The state herald., 1904-11-04

good land, however, which lies too high
To be thus reached, and these lands, II ir
rigatcd at all, must be supplied by some
form of pumping device or from artesian
source. AS the water flows down the
steep river channels it eau 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 to develop all pswer possible and
utilize this in irrirating the higher lands
by means of pumping. Another problem
is that of discovering the quantity and
quality Of the underground waters and
devising means by which these may be
brought to the surface. IL not too saline
for agricultural purposes Thus the
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.
| some Tedious Work for Uncle fam.
arid region have in many instances been
appropriated and put to use by private
enterprises, leaving for the government
only the large, difficult or involved pro-
jects. II is not possible anywhere to
find ideal conditions, and although far
reaching results are to be accomplished,
these will be achieved only after great
skill and tact have been brought to
bear.
Criticism will be launched against the
government by the uniformed. because
OF the apparently slow progress in the
development OF great irrigation projects.
In all cases II should he remembered
that nearly all OF such undertakings in-
yolve the application or trial OF new
methods and devices and the dealing with
considerable numbers Of persons who are
private owners of land under such pro-
posed irrigation projects. 1t will be seen
that the work requires not merely skill,
| hut time.
In the execution of the work. II is nee
essary TO utilize lands. rights Of way or
privileges owned by individuals. Many
Of these can he acquired by purchase;
others must be condemned by process OF
| law. 1t Is not desirable To begin CON
demnation proceedings until all possible
efforts have been exhausted to bring
about a fair and business like sale, AZ 1t
is essential to secure and maintain the
good will of the community. IL is n
/ better policy not To force matters. but
even 10 risk some delay, rather than
by main strength To bring about reforms
which will be appreciated only after
many years.
National Irrigation for Private Lsuds.
As stated. Uncle Sam still owns from
one-half to nine-tenths OF the area OF
each OF the Western States and terri
tories affected by President Roosevelt's
National Irrigation Act. lie is the big
land owner and will always remain the
proprietor Of the great mountain areas
covered mainly with trees. and from
which come the waters essential To the
life OF agriculture. Much Of the best
land In the valleys has already passed
into private ownership aud along almost
every stream i continuous succession
ai claims taken up under the Homestead
or Desert Land law.
The public land. as u rule. Is the bench
land adjacent To the valley. Nearly every
scheme for the reclamation Of govern.
mcnt land must of necessity involve the
irrigation Of land now In private own
crshlp. The provisions Of the law are
snch that the land owned by individuals
can bc irrigated In small tracts not TO
exceed 100 acres. that being the amount
allowed for each individual. The law
has been So framed ~ To require CON
tlnnous residence on and cultivation OF
the land: whether originally In private
or public ownership. the chief purpose
being. of course. 60 bring about imme-
dlaiely q dense settlement In small. self.
sustaining farms
The projects already agreed upon en-.
brace all extremes from those where
nearly all Of the land Is Ia public own.
cfship. ~ those where most II the land
Is nj present owned by Individuals. In
the latter ease the lands are now for tho
most part vacant. cultivation having bcri
attempted with an inadequate supply
Of water. mud failure was the result. if
the land In private ownership We're al.
ready irrigated. there would. Of course,
he No need OF governmental Interference.
hut In u majority OF Instances settlers
have come In with good faith aud tried
10 max. homes, In any event. whether
they have or not. they can now obtain
water under the law only by residence
and cultivation IN small tracts. thus
bringln. nbou, the Intent of the National
Irrigation Act.
iadts ,duai Home Noiidsrs.
Whenever project for reclamation Of
government land il declared 10 b. feast.
hlc. public lands under II are immediate.
J. taken up under III. terms Of th.
homestead Law. aud by the time the
work. ar, completed the land il nearly
always IN private ownership. Thus.
whatever the initial condition may be.
whether III. arid land was owned al hr-,
b, the government or by individuals. the
result. nr. the .ame-ths establishment
of homes upon small farms.
! Where the land holdings In III. hands
of all Individual Or corporation ar. large.
water far these cannot b. obtained until
they sr. -uiJivlied aud disposed Of In
small tracts 10 actual settlers, Such
occupants must reside continuously foe
trr years. NJ least. upon the land aud
low the other. The chloride OF silver
paper makes possible n standard OF