The Delta independent., 1904-11-04

cent to the streams. There will he much
good land. however. which lies too high
To be thus reached. aud these lands. IL ir-
ricate4l nj all. must IL supplied by some
form OF pumping device or from artesian
source. As the water flows down the
steep river channels it can occasionally
be diverted and power developed, the
water being used for irrigation later.
This power. carried by the electrical
transmission mentioned in our last issue.
can be used to pump water to the lands
somewhat above the ordinary canals.
As previously stated. it is one Of the
engineering problems of the reclamation
service 20 develop all power possible and
utilize this in irrisating the higher lands
by means OF pumping. Another problem
Is that Of discovering the quantity and
quality of the underground waters and
devisink means by which these may be
brought to the surface. IL not too saline
for agricultural purposes. Thus tn.
work Of the reclamation engineers is not
merely hydraulic in character; it involves
mechanical and electrical construction
and knowledge of geological principles
which govern the occurrence OF water
underground.
soms Tedious Work for Uncle fan.
The easily available waters of the
arid region have in many instances been
appropriated and put 10 use by private
enterprises. leaving for the government
only the large. ditficult or involved pro-
jects. II is not possible anywhere to
hnd ideal conditions aud although far
reaching results are to be accomplished.
these will L.. achieved only after great
skill and tact have been brought TO
hear.
Criticism will h. launched against the
government by the uninfnrm@d. because
"f the apparently slow progress in the
development OF great irrigation projects
In all cases ii should be remembered
rha; nearly all Of such undertakings in
N"lr- the application or trial OF new
methods aud devices and the dealing with
considerable numbers Of persons who ar.
private owners Of land under such pro
r-'s-i irrigation projects. Ii will he seen
rha; th" work requires not merely skill.
hut time.
In the execution Of the work II Is nee.
ssssry TO uiiliI. lhnd. right. Of way or
pririlrr~~ owned hy individuals. Many
Of ues" can he acquired by purchase:
Others must be condemned by process OF
law. II i not desirable 10 begin CON
d"mpati"n prpc~"dings until all possible
efforts have h~en exhausted to bring
bout q fair and busin-.s-lik- sale, as il
is essential 60 secure and maintain tho
good will "f tn" community. Il /.
better policy not 20 force matters. but
even I" risk ~omc delay. rather than
by main Strength 20 bring about reforms
which will lie appreciated only after
many ycars.
Nssionsi Irritation for Private LsaAs-
As stated. Uncle sam still owns from
one-half 10 nib-.t-nths Of the area Of
each Of the Western States and terri
tories snect~i by President Roo-ereit's
National irrigation Act He is the big
land owner md will always remain the
propr~ior OF the great mountain areas
Covered mainly with trees and frOm
which CON. the waters essential to the
life "f agriculture. Much Of the best
land in the valley. has already passed
into private ownership and along almos,
every stream is continuous succession
of claims taken up under the Homestead
~ Desert Land law.
The public land. as a rule. is tho beach
lsnd adjacent TO the valley. Nearly every
for the r-clama tion of govern
ment isnd must Of necessity involve the
irrigation OF land now in private own
crsh!p. The provisions Of the law arc
-nch tha, the land owned by individuals |
eau lie irrigated in small tracts not TO
exceed 100 acrr~. ths; being the amount
allowed for each individual. The Law
has hcen 80 framed a. 10 require con
,mnous residence on and cultivation Of |
The land: whether originally in private !
nr public ownership. the chief purpose
hiring. Of course. 20 bring about imm~-
a 81, -.
farms.
Tho projects already arr~~i upon en- !
brace all extremes from thos" where
nearly all Of tho land 4. in public own
-rship. TO those where most of tho hand
s st present own~i by individuals In
he latter casr the lands ar- now for the
most part vacant. cultivation having been
attempted with an Inadequate supply
" water. and failure was the result It
he land IN private ownership were al.
rady irrigated. there would OF course.
:" no need OF governmental interference.
,ut in majority Of instances settlers
ave cnin~ In with good faith and tried
)" make homes. In any event. whether
hey have or not, they can now obtain
water under the Law only by residence
md cultivation In small tracts. thu.
ringing about the intent OF the National
irrigation Act.
Iudis dual Ho~s Puiide-s.
Whenever = project for reclamation Of
land is DECLARED to bc FEAST
'lc, public land. under IL are immediate
: taken M under the terms 1t the
Law. aud by the time the
works are completed the land is nearly
ways in prirst" ownership. Thus,
whatever tho initial condition may he.
whether the arid land was owned at first
:, the government or hy individuals. the
csnlts are tho samr-th~ establishment
= homes upon small farms.
Where the land holdings In tho hands
{ an individual or corporation are large.
rstcr Tor these cannot he obtained until
hey are subdirided aud disposed OF in
mall tracts to actual settlers. Such
ccupants must reside continuously FOR
We years. at cast. upon the iaua and
- Fv.N - III.