Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1903-09-19

of a member of the cabinet. and there
| the secretary had travelled nearly across
| the continent in order to be present,
but it is likely that very few of the
delegates expected anything more from
Mr.. Wilson than warm words of en-
enlargement. Although he is a practi-
cal farmer, it was net to be supposed
that an Iowa farmer would have such
4 keen insight into the problems con-
nected with irrigation, and it seemed
altogether improbable that the secre-
| tary would be able to tell the delegates
anything they did not already know.
But it cannot be doubted that Secre-
tary Wilson made some revelations
which were surprising: to the most ex-
perienced irrigators in the congress.
Doubtless, there was a greater element
of surprise in his address because of
the fact that the department of agri-
culture has been somewhat eclipsed in
work of the department CT the interior.
All the details of administering the ma
tional reclamation law fall to the in
terror department. The geological sur
vey is also bureau of that depart
ment, and the activity OF the survey
in all sections of the arid west. with
the great benefit which everybody can
foresee IS a result Of the surveys in
h1c al Ell Il
te~est from the more technical work of
the experts employed by the depart
ment of agriculture.
But, as Secretary Wilson clearly
pointed out, the Investigations which
his department is conducting are of a
strictly practical character. The value
of the information already gathered is
almost immeasurable. While the de-
partment of the interior, under the ra-
tional reclamation act. will bring about
q vast increase in the water supply by
storing the floods, the department OF
agriculture hopes to double the supply
available by teaching irrigators how to
obtain the greatest efficiency from the
water applied to their lands. Contrary
to a belief which has been expressed
by some eastern newspapers, there IS
no conflict of authority or policy be-
tween the two departments. AS Secre-
tary Wilson tersely expressed it, the
government has two primary purposes
in its irrigation policy. One is to in
crease the water supply: the other is to
make a better use of what we have"
conditions there is a waste of water in
irrigation which amounts to an almost
incredible sum, measured in dollars and
cents. This is due to faulty canals and
improvident use.
Great as are the possibilities of saw
ing by stopping the losses from canals
and laterals," he says. they are not
so great as the possibility of saving in
use Our measurements of the quanti-
ties actually used by farmers show that
some use from five 20 ten times as
much water as others who are raising
the same crops under similar conditions
and who secure equally good if not bet
ter returns There is no way of telling
much water. but the measurements re-
ferred to seem to justify the estimate
that on an average farmers use at
least twice as much water as is neces-
sary under present methods.
Close students of irrigation will I'M
animously admit that the secretary is
right. 1t is not our purpose here to
point out infinitely how it is that one
farmer will grow splendid crops with
half the quantity of water used by his
neighbor, but ii may be said that the
explanation lies in the treatment ac-
corded the soil. The wasteful farmer
irrigates his land, and leaves the rest
to nature. The thrifty farmer Culti-
Yates after each irrigation. if possible
to the extent of creating a dust mulci,
on the surface of his ground; this dus-
mulch prevents the moisture from es-
Gaping by evaporation. And ir the cas-:
of alfalfa and other crops which do not
admit of after cultivation. Mr.. Wilson
is no l-ss correct in saying that the
average farmer uses too much water Il :
each irrigation. AS he points out, the
great areas of fine land which have
been laid waste by alkali furnish pain
full proof of the reckless use OF water.
There are districts, to be sure. where,
as in the Salt River valley, the fiuctuat-
ing volume of the water supply seems
10 justify farmers in taking all they
can get, but this will net be the case
here after the reservoir is completed.
It having been demonstrated that the
duty Of water can be doubled by scion
tific and economical irrigation, the de
partment can do no more than suggest
the remedies. The chief benefit will
come from reform in the system of
distribution. The policy of selling water
by the acre sets Il premium on waste. Ii
appeals to all the greed of human ma
ture. The secretary wisely suggests
that irrigators should pay according to
the quantities they receive. the de-
partment has found in New Mexico and
Idaho that there is a saving of % per