The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1905-11-04
MR.. FELLOWS SAYS WEST
HAS GREAT FUTURE

HAS GRtAI tUlUKt
Stats Engineer Fellows Enthusiastic icaily
Writes Of North Dakota.
Editor Tribune: The reconnaissance
survey of the irrigation possibilities of
Western North Dakota undertaken by
me dhring the past season was con-
cluded on the 25th. Special examina-
tions were made of the Knife, Green,
Muddy, Cherry Creek, Cannon Ball,
Crane, and other valleys. and | have
been agreeably surprised to find the
small irrigation possibilities so numerous
and sopromising. Along all the valleys
studied there are many beautiful flats
and meadows, lying at elevations of
but a;few feet above the water, which
might be supplied with water at reason
able cost, thus insuring hitherto un-
heard of crops every year. was
gratifed, too, to see the interest that
is being displayed in the subject by
the more progressive farmers. A num-
Der Of them are planning to water their
valley tracts as soon as they can get
around to it, and believe that several
of them will be ready next year. In
few instances the example of men in
other states will be followed in purchas-
ing traction engines that will plow the
| owners land, thresh his and his neigh
bors grain, run feed mill, and pump
water for hundred or more acres of his
land at the proper times. This business
way Of doing things has proved to be an
eminent success where it has been intel
|ligently followed, and there is no reason
why it would not do the same in this
state where the soil is unsurpassed, the
facilities for stock raising are unequalled,
coal is so abundant, the railroads are SO
ready to get the farm products to market
and where all conditions, in short, are so
favorable.
In number of cases few farmers
could combine together to great advan-
tage, if they only would, thus lessening
the cost per acre to each. This would
be following the general custom of irri:
eating countries, that Of combining in
community bitches. 1t is the method
: which has made such districts as
Greeley, Col, Provo, Utah, and many
! others what they are today.
In few instances am of the opinion
that the United States reclamation ser
: vice would be glad to take hold and
construct the reservoirs, dams anc
, canals needed if the people to be bene
fitted would take the initiative and show
: their willingness to combine under the
conditions of the reclamation act
E Where there are five thousand to fifteer
thousand acres of land, economically
: irrigated by means of storage and th'
! proper control, such combinations coule
!. readily be made to the greatest possible
: advantage to all concerned. 1t is gen
orally we'll understood that the govern
ment cannot construct projects wher
the land has passed into private owner
ship, without the invitation and co
I operation OF the people. This is a con
dition which prevails universally in thi
t. state, and it is in this state, too, that tn
e reclamation service is most anxious
b construct feasible projects, since Mort
d Dakota has contributed more than an
IS other state to the national irrigatio
" fund. Under the terms of the act, how
z ever, even the major part of the none
ot that comes from this or any other state
A. does not necessarily have to be sper
'e within its borders, but the secretary {
4 the interior wishes to so use it in cas-
:" the people want it. This puts it up
the citizens themselves. The govern
ment officers cannot be blamed for ne
expending money in this state if n
ID feasible projects within the province (
Sc the reclamation act are presented.
le My trip was concluded by a visit
y the Lower Yellowstone project coverin
is portion of the Yellowstone valley
ie Montana and North Dakota now undt
, construction. 1t was source of gre;
; qualification to me to see the air of pro
e perity everywhere apparent in tn
IS region, and the hopes of the future tn;
q are being shown. This should be ric
le and prosperous region within fe
q years, and the same will be true of tt
: region about Williston in case the pr
~ posed projects in that locality are reall
II undertaken. Every project of this kin
& will form the nucleus from which pro
H. perity can radiate, as it were, over Il
surrounding country injuring no one, b,
s benefting all:
S. 1t may be of interest in this come
ofl ton to state that there has not been
n day up to the present time when wol
C. could not be carried on, and that unit
lie the second week of October fresh veg
n tables could be found in all the gardel
fe noccad Ii xuac not until well into ii