Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-08-21
CROP or QAzS Rz1JED QW ZRRG43LE LAND NEAR.
 EH ZDTITn| ~DAT%T


 Not the least of the many national gatherings of the present year, both as to numbers in attendance and the importance of the matters to be dis cussed, will be the National Irrigation congress, which will convene in fif- teenth annual session at Sacramento, Cal. on the second day of September, and continue its business through five days. Irrigation has long since passed the experimental stage in the United States, and each year since the first congress was held has seen the in terest and attendance grow until now there is no section of the country scarcely but that is represented in the body. And not only will irriga- tion matters be discussed and the latest movements in the work be fully reported upon and encouragement giv- en to government and private irriga- tion enterprises, but there is to be practical ocular demonstration of the value of irrigation in the splendid ex- hibition of fruits and vegetables and grains grown upon lands which were formerly desert, and which have been transformed under the magic touch of the irrigation ditch
 In fact, this last will prove one of the most fascinating features of the congress. It is expected that every state in which there is irrigated land will send exhibitions of their products, and there will be sharp competition for the magnificent list of handsome and valuable trophies which have been offered. The management, under the leadership of Mir. w. A. Beard, of the executive committee, has an nounced that no less than 16 hand some gold and silver loving cups es- pecially designed and manufactured for the occasion will be offered for in- terstate competition by prominent men and business houses of Califor- mia and other states. The enthusi- asm for this event is increasing as the time for the opening O. the con gress draws near. Especially Is this true throughout the irrigated area, and the irrigation districts are preparing to send their best in order to cap ture some of the handsome prizes. In fact farmers on irrigated land are al ready preparing to forward their prize fruits, grains, and vegetables.
 All things point to the certainty that this will be the finest exhibition of the products of irrigated lands ever before made in the United States. and the Californians who will entertain the congress at Sacramento are pre- pairing as feature of the occasion a magnificent allegorical parade. which. If carried out along the lines now con templated. will be the finest pageant ever witnessed in all the great west.
 Among the numerous trophies and prizes which will be offered is a mag. nificent punch bowl of solid silver and massive proportions and exquisite workmanship, the gift of Baker & Hamilton. and presented as a prize for the best display of irrigated cereal products. It stands 15N inches in height and measures 13% inches in diameter across the top of the bowl. The decorative scheme is worked out in repousse hand work, illustrat- ing cereals grown on irrigated land. The minutest details of this feature of the design are yividly developed. the corn tassels and barley boards standing out in the most natural man ner. The artistic management of this effect reflects great credit upon the skill and taste of both the designer and the manipulator of the precious metal Inscriptions will be placed on medalions left plain on the exterior of the bowl for that purpose. Upon one of these will be wrought the official medal of the fifteenth National Irri- gation congress.
 Former Governor George c. Pardee, of California. who vas twice presi- dent of the congress. has offered a sii- yer lovingeup for interstate competi- ton in the exposition. The Pardee cup will be given for the best state ex- hibit of fruits grown by irrigation.
 The Pabst Brewing company has offered to the management of the con gross a $500 lovingeup to be hung up for interstate competition at the exposition. The Pabst cup will no doubt stimulate widespread interest and keen competition. Most of the irrigated states grow hops to some ex- tent; some are large producers and exporters.
 And 90 the list of trophies to be of- fered at Sacramento continues to grow. It now numbers no less than Ie handsome gold and silver loving cups and especially designed trophies, representing an aggregate cost of nearly t10.0o0. Competition is open to all states except California
 But in matter of attendance the con gress will De also noteworthy. Surely the term national" viII be strictly SD plicsble to the coming conclave as the romuarrfz1 onaf fha a~rsru1fur.I