Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-05

absolute necessity. Nearly all OF the gov
eminent lands that lie under rainy skies
are now occupied. Yet there lie an immense
area OF rich soil in the far west that wants
only water 10 make IL the most fruitful
and valuable OF land. The farmer in an
irrigated country has many advantages
over the one who has TO depend upon the
ca-priciousness OF the weather. Having
water available in his ditch or reservoir,
the irrigation farmer can turn It on and
distribute II when and where IL is needed.
and in such quantities as experience has
taught him will produce the best results.
No crops rot in the field: the irrigator has
complete control of the water. and other
things being equal, a crop is assured be-
yond all doubt every season.
removes I'M Of Chance.
Irrigation is one OF the Oldest OF arts. It
was practiced by the ancient Egyptians,
the Assyrians, the Babylonians and the
Chinese. Irrigated land In Spain is worth
from 5000 to 2 $500 an acre. Irrigated land
In California. planted to oranges, has sold
for $500 an acre for soil. trees and water
right. Dry farming is seen to be precarious
business in every land. Irrigation is scien-
tifc. 1t takes the work OF the tiller OF
the soil out Of the realm OF chance, and In
n lhuu VI SUNSHINE ike InlH makes FARMING
or fruit growing a staple business. But
irrigation concerns itself with small tracts.
II means the day Of small farms. and large
holdings must be broken up. They are un-
profitable. This explains why lands are
low; why great, level. productive acres in
the finest regions OF a wonderful state. are
for sale.
In Nebraska the number Of lrrigators in
creased from PA in 1889 to 1882 In 1899, or
sO2.3 per cent, and the number OF acres
irrigated from I1,7A to las. 53s. or 1.164.S
per cent. The bitches in operation in 1899
had a length Of 1,7O1 miles, cost 81. 276. 1913
and irrigated 147, 695 acres. There were $40
acres irrigated from wells. The irrigated
area in crops was 1919, 726 acres, yielding
products valued at 1882 .615. The area irri-
gated in pasture and immature crops was
1882 acres.
Government Irrigation work.
Immediate results from the recent act
Of congress looking toward irrigation OF
arid lands in the west should not be ex-
pected. Reports from Washington are to
the effect that before the general work can
be undertaken there will have to be a great
amount Of preliminary work. An extensive
series OF surveys will have to be made and
other preliminary work done before the
actual construction OF irrigation works can
be expected.
The first object of the government will
be that Of determining the extent OF the
available water resources for the various
districts, and in doing so one Of the facts
to be ascertained will be the amount OF
now which may be expected at different
seasons Of the year. Until those facts are
known it will not be possible to determine
what area of land any particular stream is
capable Of effectively irrigating at the time
when irrigation is most needed.
Another important subject to the enter
prise which will require careful study Is
the extent to which the waters of various
districts may be conserved by the construc-
ton Of reservoirs. Where the conditions
are favorable for the erection Of dams and
barriers the surplus waters Of the rainy
season can be stored for use during dry
seasons. and thus the supply for irrigation
be much increased over that which is now
available. To determine where such reser-
voirs are practicable and where they should
be located so as to most effectively serve
the desired purpose will Of course entail
extensive surveys and a great deal OF time.
1t is of interest in this connection to
know that the work OF irrigation by the
government, while It will eventually mean
a great deal for the west, will not have
to be waited for to develop the North
Platte valley and the Big Horn basin. The
work of irrigation in each Of these Sec
tions is now extensively and systematically
carried out. The best proof Of this fact
is the report Of crops and yield for last
season given above.
In a recent editorial your paper states:
by consolidated effort Nebrask a can
without question add 100 1000 inhabitants
to its population within the next two
years. Some Of this population In.
crement is bound to come Of it's own
accord. but we cannot get the full
benefit that belongs to us unless we do
something to bring the unexampled OPP
portunities afforded by this state to the
attention OF those who may be induced to
join our citizenship" With the upbuilding
Of the North Platte valley and other sec
lions OF the western portion OF the state
there is no reason why the hope thus ex-
pressed that 100, 900 inhabitants be added to
Nebraska's population in the next two
years cannot be realized.