Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-11-12
IRRIGATION CONGRESS
Many Nations Interested In
Gathering at Albuquerque.
WILL SEND EXPERT ENGINEERS
Possibilities of Artificial Watering of
Arid Lands Will Be Set Forth.
Large Irrigation Projects to Be Dis
played In Lines of Fire.


have been added to the national
wealth by the artificial watering of
arid lands will be set before the pub
lie at the sessions of the national irri-
CATION congress to be held at AL
buquerque, n. NJ. This will be the
greatest gathering of irrigation eX-
perts ever known, In the opinion of
those who are familiar with the per
sonnel of the delegates and official Wis
itors, and it will certainly be a re
markabe demonstration of the Won
derful change that is going on through
out the west.
Irrigation has been practiced in a
number of countries, but the undertake
ings in the west are on such n colossal
scale and the methods are so novel
and modern that the accomplishments
of engineers in the United States are
attracting attention all over the world.
Acting on the belief that valuable in
formation is to he obtained, Germany
will send its chief engineer to the com
ing sessions Of experts, and he will be
attended by at least six officials of the
department under his charge, says the
Chicago Rccord-Hcrald. The reason
for the strong representation from for
eign lands is that there are numerous
irrigation problems to bc solved in the
colonies owned by European nations.
and the delegates will not only hear
the views Of those who have had the
greatest amount of experience OF any
engaged in this class of work. but win
also visit Il number of large projects.
The French republic will also send
lis chief engineer at the head Of dele
cation of considerable size. France has
possessions in the north of Africa
where the value of irrigation is we'll
understood, although comparatively lit
tie has been done up to date to develop
the natural fertility of the soil in the
desert regions. The contrast between
the great fertility of the oases, where
water is to be had, ana the surrounding
country, which is arid, has formed one
of the best arguments for developing
lands in the west, where similar cond-
tions exist. yet, with the exception of
Egypt, there are few spots in northern
Africa where the necessary irrigation
works have been built. The develop
ment of fertility has been left to the
chance sprlnglng up of water in the
desert, and wherever the thirst of the
land has been quenched by nature col
onies have sprung up.
Every one Of the principal colonies
of Great Britain will be represented.
ii is promised. BY constructing an
enormous dam across the Nile British
engineers have controlled the overnows
of that historic river. But in addition
to what they have learned by them
selves these men are anxious to see
what has been done in the United
States, for there are several other spots
among the British possessions where
irrigation could be practiced with great
profit.
Brazil, Mexico and all of the princi-
pal South American republics have an
nounced their intention of having rep
resentatives at the congress, so all parts
of the world will be represented either
directly or through delegates from 9TH
er powers. Honolulu is to be well
represented. and men will come from
both the Philippines and Australia
Canada. which has numerous irrigation
projects, Is to send large delegation
The FilipinOs have arranged for a big
display which will show both the agri-
cultural products and the arts of their
country.
Exhibits Of tribal nature will be
one of the most interesting features of
the congress, for there is hardly tribe
of Indians that will not send display
illustrative of its handlcrafts. These
exhibits are not made for the purpose
.of showing collection of curioSitics
They are primarily TO prove that the
handiwork of the red men is some
thing that should he encouraged and
developed. The Indians say they in
tend to demonstrate that they were en-
gagged in irrigating the arid portions of
the west centuries before Columbus
set foot on American soil.
Some of the Indians have developed
remarkable dexterity in certain drec-
tions. They are to make big display
of woven goods, which, it is claimed,
will equal the needlework of the ma
jority OF white women. Looms will
be erected and the visitors will have
opportunities to watch them In oper-
alton. Navaioes will display the best
of their well known blankets. The
methods employed fl making pottery
and baskets, such as no white man
can duplicate, will be done under the
eyes of those who care to watch Ev-
crything manufactured by the Indians
is made for special purpose, and the
reason for the existence of all of the
articles shown will be made clear. No
one can remain long in the west with
out becoming interested to certain
extent in the unusual arts of the red
men. Some of the western people are
intensely interested In this subject.
and they are anxious that a similar
appreciation should spread to other To-
calities; hence they will see to it that
the Indians are given considerate
treatment
Another incidental feature of the
congress will be the display of fire
works on an unusually large scale.
Drawn in lines of fire several large
irrigation projects are TO be displayed
before the visitors. In order to accom-
plish this it will be necessary to have
the fireworks spread over n space 400
feet long. One evening the Elephant
Ruttn dam is RI no shnUD tOppthaf