The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1909-10-26
THIS YEARS DROUTH
STIMULATES INTEREST
Experiments Have Demonstrated
That Project is
Feasible

"You may not understand what a
wonderful growth of interest there Is
IN the irrigation idea on the west
side of the state" said a prominent
farmer and politician who came
dcwn TO the capital to see Ii ,ae could
favor his city in a contest for a state
agricultural school, but our people
have become enthused over the mat
ter. and this is especially true in the
three No Mans Land counties, and
also IN Harper. Woods. Woodward,
Ellis. Roger Mills and Dewey. The
big Woodward congress and the
light thrown on the probability of
Governmental aid. together with the
experiments Weich have proven 10
our people that the sugar beet. the
cantalOupe, the watermelon. potato
and other valuable semiarid products
under the influence of controlled
water, adds such zest to the cause
els to give us all hope the great day
for the northwestern section of the
state Is al hand. don't wish to be
quoted am but a farmer who has
served eighteen long. hard years in
The northwestern section of this
state In those eighteen years
have had seven partial crop failures
and one total have made money.
1t Is true, bur for some three or -four
years It was a case of being too poor
10 go elsewhere. ] know what Il IS
10 be without money or crop suiiici-
ent to feed the necessary stock (:
have ridden tie range TO get the
substance of life, and / know that n
We tlad water. water at the crucial
hour in our western Oklahoma coun-
tr5, the products Of our labor would
overwhelm even those acquainted
with products in the great irrigated
districts of Colorado, Idaho, Wash
ington and California
All Of One Mind.
And II does appear that the west
side agriculturists. aIter some years
OF doubt have all rushed to one posi-
ilcn That those r'en who have bat
tied for and attained success where
for a aalf century il was supposed
was fit only for the grazing purpose
Of cattlemen-that too. In only the
most favored seasons Of the year
Will continue in their effort TO Sc
cure state and governmental aid for
their ifrigating projects is not hard
TO determine
The great irrigated Arkansas river
valley of Colorado Is almost OF the
same soil formation as the counties
of northwest Oklahoma and the
sweep OF the Cimarron and Beaver
sivers. each with great fall. add 10
The possibilities OF water conserva-
tion Moreover. according to the
experts who reported TO engineers Of
irrigation experience. the task of
keeping water in the ground tanks
IS far less expensive in the Oklaho-
ma district as evaporation would be
much less in the summer season. be-
eanse Of the winds blowing favorablg
o our section of the conntrg.
dig Men Believers.
Such men as John Cerlach. recog.
nIzed as one OF the foremost bank
ers Of the state and who has been
tower OF strength in the making
of Woodward. now the metropolis Of
northwestern Oklahoma. a city pros.
uerous and possible Of great expan-
sion, are enthusiastic In demanding
that irrigation have immediate sup.
port.
In the big congress held at Wood
ward last week, Geflach was one 0l
the active participants and one OF
the boosters for a permanent and
active organization David p Ma
rum. another Woodward citizen and
former legislator Of more than local
renown. was also one OF the active
and hard working members OF the
congress and is quick to gel into
talking position with whOmsoeveF
will listen 10 the values 10 be se-
cured through scientific and con.
certed irrigation movement
Harper County Insists.
But II Is ufef IN Harplsr couniY
where lives Pfesldent Dick of the
irrigation society. that all farmers
business and professional men are
alive TO the advantages Of irrigation
Harper is the most favored Of all
Oklahoma counties. If the hand oil
nature or man could but tickle Il
with rain in the time for crop ma
turing. Located bfFween the Nc
! .siaIs : ssfip asla AS 0ssssl a l..i4.s
section Of the state. win the winds
from Texas and Kansas alternating
in sweeping is soil. Harper county
claims that irrigation means Il could
produce enough 10 supply he de
Fnands 0f ii4e entire state The irfI