The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-17
LOUD APPLAUSE
GREETS WILSON.
Secretary of Agriculture Ad-
dresses Irrigation Congress
On the Work His Department
Has Been Doing.
Ell PASO is LEADING
In the Contest for Next Years
~ Meeting Place,
With Reno, Nevada, Occupying
Second Place.
Ell PASO is LEADING

Ogden, Utah, Sept. 17.-Practical IL
Illustrations of what irrigation Will do for
western land and the best methods of
supplying the needed moisture to the
arid stretches OF the west as well as the
theoretical science of irrigation were set
before the delegates to the irrigation
congress at today's session. This morn
ing's session was almost entirely devoted
to the reading of papers by government
experts in irrigation and forestry, head
ed by their chief. Secretary of Agricul-
ture James Wilson, who gave very
comprehensive description of the great
work the department of agriculture is
doing in the matter of irrigation.
No session of the congress was
scheduled for this afternoon, almost the
entire body of delegates instead taking
carriages for the model farm of 40
acres conducted by the state at the
deaf. dumb and blind institution. This
entire tract has been devoted to the
experiments in various methods of irri
cation. and the delegates tramped over
the grounds all afternoon. examining
with much interest the work.
There is growing interest in the fight
for entertaining next years irrigation
congress. This morning Ell Paso
seemed to have a strong lead, with
Reno second choice. The Texas dele
cation. it is understood will try to
have the matter of selection made
special cEder for tomorrow at 10 o'clock.
Senator Francis G. Newlands of Ne
vada was the first speaker on the long
programme for today. He spoke on
state Cooperation With National
Irrieat,ouF'
Secretary OF Agriculture Wilson was
then introduced. amid great outburst
of applause.
He said
To sum up what the department of
agriculture is doing to further the prime
object of this congress. the greatest pos
sible extension OF the area irrigated.
Our measurements show losses from
main canals and laterals of more than
half the water diverted from strea ms.
We are studying ways of stopping these
losses, which means a doubling of the
area which can be reclaimed.
our measurements of the quantities
of water used indicate that the duty of
water can be doubled even under pres
ent methods. We are demonstrating TO
farmers that this is true. and studying
means of inducing them to practice the
economy which viii make possible an
other doubling of the area which can be
reclaimed.
I'VE are experimenting with improved
methods and new plants in the hope that
the water requirements may be still
further reduced permitting still wider
extension of the area which can ulti-
mately be reclaimed.
This great increase in area is possible
through the saving OF what is now
wasted. But the damage resulting from
losses of water from canals and from
use Of too much water is not limited TO
a reduction in the area reclaimed. The
surplus water is actually reducing the
area now farWed by swapping fertile
lands and bringing to the surface sucn
quantities of alkali as to kill all useful
vegetation. We are studying means of
relieving these conditions. both in this
country and in the older countries where
the damage has been of long standing
and are making experiments along the
same line in number OF places
throughout the west We have also
employed a drainage engineer whose en-
tire time is occupied in advising COM
munities as to methods and plans for
relieving wet and alkali lands The water