Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-10-19

to be made to reclaim arid lands; or, Mi
until all the available water should
be utilized. The law of diminishing
will thus mark the ultimate
boundaries of profitable irrigation.
Then, also, the climate conditions
must be taken into account. If
given amount of dam building. and
ditching will supply a given area Of
land with water, and that land will, on
account of local conditions produce
two, three, or four crops per year, it
will have a relative advantage over
lands situated in ATTITUDES where only
one crop can be produced annually.
The ultimate pressure of population
upon the soil, and in consequence, the
larger demands made upon the: pro-
ductiveness of land, will SO enhance
its value as to make irrigation profit
able where it would not be thought OF
at the present time, or even fifty years
hence. ... ..... 49,. - 49,.
From the foregoing, it will be readily
seen that the excellent work done by
the state press generally, and the sub
stantial assistance rendered by public
spirited citizens is paving the way to
large prospective results that will grow
out of irrigation enterprises within. the
state. Ten years is a short time for
educational, experimental and survey
purposes, and even should the sscre-
tary of the interior loan our $3,500DO0,
OF any considerable portion of it; to
Arizona, for instance, it will all be
back in the treasury, together with
perhaps as much more that in the
meantime will have accumulated, for
North Dakota to use ten years hence,
/ if she is ready for it,
Let us get ready to use it then if we
are not prepared to use it now. re-
peat, ten years is brief period when
! the vastness of the enterprise and the
numerous obstacles involved in irriga-
ton schemes are taken into considera-
ton. Time is really no barrier. We
must learn to build for the future.
We are too prone to subordinate the
future welfare of the country to our
present qualifications. This genera
ton is too much inclined to rob the
soil of its fertility, denude the forest
of timber and loot the earth of oil and
minerals, for present wealth, without
thought of decent concern whether
posterity is left valuable heritage or
not. 1t is unpatriotic to do SO.
In the matter Of irrigation, we must
build for the future and, to get the
work intelligently inaugurated, lay the
foundation npon ascertained premises,
which ce1 only be determined from in
vestigat1ons made within the state.
The present agitation will prove ex-
~sedingly helpful. but investigational
and educational forces must also be
enlisted.
1t is safe to presume that funds will
| be available for irrigation schemes the
moment we have demonstrated the
question of feasibility, and our farm
ers are willing to accept the benefits
arising therefrom and are willing to
assume the obligations that are Incl
dent thereto The question of profit,
| therefore, is the major one, and that
! question must be determined by the
farmer. 1t is not an easy one to an
swer. The state and the federal gov
eminent should come to the farmers
aid in determining the relative cost
and the relative advantages that may
arise from irrigation in North Dakota.
Otherwise, that unanimity of move
ment and cooperation, so necessary in
a great undertaking. may be wanting.
The sooner the preliminary work is
done the better. While the irrigation
projects of our state may not be among
the easiest or most imperative, they
are yet unquestionably great; and if,
in the judgment of the secretary of the
interior, North Dakota is not in line
for first aid. let us get ready to use it
at the earliest possible date. w.
In the meantime let US agitate, edu-
cate and investigate. @y,,<#.,
. I'll