New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-08
RETALIATION OF STERILE LANDs

From citations made by Forestry and Irri
Cation IL appears that the Department of Agri-
culture in Washington is cooperating energat
ically with another branch of the national gov
eminent in retaining the arid lands of the
West Secretary Wilson has sent EXPERT bota-
nists over nearly the whole earth in search
of useful plants which can he made to grow
with limited supply Of wafer Although the
hunt is still in progress. it has already yielded
excellent results. 1t is believed for instance
that the so-caled macaroni wheat can be made
70 yield from fifteen 10 thirty bushels an acre
IN regions in which ordinary wheat and corn
VIII not grow. a large fraction OF a million
square miles" is adapted to that one crop. ac-
cording 10 Mark A. Carleton cereal specialist
OF the Bureau OF Plant Industry. He declares
that other grains and numerous forage plants
have been discovered which should yield hand
sOmely with small amount Of moisture GUY
Elliott Mitchell points out in the periodical lust
mentioned that improved methods OF cultivat
ing the soil have come into vogue in Western
Kansas and Nebraska which encourage the
hopes of those who are engaged in reclamation
work. BY what is known as the Campbell
system" all Of the moisture which comes In the
form OF rain is conserved in the upper stratum
Of earth. and luKuriant crops are obtained
where the annual precipitation does not exceed
fifteen inches. The author of this plan OF dry
L8fmlng n comment ttai IL can be extended
ito the foot of the Rockies
Irrigation is at present conducted on a large
scale in this country under State and private
auspices. Scarcely less than SlOOOOOOOO had
been spent on works that serve that purpose
prior 20 1902. However, the work done by the
federal authorities under the Reclamation act
should soon begin 20 bear fruit The measure
received executive sanction nearly three years
ago and the Secretary Of the Interior very
properly Entrusted both surveys and the con-
struction Of dams 10 the Geological Survey.
one OF the first enterprises undertaken was in
Nevada, and its formal initiation is expected
10 occur next June. To more than a dozen
other projects OF the same character the gov
eminent S. now committed. These involve the
redemption OF ]. lSl 600 acres and an outlay Of
So, 600. Yet, after all they viii constitute
only a beginning. II Is believed that 50OO0O0O
acres. within the limits thirteen States and
three Territories, win eventually be made avail
able 20 che settler under the provisions Of this
beDefcent piece Of legislation. Primarily, Of
course, seekers after homes in a new farming
region win be the chief benenciaries and &c is
expected that more than 100000 farms win thus
be opened mp 20 occupation. By the increase in
the vslue OF taxable property within their Dor
ders sixteen States and Territories win also
derive an advantage from the scheme.
The hnsncinI feature OF the reclamation work
Of the national government has been somewhat
misunderstood. Il has been thought that the
Eastern farmer was going % be taxed, indirect
" II not directly. for the benefit OF his Western
-1zlnnttor. Well, that supp0Etion Is entirely