towns we find trade dull and
property deprecated in value and men
out of employment. Mining as lead
ing industry is a thing of the past 1t
once nearly balanced our industries.
Sacramento's car shops cannot give
employment to all who seek it.
We need diversified industries to
make Us a prosperous people. Grain
and certain amount of fruit and wine.
With car shops, breweries and a little
mining cannot make us prosperous. We
need an enlarged agriculture-grain
fruit and vegetables, with dairies and
creameries; clover and alfalfa fields,
with dairy, cattle and creameries: su-
gar beet fields, with a beet sugar fac
tory. These and attendant industries.
which go with intensified agriculture,
with industries we already have, will
give us a balanced system of industry.
The products of one branch will be con-
sumed by other branches, and all will
be prosperous, and, consequently,
happy.
All this will come with a complete
system of irrigation, which can be ours
by exerting ourselves. OBSERVER.
Plymouth Cal October 17th