The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-05-20
lrrieation, Forest Pres.
ervation and Mainte.
nance of Waterways
Among Topics to Be Con.
sidered.

P00AAS AAAS N~~ Wv ~
Of irrigation, for instance. In the east
there is comparatively little realization
Of its Importance. But reclamation of
the American deserts means the foun-
dalton OF new Industrial empires and
provision of new territory for our teem-
ing millions. The Carey act has been
described as the new birthright Of
American citizens" Its purpose was to
enable a man Of modest means to Sc
cure q farm and home and make the
farm pay for ftseh while supporting
the family. Congress has passed few
laws which in their working out have
conferred more benefit on the country
than this, and its good effects are only
just beginning to be realized generally.
The possibilities In the direction of peo-
ping these deserts with a busy and
prosperous population are Just begin
ming to be understood. As an instance
Of the operation Of the law the condi-
lions in southern Idaho may be cited.
1t Is about three years since irrigation
was begun In n tract in this part Of
Idaho embracing some 100000 acres.
It vas an uninhabited sage plain in
1901. Now the entire tract has been
fled upon by settlers numbering from
1900 to $4,000 people. Main street,
Twin FAlls, in the center Of this &C.
ton, has the appearance Of a street in
a long established city. Cars Of house
hold goods arrived during the present
spring at the rate of ten q day. Some
Of the homes in the district look like
houses in the fashionable suburbs of
the large cities, they are 80 up to date
tn architecture and surroundings. Twin
Falls has electric lighting and sewer
and water systems. fire department
and telephone system, banks, churches
and hospital and several fine school
buildings, costing $4,000. All this
exists where there was nothing three
years ago. And this Is but a sample Of
what is going on through the reclamn-
tion Of the deserts Of the west
Farming on irrigated land Is in many
respects m ideal occupation. Much Of
the drudgcry Of old fashioned farm
life Is eliminated. There are no
droughts and no crop failures. The
sunshine which makes all vetegation,
when watered. grow to the highest per-
lection is not interrupted by days OF
clouds when once the growing seaso
begins. More than 800 days Of sun
shine q year are the rule In southern
Idaho, and It Is a rare day in any sea
son when the sun does not show his
70 an D0tro IN MT {r%o~H0vo with
blowing. planting, cultivation or har-
vesting. Each farmer. by controlling
the irrigating system Of his own farm,
controls the growing and perfecting Of
his crops. Irrigation has removed from
the business Of farming It's uncer-
tainty.
The preservation Of the forests is a
matter intimately connected with irri-
cation and with the maintenance Of in
ternal waterways IS highways Of COM
merce. The governments chief forest
er, Clifford Pinchot. whose enthusiasm
in the cause of the trees has been in
auential In securing a well organized
national system for their protection
and culture, will be prominent in the
doings Of the conference. It is said
that the United States Is now making
inroads upon its forests at the aston
lshing rate Of 1OO.OOlO0Q0m hoard feet
a year. The annual growth Is not in
excess Of 40.OOO.OOOOOO feet. This
makes the net annual drain upon the
forests 6A.OOO.OOO,OOO feet, and at this
rate in about thirty years. unless the
system Of protection to the forests is