Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-05-03
Conquest 81 "a. Great
American Desert
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SSEH


with irrigation upon which campaign
of education is demanded. the proper
use of water is most important. Sta
tistics 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 mildcr climate. where rich, pro-
ductive soil awaits tilling.
They have heard of irrigation, and
conceive the idea that to have water
when needed, thereby incuring against
drought. is a grand proposition, and
they are right in so thinking. but like
all good things. it must not be abused.
They come West, purchase 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 1t at any
and all times because 1t Is Mt 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
irrigationist, whose duties would be
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 a farmer or rancher to
sQuander enough water during sea-
son. If used Mt one time, to cover
his land to n depth of nine feet, when
his contract with the canal company
calls for only one-fourth of this guam
tity? Furthermore, it is acknowledged
by all that onefourth the quantity Is
ample to secure a crop. Is there any
excuse for the use of nine feet of wa
ter in one locality and only two feet in
another, where conditions are similar
and where the man using only two
feet raises larger and better crops?
The only excuse is negligence, lack of
intelligence and laziness. and the man
using nine feet will find when 1t is
too late that his land is ruined and his
efforts have been for naught. He will
probably seek new location and
damn the country he is leaving, when
no one is at fault except himself. The
irrigation Of land by means of pump
ing is now receiving marked attention,
and people are beginning to realize
that the vast area so located as to
make 1t impossible to irrigate by canal
systems, on account OF the cost being
SO much in excess of the benefits re-
ceived, can be reclaimed and made ex-
tremely productive and valuable.
1t is the irrlgationist under this
method of whom we have the most
fear. He Is absolutely master of the
situation: he owns his plant, can op-
crate 1t when he sees fit, and is not
subject to even caution or suggestion
from any company from whom water
Is purchased. 1t is true the expense
involved in coal, wood, gasoline, oil
or other fuel may check him to GER
tain extent in the operation of his
pumping plant. but devices have
proved practicable for pumping water
that require no fuel or expense In op-
Grafton. What does the possessor Of
device OF this character purpose do
ing? Start his machine in operation
let 1t run night and day, flooding his
land until ruined? Or will he exercise
judgment-deliver his water into res
ervoir, tank, box flume or other re-
ceptacle, and allow it to remain there
for use when needed, thereby proper
~ exempllfying the correct definition
of irrigation? He should provide his
head ditch with gates wherever later
ais occur, irrigate to-day five or ten
acres Of his land. refill his box, ditch
or reservoir by again setting his pump
at work while he sleeps. and to-mor-
row look after the irrigation Of some
other part Of the land. BY pursuing
some such policy one is not required
to invest in large and expensive
plant capable of discharging enough
water to flood all the land at one
time and can accomplish the proper
irrigation Mt minimum cost. r. w.
| Wilsey, in Denver Field and Farm.