Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1901-01-31
Drainage In the Red River Valley.

Drainage In the Red River Valley.
The SuEAF devotes considerable
space this week to the report of the
Drainage Convention at Crookston.
This is matter of great importance
70 the people of Marshall county, the
Red River Valley, and, in fact, the
whole state, and our readers will sure
ly appreciate the SHEAr's enterprise
IN furnishing this complete report.
With proper drainage in the Red
River Valley the entire state will be
greatly enriched and benefited, from
both an economic and climatic point
Of view. Drainage means vast tracts
Of fertile land, now almost useless,
added to our agricultural domain,
more people, more wealth, and more
taxes for the state. 1t means the
prevention of damage from floods in
the spring, early seeding, better crops
and more certainty in the raising
thereof, and consequently more pros
perity for the farmers and everybody
else. Drainage will enhance the val
he of the school lands in the drained
territory, and consequently be a ben
eft to the school fund and the schools.
1T will increase the earnings of the
railroads and thereby increase their
gross earnings tax, for the benefit of
the state. The state will be the gain
er by making liberal appropriations
for drainage purposes. But aside
from these economic benefits, the
climatic ones are not less important.
1t is well known fact that drainage
and cultivation modify the climate of
a country to very large extent. A
cultivated field attracts and absorbs
heat from the suns rays more readily
than the unbroken prairie. We have
all noticed that snow melts sooner in
the spring on plowed land. With an
Increased area Of cultivated land in
the Red River Valley, and the cold,
water soaked swamps and muskegs
properly drained, the climatic con.
aitions of southern and central Min.
nesota will be much affected. In the
Red River valley, we believe, there is
already d perceptible change in the
climatic conditions. Our winters are
less cold and rigorous than they used
to be, and they are being shortened
at both ends. With the settlement
and cultivation Of the vast Canadian
Northwest, now rapidly taking. place
the north winds will be tempered and
the climate still further improved. In
a not distant future northern Mime
sofa will have about the same climate
as Iowa now has, and will be able tc
raise corn just as successfully.
Allied to the question of drainage
IS that Of forestry. Both are devel
epment of the surface of the earth by
man for the purpose of making il
more suitable as dwelling place fol
man. Both will affect the climate by
equalizing rainfall and temperature
Tree planting should receive more
attention, not only as means Of
eeautifying the landscape. but as one
calculated to arrest the sweep Of the
winds and modify the climate. Let
every owner of piece of land set out
some trees next spring.
In conversation with Senator
Grindeland, who is one of the leaders
in pushing the drainage matter in the
Legislature, we learn that there are
good prospects of passing a drainage
bill at this session. A bill calling
for an appropriation of 100000 will
probably be introduced this week
The Governor recommended such leg
islation in his message, and the JUS
tice of the Red River Valleys claims
upon the state in the matter is being
recognized. 49,