Bridgeton pioneer., 1908-07-09
NEW IRRIGATION PLAN
Farmers to Aid Government In
RecIaiming Arid Lands.
DIG OWN BRANCH CANALS,
How Settlers and Engineers Coop
crate In Big Enterprise-system Aids
In Promoting Harmony and Hurryins
Completion of Tasks In Hand.

:"
Completion of Tasks In Hand.
4 new step ia the extension of the
huge government works for the recla-
nation OF the arid western lands that
has recently been introduced with ev-
cry prospect of added success is co
operation between the farmers and the
United States engineers. by which the
former dig their own branch canals.
bringing the water to their lands so
much the earlier.
The first tryout Of the plan is in the
Minidoka irrigation project in Idaho,
where the farmers have undertaken TO
excavate 100000 cubic yards of earth
in the extension of lateral bitches. All
that the farmer has to have is team
OF horses and a strong back, and it en-
ables those who have gone west with
little money to get a substantial start.
The work is paid for in certificates of
ten dollar denominations, which the
government agrees to accept in pay
ment for water rights,
c. ]. Blanchard, statistician of the
United States reclamation service, in
passing through Chicego the other day
on his way west, where he VIII take
official cognizance of the results of the
first years tilling of the erstwhile bar
ren lands, told of the benefits, says the
Chicago Post, that already have fol
lowed the cooperative plan and of the
results assured from its extension
.'The immediate work which the gov.
ernment is able to perform in the
prosecution Of the general irrigation
plan will be increased one-third," said
Mr. Blanchard, "by allowing the farm
ers who have settled these new lands
to turn in their labor instead of their
money.
While the government has a S40.-
100000 fund invested in this reclama.
ton undertaking, a large sum in the
aggregate, but none too big wheD
spread over the large field of opera
dons, the limit of capacity has been
nearly reached, SO that the work can
progress in certain directions only as
fast as the money returns to the fund
from those sections where the irriga-
and the settlers have begun to repay
In annual installments the cost of the
works.
But while the original plan contem-
plated the prosecution of all the wor'
by the government forces. to be paid
for by the benefciaries In the follow
ing ten years, the gain Is so much
greater when the people most inter
ested can step in and actually do part
of the work The farmers gain be-
cause In many instances they can Civ
their services better than make money
payments, and they get the water just
SO much sooner.
at must be understood at the outset
that the government does not issue the
certificates with which the water users
are paid for their work. The govern
ment accepts certificates for the work
performed, but they are issued by an
incorporated association Of the water
users themselves.
This question came up in Washing
ton at the time that the currency meas
ure was under consideration, and be-
fore the system was explained the
question was asked, What is the use
Of the currency bill If the government
can issue scrip?
'tIn the Minidoka project there are
some 25,oO0 to 10000 acres that will
be watered now by the cooperative
method. The plan has recently been in
troduced in the Milk river project in
Montana, where an area equally large
Will be watered In the same way.
THE government in this matter has
followed the precedent established by
many private irrigation companies
which have found the plan eminently
successful. There is still another and
most important advantage certain Il
result.
when you turn water into big new
farming region Of 100000 acres or so
well settled by home seekers, many o,
whom are strangers to the country ant
even to agricultural pursuits, you ar,
bound to have disagreements unles.
you can get them working together /,
some common undertaking.
"The question Of water rights hal
given rise to more disputes than almos
any other one thing. Here is an oppor
tunity for them all to take a hand II
the work, to become interested in tn
success of The undertaking as a whole
as well as to gain employment wher
many otherwise would be idle, waitin;
for the water to make crops possible. -
New Variety Of Wheat.
For years E 2 House of Craolox