, 1904-08-25

cupatlon OF the chase n the noma-
die wanderings of pastoral pursuits
and anchored them in permanent and
settled homes, where they established
and maintained stable governments
under fixed laws, and gradually de
veloped and perfected the useful arts,
and sciences. =
The peculiar form of our govern
ment, which leaves with the states
the authority to permit or deny the
right of diversion of the waters OF
non-vavigable streams for the pur-
pose of irrigation, has its advantages
as well as its disadvantages. The dis
advantages lie i'll the possibility of
conflict AS to the respective rights
of the citizens of two or more states
through which flow the waters of an
interstate stream. The advantage af-
fording the opportunity for enact
ment and perfection of laws and reg
ulations favorable to the highest and
best irrigation development by one
ommonwealth, when the climatic
riparian rights rende. equally intelli-
gent and advantageous Legislation for
irrigation development impossible OF
accomplishment in another.
We have under irrigation in the
United States to-day something over
9,250,0OO acres, or nearly double the
irrigated area of Egypt, and a larger
area than any other country i'll the
world, except British India. This
area has all been reclaimed from the
desert by private enterprise and indi
vidual effort and we shall make a
great mistake if we do not en-
courage in every legitimate and law
full way the continuation of develop
ment by pirate enterprise. While
we have upon the statute books of
the nation a national irrigation law,
which we confidently hope is to play
a most important part in the develop
ment of arid America, we should not
forget that in the aggregate IA vast
= area of territory which is not so stu
ated as to make It's reclamation pos
} sible under the national irrigation
law. The enterprising irrigationist
aud home builder will find innumer-
able opportunities throughout the
arid region foI the reclamation of
small areas at an expenditure entirely
within the means and reach of any ir
Z rigation farmer who is not afraid of
= hard work. who uses fair judgement,
! and who is willing to undertake the
= hard work and endure the temporary
hardships inevitably connected with
the reclamation of lands by individu,
al or cooperative effort.
In many instances the small irri-
gated farm i'll the arid and semi arid
= region, made possible by the diver
sion of a small stream or the i'm.
t pounding of flood waters from the
hills, will prove more satisfactory as
an investment and AS IA home than
an irrigated farm under IA large gov
!. eminent enterprise by reason of the
{ Independence of action it permits
; and the advantages it offers in the
vitalization of the surrounding graz
! ing lands, and | would most earnestly
! commend to the young men of the
country who are seeking new homes,
and who are willing to work hard for
them with reasonable assurances of
= ultimate success, the development of
small irrigated farms by the i'm
pounding of flood waters in the great
grazing regions of the arid and semi
arid country
T Except for the fact that the gov
eminent expects no profit ON its en-
terprises under the national irriga-
ton law, but provides water for the
irrigation of lands at the actual cost
OF the construction of works, there is
no essential difference between the
methods of the government under the
national. irrigation law and judicious
irrigation undertakings by private en-
terprise. The government proceeds
to the irrigation of its lands exactly
AS any wise and careful landowner
might do, and on completion of the
works, the titles to individual water
rights are maintained and protected
as in the case of land irrigated by in
dividual or private organizations.
There is at this time in the nation.
al irrigation fund, available for con.