Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-06-09
The ALLADIN LAMP OF IRRIGATION.
What Norris Saw the picturesque States Idaho and Utah Two
Line
Wrought in the Desert by Application of Water.

climate that won't come to many. Wnen
l asked why they had not already irri-
gated. was told that all the land, ex-
cept where the town stood, belonged TO
Indians. l was also told that it would
soon be thrown open to settlement. My
informant seemed to be right, and now
that 1t is a fact that the negotiations
are complete, and the president has is
sued a proclamation opening this land
to settlement, l feel like taking a bite
myself. over 100000 acres of land will
be offered ut auction on July 18th. l
can not help but think it is q most
wonderful opportunity. There is no
| doubt that the winter climate of Idaho
! is much milder than that of Iowa, and
the fact that this land can not sell for
| less than so shows that the govern
ment knows it has wonderful possibili-
| ties. Land that can be bought in such
n climate for $40 close to city like Po-
catello capable of being irrigated. with
a capacity to yield handsome returns
on a valuation of at least 5000 an acre
will naturally attract considerable at
tention.
Aladdin's Lamp of Irrigation.
The Snake river is a great stream
flowing westerly from the Yellowstone
park, fed by many streams pouring
down from the mountains, it bends
south toward Pocatello, at Idaho Falls,
and at Pocatelo it makes mighty
bend toward the west, flowing clear
across the state of Idaho, and thence
due north 800 or 400 miles, it pours its
waters into the Columbia. This superb
81 req fa1 nv he
rents that pour from the heights of yell
lowstone park, is only waiting the hand
of man to make of those arid plains a
veritable fairy garden. When congress
can be made to see the wisdom of irr-
cation by the general government,
when the waters of these great rivers
are brought under wise and efficient
control by the government. whereby
they can be utilized then millions OF
acres of the most fertile lands in the
world can be made to blossom like the
rose. When I say fertile" I am using
a commonplace. The fertility I allude
to is not such as we Iowans have in
mind. Their productive power, under
water, is marvellous, incredible. Atad-
din and his wonderful lamp are hnre
and the old, old story is but an exag-
geration of the real thing. This is why
the people in that country get so much
with so little outlay. You rub the lamp
and, 10, where before was white dust,
are roses and alfalfa. From an agricul-
tural standpoint it's possibilities are
practically limitless, but as fruit
country am inclined to think the crop
will be disappointment, because of the
hot inv io1, n
June.
The railroad folders tell us about the
small beginnings or irrigation in the
west, and of the great systems now In
operation. This is all bosh. Outside of
California, there is practically no syste-
matte, no scientific irrigation in the
west. Irrigation not only requires the
best talents, but immense capital. The
system in operation is crude, INSULT
cient unsystematfc, uncertain. Many
of the bitches are cooperative, cheap.
temporary affairs. Others, built by COR
porations. are made with the least pos
sible expense, and the water is far
greater than the use of 1t. The matter
is now before congress. believe that
body will act in accordance with the
spirit of the age. The act is only be-
ginning, but it commits the government
to the principle. The necessity is great
and the returns will be fabulous. The
constitutional argument is rot It may
be in violation of precedent. but there
is nothing particularly sacred about
precedent. The present president of the
United States and the present senate
and houses are just as patriotic as their
predecessors, and just as competent to
uass on what is wise and practical. 1t
is simply business proposition. The
government ought to control the water
supply of that country, and every
ditch in operation ought to pass under
the control and supervision of the gov
eminent. Then irrigation will be scien-
tific, systematic, and fair to all the peo-
pie
Water and Its Effect in Idaho.
The ride to Nampa, where spur
carries us to Boise City. is uneventful,