The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1903-01-29
About Irrigation.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 81, '03.
fSpeclal TO the NEvADAN.)

The acceptance by Congress OF the
principle of federal aid in the construc-
tion of irrigation works in the western
states has given great impetus to every
industry in that section of the country.
The people of the eastern states are just
beginning to realize the opportunities
offered in the territory to be opened up.
As the proposition Develops, tide of
immigration viii inevitably set in and
this region will become one of the
most populons and prosperous in the
country With large areas OF reclaim
able land and plenty OF available water,
Nevada especially will be benefited by
the measure.
The actual work of surveying, locat-
ing and constructing reservoirs and
other irrigation works will be done by
the Geological Survey. In order to OBJ
tain better understanding OF the pres
ent extent Of irrigation, the location of
araas irrigated, aud to gain other infor-
nation useful in this work, the Fifty
seventh Congress authorized the Direct
or Of the Census to bring down to date
the irrigation statistics obtained 10 1900
by that Office. Letters of inquiry and
schedules are now being sent out to Sc
cure the necessary information. All in
terested in irrigation should answer as
fully and as promptly as possible aLy in
qniries they may receive so that
the merits Of the various sections
OF the country may become known.
Irrigators who do not receive blanks
within a reasonable time should notify
the Census Office at Washington and
they will be supplied.
1t is interesting to note in this con-
neetion how much it will mean to the
country at large TO have the arid lands
of the west reclaimed.
According to the census Of 1900 the
total improved farm area of the United
States was 414 ,5090D0 acres. 1t is con-
servatively estimated that the reclaim
able area is not less than 50,OO0,OO0
acres. Its reclamation. therefore, will
add nearly one-eighth TO the actual crop
producing area of the country and will
exceed by liberal margin the tillahle
land Of all the states, excepting New
York, on the Atlanlic Coast from Maine
to Florida. Allowing 40 acres, the aver
age size Of irrigated farms, this area will
make 10000 farms, or a little less than
one-foarth the number in the United
States in lg60 The occupants of these
farms will add directly TO the population
G. 80 600, and indirectly, in the accom-
panyiBg mercantile, professional, manu-
featuring and industrial classes at least
3,125, 900 more, total increase in the
population of the United States of $685.
900, or nearly twelve aud one-half pei
cent.
The total value of all the farms in
1900, including all improvements except
buildings, was sl3, 3,1l5,0 100000. At S42 30
per acre. the average value of irrigated
land, the 5o,000,0a0 acres to be reclaimed
will add to the value of farm laad ST.
250,O09,00o. II buildings are included,
the value will be increased S775,000OOO,
while the augmented wealth through
railro, DIS, citiee, mills and factories, is
beyond estimation.
- 81 fla far frn
ducts in 1900 was S4,379,o00,0O0. The
average value per acre OF products OF ir-
rigated lands was sl4 ST. At this rate
the area to be reclaimed will add pro-
ducts worth S7l0,500,000, an addition Of
nearly one sixth of the life sustaining
powers of the country.
The number of irrigating bitches and
canals in operation in the United States
exceeds 10000, and their combined
length is no, less than 10000 miles. II
joined end to end they would reach
twice around the world. Formed into
one they would constitute a navigable
canal, such us the Erie, thirty feet wide
aud five feet deep, extending from San
Francisco to New York, a distance OF
over 5000 miles.
The figures of the last census show
that the works required to irrigate "
263,273 acres cost s6i, $50 601, an average
of SO S5 per acre. At this rate the ex-
penditure required 10 reclaim the area
proposed would be ct least S450000.0Oo.
After the Government has performed
its part there will be no delay by the
farmers in carrying on the work. While
the initial expense is enormous, it is not
comparable with the value of the crops
which will oe grown on the lands re-
claimed. The total cost of all the irri-
CATION works in use in the country is
only three fourths the value OF the crops
nrodnced each year on irrigated lands.