The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-05-07

made deep and carefully cemented,
SO that no drop OF water once cap
tured by them is lost. This waste
water is conveyed back to the main
canal or a lateral. at lower level.
and used again. We can not begin.
In this article, to give description
OF the great Italian irrigation sys-
tems' The most striking feature Of
them, though, is their solidity.
They are built for eternity, from
the smallest lateral check to the tre-
mendous masonry headgates at the
point OF original diversion. Not a
stick Of wood is anywhere used.
1t is all iron, stone or concrete.
Their system of distribution, in its
main feature, is the same as that
attempted to be established in the
Pioneer District. The water user
is given fixed head for a certain
period OF time. He is obliged to
prepare himself and his land to take
the head, no matter what the size of
his farm, and it is a common occur
renee tor men having farms of three
to i've acres using a head of water
OF 200 to 800 inches. Mr.. Mead
told OF one case which came partic-
ularly under his observation where
the farmer was using a head of $50
inches on 7 acre farm, and the
duration of his turn was IS minutes.
He got the water once a week.
And that is the way to irrigate, too.
There were many things of inter
est brought out and suggested by
Mr.. Mead, some of which shall re-
ceiye attention hereafter. 1t would
be an excellent thing if Mr.. Mead
could deliver that lecture in the
farming districts. 1t would give
the farmers of this country some
ideas that they ought have. 1t
would teach them the immense i'm
portance of irrigation and indicate
the value of water.
Irrigation in Italy is not necessary
to crop production. The rainfall is
greater there than in Ohio, and it is
evenly distributed throughout the
seasons; but the Italians have found
out that they cannot afford to- place
any dependence on rain where irri-
cation is practicable. The value oi
irrigation will strikingly appear
when it is state that the average
annual rental paid for unirrigated
land is 81 an acre, for irrigated $27.
A difference of $40, which in 4 per
cent money represents difference
in land value of $500 an acre.
What does the Pioneer District man
who kicks at $3.50 water rights
think of that?
After the lecture, a number OF
prominent men, on the invitation OF
State Engineer Darlington, repaired
to the Idanha Hotel where a cola.
ton was served and irrigation mat
ters were discussed informally.
It IS worthy of note, that there
was absolute agreement upon one
point, namely that the District ides
is the correct thing in irrigation.
The State Engineer is certainly en-
titled to great credit for the interes
he is taking in irrigation matter
and, particularly, should he be com
mended for inducing Mr.. Mead t.
come and tell US of what he saw ii
Italy. No one, at all interested il
the question, who heard Mr.. Mead
lecture, could help but be enthused
It made it plain that in arid 1dah'
we are just at the beginning of
| work that will go on supporting
; and prospering mankind for untol'
ages. 1t made it plain that righ
to-day the most important question
demanding solution, by the Ameri
! can people, is Irrigation.
T. E. Munk buys hides and pay
the highest cash price for them
< He will be at the Caldwell Storag
: Company's building opposite tn
! c. w. Cooper Lumber yards. Loo
Y him up before disposing of you