The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-06
Diamond Dyes
Canal for Indians.

One of the greatest works of practical
philanthropy which the government has
undertaken in behalf OF the Indians is
nearly completed. Some years ago the
national government entered into an
agreement with the Crow Indians 10 con
struct an irrigation canal on their reser-
walton. The crows occupy a vast domain
in southeastern Montana. comprising ex-
tensive areas OF rich, grazing lands and
wide fertile but arid valleys along several
important streams. The mean altitude OF
the cultivable lands of the reservation is
such as 10 prohibit the cultivation OF gem
eral crops. but the soil and climate are
suited 10 the growing of the hardy cereals
and forage, and these crops prove profit
able when grown in connection with live
stock raising.
Under the terms of the agreement the
government began the work OF construct
ing a large canal. diverting the water
from the Big Horn river. an important
tributary of the Yellowstone, and employ
ing as laborers such Indians as were will
ing 20 work. The expense OF construction
has been paid out of the fund of the
Crows in the hands OF the government,
and most OF IL has been returned to the
indians i'm payment for their labor The
Indians. under the able direction of Su-
perintendent of Irrigation Walter II. Hill.
have labored faithfully and well, with the
result that the canal is already in opera
don for is miles and the balance Of the
work, covering another is miles, will be
finished this year. In the first is miles
aow i'm operation. and watering several
thousand acres Of land. much expensive
dune and masonry work was required.
)ne OF the fumes across Soap Greek
s go feet long, and, including aprons and
Wings has a total length Of $40 feet. 1t
mas clear way OF 20 feet. is six feet deep
md its floor is 81 feet above the surface
II the stream 1t rests upon concrete
iiers was constructed of selected Wash
ngton fir, and cost $4,000. Another
lume, 1886 feet long, cost nearly 5000. The
otal amount expended 10 date is $3.50 Oo0
rhe last and final appropriation, which
vas made a short time since, is for
10000. making rhe total cost of the sys-
EN- N20, 600 The area estimated as irri-
,able from the canal is 30. coo acres, which
rings the cost Of putting the water on
he land at ST. per acre This compares
cry favorably with the estimated cost
4 water under the proposed Montana
tate canal-S1250.
The superintendent OF irrigation re-
Drts that he can finish the construction
ork this season. and that when com
eted the canal system will be the finest
the United States. From IL ne predicts
nat the Indians VIII receive more benefit
IAN from all the money the government
dds In trust for them. The allotin
gent has already surveyed 450 aloi
Ients, 225 OF which can be supplied Will
ater this spring. The remaining ~
I'VE been taken up by the Indians I'm the
ypcctation that they will have water
another year. About one-third of all
e Indians can be supplied with allot-
.tnts from this canal and II is probable
lat more acreage will doubtless develoI
hen all the land under the ditch Is al
Itted The Crows own about $500 head
stock. and in anticipation OF a greater
-oduction of hay and forage by irriga-
on they are already petitioning the
lvernment TO purchase more cattle for
rem. The reservation now produces
excess OF wheat and the successful
lcratlon OF this canal will insure abun-
mt winter feed for the cattle.--Phila
lphia Record 49,