The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-09-23
Irrigation Will Change Deserts to Gardens and
Provide Lands for Millions Of Homes.
ROOsEvELTS STRONG, FRIENDLY HAND
A Policy that Increases the Sum Of Human
Happiness and EnIarges and Strength
ems the Republic.

country abounds in mountains, plains
and valleys. 1t is here that the govern
ment proposes to apply the workings of
the National Irrigation Act and to re.
claim all of the arid land which may
be ascertained TO be Bile and (which
IS found To be susceptible Of reclama-
ton by the amoun Of water available.
Government experts estimate that the
present amount Of land which may be
irrigated is about one hundred million
acres. This can be reclaimed by apply
llg the amount OF water now available.
direct. 1t is also estimated that after
irrigation has been applied to the soil
for three or -four years, a less quantity
OF water is necessary and hence an ad-
ditional area of perhaps fifty millions
acres more may possibly be added to the
reclamation area.
Mature Did the NeedfuI.
Nature seems to have employed every
resource at its command to make the
mountain and plain region the most fav-
ored portion of the earth's surface for
the habitation Of man. This section will
one day be the seat Of empire of the
United States, aud, consequently, the
world. For a distance of more than a
thousand miles there are successive
chains Of mountains, in general course
running north and south and on parallel
lines. with numerous valleys occupying
the immediate ground.
Each valley, large or small, has its
stream, carrying, with rapid fall. the
melting SHOWS Of the tributary noun
tains. The grades in general favor the
operation of irrigating canals which
take the water from streams and carry
it at a moderate fall to lines above
the cultivated land. AS the spring sea-
son advances, the rainfall decreases, the
crops need more and more water, which
IS furnished automatically by the gradual
increase of the temperature along and
up the mountain side, reaching the light
est deposit of snow first, and then. during
the later and hotter months, drawing
upon the reserve Of the deeper and less
easier melted ice at the higher attitudes.
Fertility Of Arid Soil.
Under the rains OF centuries much Of
the soluble plant foods in eastern soils
have been washed into the sea. Where
no rainfall exists the plant food remains.
The government analyses Of soils show
that the arid lands average three times
No A0 SNs' oAA ~ as Iu1 mas
nesia and fourteen times as much lime
as the humid lands. Any farmer will
tell you that a limestone country is a
rich country. To replace the food taken
by growing plants the eastern farmer
resorts TO fertilizers and manure Start
ing with a rich soil, the irrigationist also
finds fertilizing strength in the water he
uses. The manurial value held in solu-
finr iv CR einrhoS of Unfor-tho orpount
applied to one acre in a season at the
University Of Arizona-amounted to
$9.O7. Ten acres under irrigation aver
age better returns thar 4O-acre crops, in
the usual way. Z
Land Very Valuable.
In those communities of the west
which have been created by irrigation.
the average yield of wheat, potatoes and
small fruits far exceeds that Of the best
farming district in Iowa or Missouri
or the best part Of the Mississippi Val
ley. Although comparatively remote
from the worlds markets for products,
an acre Of land under water rights in
the very heart Of the arid region, will
command a higher price than an acre in
the humid Mississippi Valley. The farm
ers have learned that 40 acres, we'll till
ed, will yield more profit han 400 acres
farmed in the old, haphazard way. In
tensive farming and larger profits from
smaller farms are making closely settled
communities, establishing nearby neigh
bors, schools, churches and libraries, and
the isolation Of old farm life no longer
exists. The farmer makes more money.
and the deadly monotony of life does
not drive his children from home, or
his wife to the insane asylum.
Roosevelt Immortalizcd
The passage OF the National Irriga-
ton Act is taItamount to saying that
the west is already redeemed-it is now
only q question Of time. Perhaps no
law has been passed since the founda-
tion OF this government winch has been
or can be so prolific in great and last
ing results 20 the United States. No
law has ever been enacted which will
add SO much stability. wealth, bappi-
ness and general prosperity to the peo-
pie and the government as the National
Irrigation Law.
Here is a now field for the most hope
full speculation. 1t cannot be that any
human mind has vet been able to esti-
mate the far-reachinx, the fruitful re-
suits which will follow in the wake OF
this National Act. Lincoln is immortal
lied for his Emancipation Proclamation.
Roosevelt will be immortalized because
he has done that which will set free
from the thraldom OF the congested cen
tiers of population, millions OF families
who can and will feel grateful to him
and his memory as they sit under their
vine and igtree and enjoy all the
comforts and contentment Of their new
and enlarged. life Of health. happiness
and usefulness.
Make It easy for the average citizen |
to become q land owner and you |
strengthen tenfold his allegiance and de- |
~ h;s nnaantrv and fau,;ly yJ 1