Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-12-26

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win be ready response to this ap-
peal 1t isstp eoi ot I; t 4 state !ssse
The letter os Mr.. Newell ais hsEss
with appended: stl;8sss II d u 'xss ss rs
Department f Ma Ilt "A Il \, II H h Al
States Geologicaf Survey, Reclamation
Service, Washington, p. G., Rscember
10. 1904. Eo TAi Forum sIs llp gssAnce my
return from E Y tlA n ass hRYs jeen CIV
Ing some attention to irrigation in
North Aakptsa,g A and Al my investiga-
tianaa sef thse subject have been cor
sMting the proof sheets Of the special
census report l,y n .s Il for 1902.
This report brings out clearly the fact
that irrigation in North Dakota is
restricted almost exclusively to COM
paratively small section in the ex-
trsme northwest, where irrigation is
used principally for growing native
grasses for pasture or hay, and the
most common method is that Of food
ing. y H. II -
Irrigation Is accomplished by plac-
ing dams In the streams and coulees
so that considerable quantities of
water during the early freshets are
forced to flow out. over the adjacent
lands. Ordinarily one such flooding
is sufficient to produce a good crop of
hay. .,,..., 49,; .....:.o =. ...>,s.
Almost all Of the irrigation is prac-
ticed within the drainage basin Of 6e
Missouri: The census report ,indi-
Gates that although the rainfall in
1902 generally was ample for farm.
ing purposes the total irrigated area
III that year shows healthy increase
since 1898. this no doubt being largely
accounted for by the large number of
new settlers who have located in the
northwestern part Of the state.
The census figures show that 10,3S4
acres on 102 farms were irrigated from
So irrigation systems, the average cost
of construction per irrigated acre be-
!. ing only $4.34. have studied the
table from which this report was pre-
, pared, and find that eliminating the
large stock ranches in Williams coun
ty irrigated largely by overflow, the
average irrigated area per farm is ap
proximately fifty acres. The tota
cost Of the irrigation systems in the
state is only $4,000, which indicates
that these systems are of exceedingl.
simple construction.
= Irrigation can be extended to vastl!
q larger areas by other simple individu
al and relatively inexpensive systems
= The comparatively small area in Nortl
Dakota which has been brought un
q der irrigation, indicates that the pee
pie are in need of education on thi
h |subject. A more general effort On tn
n part Of the farmers to increase the il
!. rigated area would undoubtedly hav
tendency to awaken greater inte1
!. est in the promotion by the govern
. ment and by corporations of large e1
h terprises in the state, by showing tn
,tneed and advantage of irrigation.
4 I am sending you list of irrigs
Is tors of record in 1902 and suggest tina
y through correspondence with ther
you may receive much valuable info
Il mation concerning the methods G
> irrigation and the results which hav
:. followed its practice in your state
Wide publication of the facts whic
= you will obtain would certainly ten
. to awaken a lively interest in irrigs
=. ton and undoubtedly would be pr
ductive of much good.
Z / offer these suggestions for you
I; consideration, knowing your deep ii
d tterestI inleveryt that concerns til
Z .welfareaantl the:material development
Il tof your state. Very truly yours, i;
i j. Eli Newell,
H. Chief Engineer.
! .