Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1902-09-17
Railroads and irrigation Converting
Desert Into Valuable Lands.
ARTICLE EY CARLSBAD CITIZEN
10 Forcible Argument lie POrtrayS Great
Benefits These Powerful Agencies
Have Rendered PecOs Valley.

WIN an lInulBIdllOu VI nearly NAIL
\ million pouring into the United
states yearly, through single port,
with the overcrowding in the middle
west, causing land values to soar be-
ycnd the reach of men with moderate
means, 1t behooves the homeseeker TO
carefully look about and study all con-
ditions before making SO important a
decision, which not alone affects him
self. but future generations as well. In
SO doing he cannot afford to overlook
the great and growing southwest. For
those whose constitutions can stand
the billiards of the northwest. with
temperature often ranging 80 to 40 de-
grees below zero, accompanied with
deep snow, the northwest is all right,
for 1t develops sturdy manhood; but
how about the man who does not care
to brave these conditions? Or the
man past millde life? Or the
family no unfortunate as to have an in
valid? To all these classes. and others,
the southwest cannot be too strongly
recommended.
No section of our country is SO little
known and understood to-day as the
southwest. There are many reasons
for this l will cite several and at the
same time t'y to mention few of its
many advantages.
1. A large portion of what is known
ns the southwest lies in the arid or
Bemi-arid regians. where farming can
only be conducted by irrigation. The
same is true oil the entire far west,
both north, central and south. The
recent construction Of immense and
costly irrigation works in the south
vest has changed old conditions. Now
all the farmer has to do, living under
an irrigation system, is to order the
water for his crops as required, and 1t
IS furnished. affordlng absolute insur-
ance against drouth. For this water
service, agaregating two and one-half
,eet over the land, ap annual charge OF
5nly SIPS per a;re is made by the Pc
,os Irrigation company. To this add
The annual average rainfall of about
sixteen inches, making total of about
four feet of water for the season.
2. 1t may be said that formerly the
,owman practically controlled the
southwest. when it took from twenty
to thirty acres to support single steer.
The average cowman has no use for
the farmer. He was never invited to
come and settle. and when he did SO he
was treated and looked upon as tres
passer. Irrigation is rapidly changing
all this. Now, instead Of requiring
twenty to thirty acres to support
single steer, thirty head of yearlings
IAN be wintered on forty acres of alfal-
Ia pasture. In the seni-arid regions,
where government, or, in Texas, state
lands, can be obtained at 81 to $1.25
per acre, which will afford good sum
mer range, enough forage can be
raised without irrigation to carry
stock over the short mild winters.
The state of Texas leases its public
grazing lands at an annual rental VI
from &c to &c per acre, leases running
ten years or less and carrying renewal
and purchase privileges. Each settler
may purchase as many as four sections
(2560) acres at these prices. Texas
agricultural lands must bring not less
than $3.50 per acre, purchasers being
required to reside upon their land
three consecutive years, and to make
Improvements to the value of 5000. No
such conditions or restrictions are
placed upon those who purchase irri-
gated lands. Such agricultural lands,
carrying perpetual water right, may
yet be obtained at from $40 to $50 per
acre, the supply Of which. from natural
causes, will for all time be exceedingly
limited, lnsuring steady If not rapid
increase in values. For these and
other advantages mentioned advise
the purchase Of irrigated lands. Much
agricultural land can yet be purchased
under Irrigation canals at from 50 TO
IS per acre without a water right, but
for which water can be purchased at
reasonable rates as required.
8. To the railroads. more than any
other one agency. is due the changed
conditions of the southwest. Take