Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-08-01
old IRRIGATION" AGAIN.
He Comes to the Front Witha Timely
Contribution.

face to face with conditions of aridity,
hot winds and crop shortage, that re-
call wildly the disastrous seasons Of
1860, 1874 and subsequent years, and
emphasize now as then the necessity
OF artificial aid in the distribution OF
moisture, ii we would have reliable
and satisfactory results from crop
returns.
In memory OF the unmerciful JOSH
ings melted out to the advocates OF
irrigation in recent seasons Of favora-
BILE conditions and excessive rainfall
that threatened to develop a species
OF web.footel bipeds we trust that
our friends will not be severely crit.
ical il we take advantage Of the pres.
ent atmospheric status to score a few
innings by way Of reprisal and to even
things up generally.
The spasmodic, incomplete and un-
satisfactory efforts at irrigation dur
inc periods Of drouth in the last dec
ade and the prompt abandonment of
such effort on the first indications OF
rainfall, is proof conclusive that the
people of central Kansas have no rel
ish for a persistent and systematic
movement along those lines, such as
is practiced in the more arid regions
Of the west, where irrigation is an
absolute necessity and where condi-
tons make it case OF "Root, hog or
die"
We are forced to the conclusion
that our people would rather trust
their crops to the lottery of atmos-
pheric change, accept what they can
get and be satisfied, or develop into a
knocker with this evident reluctance
to adopt a system Of intense farming.
1t is manifest that il we are to. have
increased humidity in central Kansas
it must be brought about by some
other method than that Of individual
effort through the medium OF pump
or diverted stream, presumably by a
change and betterment in climatic
conditions. Can such change be
accomplished and howP We answer
unhesitatingly, Yes, by the conserva-
ton of storm waters through 4 sys-
TEN of artificial lakes, storage reser-
voirs, catch basins, dams and ponds,
as outlined by Elwood Mead, Major
Powell, officials OF the coast and geo.
detic survey and other eminent
civil engineers, advocates for the re-
clamation OF the arid west.
When the general government shall
take the matter Of reclamation well
in hand (as it will in the near future)
complete the system Of segregation SO
auspiciously begun, and construct the
necessary reservoirs throughout the
vast area bounded by British Ameri.
ca, Old Mexico, Oregon and the sixth
principal meridian, it will yield a
superficial area Of surface water
exceeding that of. the entire
chain OF northern lakes COM
bined; with such an expanse OF
area for evaporation, precipitation
and increased rainfall is inevitable.
1t is computed that in this vast
territory there are more than 1907
900, 900 acres Of barren arid land that
can be transformed into ideal farms
and ideal homes for more than 3d.
100000 people. Public sentiment is
rapidly crystalizing into the belief
that it is wise craftsmanship for the
entire nation, and the duty OF the
general government to reclaim this
arid land as rapidly as possible. And
now that we have a senator who has
the ability to present and the nerve
to demand Of congress recognition
OF western rights; senator who will
stand shoulder to shoulder, "cheek
by iowl" with the Carriers Of the U. ).
senate, to arrest and divert toa better
use the extravagant and wastsful ap-
preparations for the protection Of
the lower Mississippi plantations
under the guise Of "river and harbor
improvements, we may hope for a
speedy iruition Of this wisely conceiv-
ed design for development. "'Tis a
contamination devoutly to be wished. "
While we sincerely believe that 1t
is possible under the reclamation to
increase the guage Of rainfall and
minimize the hazard OF farming in
central Kansas, we abate no jot or
little Of our declaration that it is econ
omy and to the best interest Of every
farmer to have a plant Of sufficient
oanoo;ty IN irrirata hie nrnbard and