Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-10-27
MIX FELLOWS SAYS WEST
HAS GREAT FUTURE
STATE ENGINEER FELLOWS en-
ENTHUSIASTICALLY WRITES OF
NoRTH DAKOTA.

lions were made of the Knife, Green
4 Muddy, Cherry Greek, Cannonball
Grand. and other valleys and I have
been agreeably surprised to find the
small irrigation possibilities so numer
Gus and SO promising, Along all the
valleys studied there are many beauti
full fats and meadows, lying at eleva
lions Of but a few feet above the water
which might be supplied with water at
reasonable cost, thus insuring hitherto
unheard of crops every year. was
gratffed, too, ito see the interest that
IS being displayed in the subject by
the more progressive farmers. A mum
Der OF them are planning to water
their valley tracts as soon as they can
get around to it, and I believe that
several of them Will be ready next
year. In few instances the example
of men in other states will be followed
in purchasing traction engines that
will plow the owners land, thresh his
and his neighbours 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 aneminent sue
cess where it has been intelligently
tfollowed, and there is no reason why
1t would not do the same in this state
where the soil is unsurpassed, the
facilities for stock raising, are un-
equaled, coal is so abundant, the rail-
roads are so ready to get the farm
products to market, and where all con-
ditions, in short, are 50 favorable.
In q number of cases few farmers
could combine together to great adj
vantage, If they only would, thus
lessening the cost per acre to each.
This would be following the general
custom of irrigating countries, that of
combining in community bitches. It
IS the method which has made such
|districts as Greeley, Colo, Provo, Utah,
and - many others what they are today.
In few instances am Of the opin-
ion that the United States reclamation
service would be glad to take hold and
construct the reservoirs, dams, and
canals needed il the people to be bene-
fted would take the initiative and
show their willingness to combine un-
der the conditions OF the reclamation
act. Where there are Ave thousand
to fifteen thousand acres Of land,
economi cally iTrigable by means OF
storage and the proper control, such
mbinations could readily be made to
the greatest possible advantage Of all
concerned. It is generally well under.
stood that the government cannot CON
struct projects where the land has
passed into private ownership, without
the invitation and cooperation Of the
people. This 10 q condition that pre-
walls universally in this state. and it
Is IN this state too, that the reclama-
ton service is most anxious to con-
struct feasible projects, since North
Dakota has contributed more than any
other state to the national irrigation
fund. Under the terms of the act,
however. even the major part Of the
money that comes from this or any
other state does not necessarily have
70 be spent within It's borders, but the
sscretary Of the interior wishes to SO
use It in case the people want it. This
puts 1t up to the citizens themselves.
The government officers cannot be
blamed for not expending. money in
this state IL no feasible projects within
the province OF the reclamation act
are presented
My trip was concluded by visit to
the Lower Yellowstone Project cover
| ing a portion OF the Yellowstone valley
in Montana and North Dakota now un.
der construction. It was a source Of
1 great qualification to me to see the ali
OF prosperity everywhere apparent ii
this region, and the hopes OF the future
that are being shown. This should be
4 rich and prosperous region within a
few years, and the same will be true
OF the region about Williston In case
the proposed projects IN that locality
are really undertaken. Every projec
OF this kind will form the nucleus from
which prosperity can raddate, as Il
were, over the surrounding country
inJur1ng no one, but benefting all.
It may be Of interest in this con
nection to state that there has no
been q day up to the present time
when work could not be carried on AMI
that until the second week Of Octobe,
fresh vegetables could be found In al
the gardens passed. It was not unit
well into the month OF October that
felt any especial need Of clothing an,
heavier than my summer outfit. Tha
speaks pretty well for North Dakota
Very truly yours,
"A. L. Fellows,