The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-01-16
COWS RNMaNT IRRIGA ION.

great import to the American p ople-
that of developing the desert regions OF
the West at the exp 4nse OF the Ameri-
can people. Il same first, we believe,
AZ a recommendation fl ON Mel Powell.
of the Coast and Geodesic ; urveY, and
was regarded with a jealous eye by
l. aiding agriculturists who toresaw
j bbery, and further discouraging com
petition in the near future from the
hasGV marketing Of vast areas Of the
public domain, which should be held
back a hundred years or more before
being given up to settlement Ali the
more should this projected move be
put eff until the land is really needed
because it will require ar expenditure
of millions, perhaps billions, Of public
treasure to bring the land into useful
Dese. Batter let the land lie arid and
settle other problems in this genera
ton.
The land system OF the United States
should n0w be modified, land subsidies
Withdrawn and the government set
resolu6ely to hold the remnants OF It's
great landed estates for future genera
tions to spread cut upon when the
present farming lands ehall have been
more fully occupied. Then, and not
till then, will be the time to make great
public irTjgating works to reclaim the
arid alkali deserts. Tue fact thas it is
ad mitted and believed to be feasible,
and also that great profit and credit
for Undertaking a great work with
years of profitable employment ia sut~
fl len5 inducenaent for many able men
to spouse the cause and raise their
voices to secure Congressional action
to irrigate the great alkali Rree9 and
turn them over to settlement 20 whom
soever will come and take up land.
There are good sound reasons why it
is best for the nation to move slower
in this matter than the advocates, who
have now grown numerous and strong,
would have C0nRress do.
The great efforts to develop the
prairIes Of the West have built a vast
empire which is creditable and justifes
the action Of Congress in it's very lib
eral policy. But there must necessarily
be an end to this course The land
will all be gone SOC enough if the
policy is changed SO as to carry out the
policy of the greatest good to the great
est number Of citiz ms. The vest pub
lie domain Of wild land capable of cul
Civation without the aid Of irrigation
has now basn largely exploited. The
stored wealth OF fertility of centuries
hiss been tapped and thrown into mar
kegsble form by means Of new easier
channels OF transportation than the
world ever kneW before, Thee CON-
bined forces hGva wrought a great
revolution in many things, but with
the American agEiculturisls it has baen
a severe, almost ovetPoweriDe c0npe-
ti.ion. In most cases, We believe, the
pionears who have grown the immense
crops have been IN the hands O. capt.
alists, warehouse men end trapeporta-
on companies who ha7 managed 10
absorb the Inns share o. the values
taken out OF the stored fertility. I. has
not been produced, only brought into
use and exhausted.
The time is soon coming when m9Te
IF thase great areas already robbed OF
enc richest, first fruits OF their wealth
muat be formed with a view to retaiU-
Jag fertility In older SECTIONS. This
change to ward in5eDse Culture a and
should occupy the attention of the
boomers for the next generation. Tney
will hnd ample outlet for their ener-
gies. This would leave the arid region
free from depreciation. 1t has been
cut IF from cultivation by obedience
to natural laws. 1t should stay es it
is until really needed aud then is time
for the government to erect great irri-
works to open up this area, vast
IN itself, but small compared with the
richer lands already opened to settle
met and invite the descendants Of the
present generation to boone tenants
thereon, st fixed rents.
There is even now a powerful lobby
OF Governors OF States and Territories.
with lesseF men and spectators age
lY pressing for authority to begin irri-i
CATION on an immense scale-indaed
the work has bsRun. Surveys have
been made and the funds are wanted (
TO puah this work Of ooening what
should remain cicssd for q hundred /
ears.
II the people would heve this do
main remain ~undeveloped "a it ehould.
10 ZINE to rouse up add demand If
representatives. ia Congress hat this
move b. deferred. Do not stop with