Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-04-28
Conquest 81 "a. Great
American Desert


vi dl4 TIC ACdLuEGS al COuueCllOu
with irrigation upon which a campaign
Of education is demanded, the proper
use Of water is most important. Sta
hstics 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-
ducttve and valuable as land adjoin-
Ing where water has been intelligently
and properly applied. Our Western
ern farmers who decide to immigrate
to milder climate, where rich, pro-
ductive soil awaits filling.
They have heard Of irrigation and
when needed, thereby incuring against
drought, is a 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
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
Rrtfir, grain vi" grasses, fasio1. crops of
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 any
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
irrigationist, whose duties would be
confined to instructing users Of water
In it's intelligent distribution. Canal
and irrigation companies could not
make a more profitable investment
than to have in their employ an Off
cial 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 at one time, to cover
his land to depth Of nine feet, when
his contract with the canal company
calls for only one-fourth Of this guam
hty? Furthermore, 1t Is acknowledged
by all that one-fourth 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 it Is
too late that his land is ruined and his
efforts have been for naught. He will
probably seek a 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
90 much in excess of the benefits re-
| reived. can be reclaimed and made ex-
tremely productive and valuable.
It is the irrigauonist under this
| method of whom we have the most
fear. He Is absolutely master Of the
situation; he owns his plant, can op
crate it when he sees fit, and is not
subject to even caution Or suggestion
from any company from whom water
Is purchased. It Is true the expense
Involved in coal, wood, gasoline, oil
or other fuel may check him to a 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
La device Of this character purpose do
Ing? Start his machine In operation
let 1t run night and day. flooding his
land until ruined? Or viii he exercise
ndgment-deliyer his water into res