Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-09-03

the amount 10 the credit Of the re-
olamaiion service at the close OF the
fiscal year 1905. will be si1,4il.512.95.
MANY PROJECTS AUTHORIZED.
Irrigation by the national govern
ment has been undertaken 10 recently
that its benefcent results have not
yet been felt. The secretary Of the
interior has authorized the construc-
zion Of many projects IN the states Of
California. Idaho Colorado. Kansas.
Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North
Dakota, oregon. South Dakota, Utah.
Washington and Wyoming and I'm the
territories Of Arizona, New Mexico and
Oklahoma.
THE first allotment for such con-
struction is about 81, al, 572g5. and
when this expenditure Is made Il will
bring under irrigation nearly 100000
acres II win be observed that the
cost OF the work now authorized Is
equivalent TO the estimated amount OF
the reclamation fund IN 1905. This viii
not. however, complete the work Il
will require some 800 000 900 In addition,
10 finish the projects now undertaken,
and when they are completed the total
amount Of land irrigated will be g.
200. 900 acres.
The secretary OF the interior has
under consideration additional projects
IN Arizona, California, Colorado. Idaho,
Montana, New Mexico. Nevada. Okla
homa, oregon, Utah. Washington and
Wyoming, which will cost about sl09.-
100000, and which, when completed, viii
bring under irrigation 100000 acres.
II WIN thus be seen that when the gov
eminent completes the work now under.
taken and IN contemplation. Il win
render arabic nearly 100000 acres at
q cost offa little more than 5000. 900 oo0
ITO prosecute the work which 70 has
undertaken and which lies before a.
the government VIII have IN hand. as
heretofore observed, nearly sii 800 600
In 1905 an amount sufficient 10 cover
the FIRST unit ~ cost OF project au-
thorlzed, and for thereafter prosecuting
the work. II win have the proceeds de-
rived from the future sales 81 the pub
l!o domain and the return from the land
Heretofore irrigated.
FOR PEOPLES BENEFIT
1T was the purpose OF the authors Of
The reclamation act that irrigation IN
dertaken by the national government
should not be entered upon for the benz
eft OF mere spectators II was their
purpose that the public domain ana
tho pT0oceds arising from its sale
should be appropriated absolutely aud
entirely for the benefit OF homeseekers.
The law wisely provides that the limit
Of area per entry upon the lands irri-
gable shall be restricted 10 what
would be reasonably required for the
support OF a family. IN order that the
entry man may enjoy the benefit Of
the law, actual and continued residence
on the land Is required.
1T Is obviously the purpose OF the
great measure. and Il Is one ~ its
most commendable features, 10 insure
homes. TO the greatest number OF per-
sons, and TO bring soil now sterile uu-
der a high state of cultivation and
productlveness. Tor their benefit and for
the benefit Of the entire country
IN PRELIMINARY STAGES YET.
Il believe that irrigation Is only iu
the preliminary stages OF los develop
ment IN the United states Much has
been done. ID is true There n. how.
ever, vast deal more 90 Doe accom-
pllshed There are MANY millions of
acres stlll lying within The amid ana
semi arid regions which are non-pr0-
ducilye. and which may n due time
he irrigated This area is OF indefinite
extent. II 10 Variousiy estimated at
from b0Oe0. 00o 10 100000 W acres.
OF course the acreage which may be-
irrigated viii depend bon q large degree
upon the quantity OF water which can
Ne stored IN the great reservoir svs-
tens 20 be established The best opin.
ion would seem tn indicate that Dr. ls
reasonably certain that sufficient water
may be obisued foy Iulgatug at least
5000. 900 acres. Twenty millions Of
acres OF this tremendous area fs Ect q
part Of the public domain. When th,
whole is brought under cultivation by
means Of Irrigation the wealth of th.
nation win BE- Increased {5QopoCoo1
NOT WORK OF a DAY.
This work cannot be accomplished
III day. and d viii probably not De-
done without some mistakes 10 RW
REQUIRE time. experience scientific
skiil. and large expenditure pf money
10 do IL. The filed is. indeed. a vast
one. and 70 invites our best euicay1r
While we are concerned particularly
With the extension uf the .rur.t.o.
service into he arid and sem-at.I
regions. ! believe ln dime % 800 b.
largely Increased in many other r0t-
tiOns Of the country. The waters u
many OF our rivers and streams out-
SIDE OF The arid and seml-Hfid areas.
will be raised and spread over mary
sections where the rainfall is uuae.-
tain ana where crops are occasionally
destroyed or reduced iu yield In cone
sequence. We can sc the limit o'
our arabic areas but We cannot see
the limit OF the demand OF our iucreas.
Ing population, nor the extent OF me
demand OF millions in forcg n countries
for American food supplies.
zone Of the great practical questions
In the future VIA be how 20 Increase
ana conserve the productive power OF
pur agricultural regions Scientific ir.
rigstion on broad lines viii De a factor
Of increasing future Importance boz
most Of The states and territories OF
The Union.
ut II important not only ID pro.
mote the interests of irrigation. but
there Is a correlated subje,t which 4
worthy 81 consideratlon. and that d
How shall We reinforce ana maintain al
IL hightsi eflciehcy thc productive
.~u,.r ~ the s0il1 Farming "A faef b..