Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-03-31
AN IMPORTANT CONVENTION.

AN IMPORTANT CoNVENIloN'
on Thursday, April Ord, at 10 a. M,
the irrigation convention, which was
called by Governor II. NJ. Wells and
after trnnsacting important business
adjourned until April End, win recon.
yene IN the Assembly Hall and resume
It's deliberations. The postponcment for
one day was rendered necessary, be-
cause the reduced rates for railway
transportation win not take effect In
time for assembling on the earlier date
Probably one Of the earliest topics
for consideration win be the ccnsum-
nation Of the plan 70 organize perma-
nently, an association for the promo
ton of irrigatng measures In the in
terest Of the Rocky Mountain region
while Utah may be classed among the
very first portions OF this country to
utilize irrigation for agricultural pur-
poses, adjacent states and Territories
have moved ahead, ana by their Varied
experiences have developed new meth-
DDS and improvements along old lines,
and II Is necessary that our agrlcul-
turlsts and lrrigators shall become
thoroughly informed upon all matters
connected with this very important
subject,
A number of good things were
brought forward at the recent sitting
OF the convention, and We are
pleased that steps have been taken
to continue those deliberations, The
first sitting was attended by dele
gates from nearly every part OF the
state numbering two hundred and
forty-siX A memorial TO Congress was
adopted, asking for legislation on the
redemption OF aria lands and on other
subjects relating TO the welfare of this
part Of the country,
Among other subjects cosldered by
the convention, was the diffusion OF
knowledge as to ihe best methods to
be pursued IN order to mature crops
in seasons Of drouth There was not
time to enter fully into this important
topic, and IL Is to be hoped that 1t VIII
be resumed during the coming session
0f the convention The conservation
)f water Is well worthy of further con-
alteration In connection with this SUBJ
Ject. and also the eva Of excessive ir-
igatlon That vast quantities of the
precious nuld are worse than wasted
through over supply, is evident to all
persons who are acquainted with the
loose system which is still in vogue in
many parts Of this state.
The experience Of a number Of the
delegates showed that the chief
forage crop OF this decentralization
not only be matured with much less
water than is usually applied to 1t, but
that the yield can also be largely in
creased Csome say doubled by thor
oughly puyerlzlng the surface of the
field especially where the stand is sew
eral years Old with a disc harrow. This
treatment has tendency to split the
crown Of the plants and thus cause
them to spread, and II resorted to at
Just the right time in the spring, the
pulyerizing the soil not only has she
effect of retaining what moisture there
Is in the ground, but OF killing the grass
and weeds that frequently infest the
crop.
Another point brought out In the dis
cusslon, was the danger attending sur
face irrigation Of Alfalfa during the
first year Of its growth II was ex-
planned that the natural tendency is for
the roots OF the young plants to seek
moisture by shooting downward. and
the depths to which they viii 20 in their
search for moisture has often been
matter Of surprise. II, however, the
crop be irrigated when the plants are
young, the hbrous roots have tendency
10 spread out near the surface In
search OF moisture instead OF penetrat-
ing the soil vertically, and the result Is.
the crop is a failure not being able TO
endure the drouth liable to follow.
These and other subjects relating 70
the best methods to be pursued for i'm
provement In agriculture, to which
scientific and practical irrigation is
necessarily allied viii doubtless, en-
gage the close attention Of the dele
gates who will assemble in this city
during the present week Much good
will certainly, accrue from the perma.
nent organization OF this association Of
intelligent farmers and others, and we
hope II will be attended by at least as
many delegates as were present on the
fnrgOep opaauipu