The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1903-12-04
IRRIGATION FORTY YEARS AGO
ma. Among the Sierras
In Nevada.


In Nevada.
Irrigation was understood before the
Christian era. and was practiced in
Egypt. Asia Minor Persia and AssyTia
England has always recognized its
value, and has expended $500 GOO 600 in
India upon irrigation works. which have
done much TO render more certain the
crops of that region. England is to-
day expending millions of dollars on the
Nile, in extending the area of irrisa-
ton.
Thus. the government in taking con-
troll of the vast arid region Of our west,
and so constructing an intelligent sys-
tenn of reservoirs and canals as TO rem
der an unfruitful land productive mere
IN follows in the footsteps OF ancient
dynasties. and adopts the ideas OF in
telligent men who have gone before
writes Senator Francis E. Newlands, oil
Nevada. in Youths Companion
Forty years ago. when the first hns-
bandman was so pleased with a little
Nevada valley. hemmed in upon every
side by the great Sierra Nevadas, that
he determined to build there his house
of logs and pastered mud. and begin
10 irrigate the soil. he did not think
that upon the very ground which he
chose would spring up prosperous
town OF many thousand inhabitants
His work was very simple. Turning
TO the crystal Truckee. he cut large
canal leading from the banks. This ne
fitted with a sluice-bOx and dam. so
that he might control the flow of water
in bis.eNcavation. From the larger canal
smaller bitches were dug across the
fiat Northumberland ground, and
these. in turn. we're cut with smaller
channels. Eventually his miniature
system of life-bringing arteries covered
many acres of seemingly unfertile soil.
He flooded the ground; the sage
brush died; he removed the rocks and
powders and turned up the earth; be
planted the seeds of vegetation. and,
with an arid climate-a substantial
guarantee against injury by fiOod-and
perfect control of the water supply-a
protection against loss Of crops by
drought-his crops became fruitful. and
multiplied far beyond his most sangu!ne
expectations As the measure of value
is not in area. but in capacity. 20 acres
of soil was equal TO more than 50 acres
in the eastern country he had left be-
hind.
This husbandman found also that the
land of sunshine was good for his health
and spirits Perpetual cheer from the
heavens acts unconseiously upon ones
nature. The dry. pungent air was slim
uIating to his nerves This was ma
lures sanitarium, and as its fame spread
abroad. more settlers came to the banks
of the little stream, and the colony OF
irrigationists began to increase.
AT the same time. others. Of more
venturesome temperament. found that
here, also. was natures treasure-house.
At Virginia City, some 20 miles beyond
in the great brown mountains, was IN
earthed a gold and silver vein OF fabu-
lous wealth This was the great Com
stock Lode. and the eager adventurers
who crowded the streets of this town
brought the name and fame OF the
Truckee valley to far distant ears. These
people needed food. and the farmer in
Tue SulllHS NdlitS SOOn udO d ulli htl
hungry for his products
Thus the ranches, few at first. became
more numerous; the irrigation bitches
were bigger, and tapped the supplying
Truckee at higher altitude in the snow
mountains which gave il life. Where the
water would not run advantageously
acorss the valleys. great wooden fumes
were built on trestles Now the pros
porous Truckee valley. green. peaceful
and fragrant in the clear. brilliant sun
shine lies.restfully between the granite
ridges of the beetling mountains-a pos
tive example of the creative handiwork
of man, and of the marvellous results of
irrigation
Where first the venturesome farmer
plunged his spade is now the town Of
Reno, with homes to shelter 5000 souls.
and with university TO further he in
tellectual life of the residents of the
state The school of mining engineer
ing-a department of the university
has wide reputation. and has trained
a corps of efficient workers many of
whom are now prominent in mining
ventures in South Africa. Nome and the
Klondike. The great Comstock Lode
has not yet been exhausted; and in the
mountains beyond, at Tonopah, new de-
posits Of precious metal have been found
in great richness and abundance.
This is the growth and development OF
only one small portion Of the virgin
west, and 1t well illustrates the magni-
tude OF its mineral and agricultural re-
sources. which have not yet been half
tested. and which are open to millions
of people, eager for fresh opportunities
to develop their own strength and that
OF their native land
Would Quit Breathing.
Some one who dislikes the use Of to-
kno.1. ncl.cd ..IA NJ, -.