Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-08-07
Plan on Foot to Utilize
Old Power Plant.
DOUBLE SOIL PRODUCTION
G. I. Brown Representing Morris
Brothers Here Negotiating
with Property Owners.

g. 1. Brown of Keyport, N. j.,
vice. president of the Jersey Central
Traction Co.. has been 10 the city the
past week looking over the old power
plant at the foot of Fifth street and
ascertsining the feasibility of an ir-
rigation project having for its purpose
the watering of from 1000 to 250O
acres along on this side of Rogue
River, by utilizing this old power
plant, which for many years was used
in pumping water for city use.
The plan as at present outlined is
to pump water from Rogue River to
an elevation and in sufficient volume
to irrigste, to start with, about 1900
acres of land. The power facilities
at present are ample to furnish flow
equal to depth of IL ..inches of
water. This would thoroughly irri-
gate at least the 1900 acres ON basis
of 100 days for the irrigatipg season.
Mr.. Brown has made very careful
estimate Of the increased yield which
can be realized by placing this land
under irrigation. taking alfalfa as the
crop basis, at $120, 600 per annum
more than ia now raised on this same
land. While this may at first glance
seem an enormous increase it is sus
ceptible of the strongest proof and
merits the careful consideration of
every property owner who may come
under the proposed ditch. If onions,
cabbage, or any other vegetable, or
any of the fruits were raised on this
land under irrigation instead of al
f,lfs. the increase 10 the value Of the
yield would be perhaps double the
above figure, to say nothing of the vast
ly increased market value of the land.
The old power plant is not the
property of the Rogue River Watsr
company as is popuiarly supposed
bat belongs TO Morris Brothers of
Portland, with whom Mr.. Brown was
identified in connection with the
operation of the water plant here
some years since About seven years
ago plau similar to the one Me-.
Brown now suggests was presented
but owing to the indifference of those
who would have besu most henef tied
by its inauguration and, perforce,
should have taken a mo.t active in
terest in the enterprise, the project
wa' abandoned and the pumps sold,
not Notwithstanding that over $1,000 had
been spent in preliminary surveys
for the ditch.
Since talking with = number of tn,
farmers and orchsrdists who would be-
affected by this ditch, Mr.. Brown ex
presses himself as very hopeful as tC
the final outcome of present plans
aud in fact expects within the coming
month to have the project well unde
way. Since irrigation is one of til,
imperative needs of this section of tht
Rogue River valley if this s-ctior
shall prodace anywhere mar wa
the soil is capable of, there suou Il
not be the slightest hesitancf nn thu
part of any orchardist or gardener il
taking hold of this irrigation projec
at once.
There are few who contend tina
they can raise enough without irrigs
ton in josephine coonty snd Will
il is remarkable the amount Of froi
of all kinds, grain and hay whicl
may be raised without the aid of ir
rigstion, it is infinitely more remark
able when the increased yield unde
irrigation is considered. The NOR
progressive orchardists, gardeners an,
farmers are already aware that III
adoption of irrigation in this section
means besides q double or threbe
yield. almost the certainty of maxi
mum crop each year, to tay Lothin
of the greatly increased market valu
Of the land.
Mr.. Brown will be here couple O
weeks before returning east. Durin
his brief stay he has noted many in
provements 10 Grants Pass as well q
the surrounding country since be va