The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-06-17
Conquest q me Great
American Desert
S5S&Sse
The Bad Use of Water.
Chicago Tribune.

| Inc bau Use OF water
OF ali the features in connection
with irrigation upon which a campaign
of education Is demanded, the proper
use Of water Is most important. Sta
ttstics show that more water is wasted
In conducting irrigation than Is actu-
ally utilized. Many an acre Of land
has been absolutely ruined by excess
i've water, which might become as pro-
ductive and valuable as land adjoin-
Ing where water has been intelligently
and properly applied. Our Western
country is fast being settled by East
ern farmers who decide to immigrate
to a milder climate. where rich, pro-
ductive soil awaits filling.
They have heard of irrigation, and
conceive the idea that to have water
when needed, thereby incuring against
drought, is grand proposition and
they are right in so thinking, but like
all good things, 1t must not be abused
They come West, purchase a tract of
land under some canal, or adjacent to
some stream, from which water can
be elevated by the pumping process,
and because they have all the water
they can use, permit it to run to waste
upon the land, often keeping it flooded
and thereby raising inferior crops of
fruit, grain or grasses, and gradually
bring to the surface all the salt sub
stances In the soil, forever running
what had the promise of making an
ideal farm or ranch.
The proper definition of irrigation Is
to insure having moisture or water
when needed, and not to use it at anv
and all times because it is at command
Therefore, users Of water must be ed
ucated either by experience or instruc-
ton, and every irrigated section should
employ an experienced and practical
lrrlgadonist, whose duties would he
confined to instructing users of water
In its intelligent distribution. Canal
and irrigation companies could NOT
make more profitable Investment
than to have In their employ an Off
clal whose duties should consist in
constantly comforting with and in
structing water users as to how and
when water should be applied
Is there any excuse in an irrigated
district for farmer or rancher n
sQuander enough water during q soa-
son, II used at one time to cover
MS land to depth Of nine feet whom
MS contract with the canal comnanv
calls for only one-fourth of this ouan-
THY? Furthermore, it Is acknowledged
by all that one-fourth the QUANTITY 10
ample to secure a crop. Is there anv
excuse for the use Of nine feet Of wa
ter In one locality and only two feet IN
another, where conditions Arc sini,o.
ana where the man using ONLY two
Ieet raises larger and better crors ,
Inc only excuse Is negligence, lack NJ
and laziness, and the n,on
using nine feet will find when II T.
100 late that his land Is ruined and his
eHorts have been for naught, Ho will
PROBABLY seek new location and
damn the country he is leaving vbon
no one Is at fault except himself Tbo
irrigation of land by means of nrn,o
Ing Is now receiving marked atton+Iar
and people are beginning to reoIiza
that the vast area so located as to
make 1t impossible to irrigate nv coro1
systems, on account of the cost hotnn
So much in excess Of the BENEFITS ~
eelVed' can be reclaimed and mado oy
tremely productive and valuable
1t is the irrigationist under +,,.
method of whom we have tho mnst
rear He Is absolutely master Of tho
he owns his plant can an
crate 1t when he sees fit, and 10 ~
SUBJECT to even caution or sugppst4on
from any company from whom woton
Is purchased. 1t is true the exnonsa
involved In coal, wood, gasoline otI
or other fuel may check him r. w.
.am extent in the operation Of his
plant, but devices bono
proved practicable for pumping wotoe
mat require no fuel or expense in ~
What does the possessor ps
oeVlee OF this character purpose d.
mgr start his machine in operatfon
et 1t run night and day, flooding h.
ana until ruinedf Or will he exerc n.s
uuSment-deiiVer his water into 9 20.