The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1903-12-01

stored waters can De DTOuSnC out ny
gravity canals to cover the lands adj
jacent to the rivers. Much of the
better land, however, lies at attitudes
too high to be thus reached, and these
lands, if irrigated at all, must be sup
piled by some form of pumping device,
or from artesian sources. AS the wa
ter flows down the steep river chan
nels, it can occasionally be diverted
and power developed, the water being
used later for irrigation. This power,
carried out by electrical transmission,
can be used to pump water to the
lands somewhat above the ordinary
canals.
DEVELOPMENT OF POWER.
1t is one of the engineering prob
lens of the reclamation service to de-
velop all of the power possible, and
utilize this in irrigating the higher
lands by means of pumping. Another
problem is that of discovering the
quantity and quality of the under
ground waters, and devising means
by which these may be brought to the
surface, if not too saline, for agricul-
tural purposes. Thus the work of the
engineers is not merely hydraulic in
character; it involves mechanical and
electrical construction, and o knOwl-
edge of geological principles which
govern the occurrence of water under
ground.
The easily available waters of the
arid region have already been ap-
prOpriated and put to use by private
enterprise, leaving for the govern
ment only the large, difficult or in
volved projects. 1t is not possible
anywhere to find ideal conditions, and
although great results can be accom-
plished, these will be achieved only
after great skill and tact have been
brought to bear. Criticism has and
will be made because of the slow
progress in these great works; but
when it is remembered that nearly
all of these undertakings involve the
application, or trial, of new methods
and devices, and the dealing with con-
siderable numbers of persons, it will
be seen that the work requires not
merely SKILL but time.
In the execution of the works it is
necessary to utilize lands, rights of
way or privileges owned by individu-
ais. Most of these can be acquired
by purchase; others must be con-
ny pIOC0SS VI law IL 10 uoC
desirable to begin condemnation pro-
ceedings until all possible efforts have
been exhausted to bring about fair
and business-like sale, as it is essen
tial to secure and maintain the good
will of the community. 1t is consider
ed wise not to force matters, but to
risk some delay, rather than by main
strength to bring about reforms
which will be appreciated only after
some years.
IRRIGATION OF PRIVATE LANDS.
The government is still the owner
of from one-half to nine-tenths of the
area of each of the western states
and territories. 1t is in effect the
great land owner, and will probably
always remain the proprietor of the
great montain masses covered in part
with trees, and from which come the
waters essential to the life of agri-
culture Much of the best land in
the valleys has, however, passed into
private ownership, and along every
stream is a continuous succession of
claims taken up under the homestead
or desert land law. The public land,
as a rule, is on the bench land ada
cent to the valleys. Nearly every
scheme for the reclamation of govern
ment land must of necessity involve