The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-04-09
He HILL IRRIGATION COMPANY.

enterprise may be seen in the fact that
the ditch will reclaim ten thousand or
more acres of the most fertile soil in
eastern Utah, the land practically sur
rounding the town of Price, owing to
the winding course of the canal, which
closely follows the river. None of the
land reclaimed by this canal is more
than five miles distant from the town
of Price.
Some $4,000 has been expended in
the enterprise, and it is figured $4,000
more will complete the work as origi-
nally planned by the promoters.
From the mouth of Gordon creek,
three and a half miles 10 the river
from the town Of Price, on Price river
where the canal is started, to the o1z
at present contemplated, is a distance
of about fifteen miles, and it is estf-
mated that there are about ten thou
sand acres of land which will be re-
claimed by the waters diverted by this
company. Some of this land is yet open
to entry.
There is a vast quantity of water
yearly permitted to flow into the Gulf
of California by way of Price river
which this enterprise will arrest and
employ in the upbuilding of Castle val
ley. The capabilities of the Castle val
ley Soil are attested by every ranch on
Price river; Castle valley fruit is the
finest in this or any other state, and
the prOductiveness of the soil is simply
marvellous; all sorts of fruits, vege-
tables and grains are raised. and
ready local market is had for every
thing raised. With such an environ
ment, why should not the rancher sue
coed here? Lucern is selling at IS per
ton, and the average yield is three tons
per acre in this valley. With the ex-
tensive freighting and stockraising in
terests of Price, the demand for lucern
has annually increased, until, in late
years, our merchants have found it
necessary to ship in hay for the supply
of their own custom.
With the addition of the rich farms
created by the new canal, it is thought
the local supply of lucern hay will be
sufficient and importations may cease.
There is ample water in Price river
for the reclamation of ten thousand
acres of land in addition to that which
is at present cultivated. Water has
never been known to be scarce until
well into July, after the first crop of lu-
| Germ is harvested. and with water suf-
ficient until that time, two crops of
hay are ensured.
1t is estimated that the cost of SOW
ing lucern and the irrigation for one
! year is $3.50 per acre, so the profits are
apparent to those who take I'D the
| lelIAuS llltGI IIlS CetIlSti WilGl II - SGTH
| that lucern land is not to be purchased
for less than $50 per acre in this vi
entity.
L. NJ. Olson of Price is the president
of the Hills Canal & Irrigation COM
pany, and to his indefatigable DISPOSE
ton is attributed the success of the en-
terprise.
Work was first begun on this canal
by w. j. Hill, now living in Wellington,
and his two sons, in July 1888, when
! the first survey was made ten miles
| from the head of Miller creek, but for
lack Of sufficient capital they were
never able to carry the project to a
successful termination.
| After the water had been turned in
a few days ago, it was the pleasure of
| The Herald representative to go over
the greater portion OF the canal with
an officer of the company. Everywhere
the work done is Of the most substan-
tial character. and it does also show
there has not been a single dollar vast
ed in construction. The huming is of
the best and heaviest of timbers, ard
the dirt and rock filings of the &:ad
that will remain for ages.
With the exception of about three
! fumes and some little scraping on level
land the canal is now completed.