Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-07-13
Especial correspondence to Morning Journal

Spokane. Wash, July io.-supply-
ing moisture to semi-arid and desert
lands by artificial means. one of the
problems Of worldwide importance
to be discussed by experts at the 18th
sessions ut the National irrigation con-
gress in Spokane, August 2 TO IA, was
practiced by the A%rabians. Egyptians,
Assyrians and Chinese long before the
advent of solomon and il has since
formed a part Of the agriculture of the
countries bordering IN the Mcditerra-
mean sea. The ancient art had its
origin in America in prehistoric
times, by the Pueblo Indians, who in
habited portions of what are now New
Mexico and Arizona. and their descen-
dents were still cultivating the lands
when the first Spanish colonists came
from the south. several centuries ago.
\ eensus today would show fully
25O,O farms in the United states I'M
der bitches. watering more than 49,
600. 600 acres of hnds. Colorado leads
IN the number Of acres irrigated, Cali
fornia has the largest number OF irri-
gators. while Washington has the
greatest percentage in the number OF
~.irrigators. The science is also prac-
ticed in Canada. England, France. It.
ally. Japan. the Argentine, South Am
erica, Algeria, Austria, Switzerland
Belgium. Denmark, India. spain and
Scotland. II is estimated that more
than 75.000.0 900 acres are under irri-
cation throughout the world.
1Y4M..w,- ~n..rTs Thar tine N1 Hoy of
March. in Arabia. was supplied With
water drawn rom a reservoir mad'
by a dam l20 feet in height and t"''
miles in length. This wall was con
~structed of hewn stones and lt re-
strained the swift current OF an i'm
portant stream for more than 2ooJ
vears. Mention is also made of the
canal OF the Pharaohs, connecting the
Red sea with Potassium Flood waters
Of the river were used To irrigate the
valley OF the Nile centuries before
and the plans Of Babylon We're it,
orally criss-crossed with canals son q
OF them hundreds OF miles IN length.
The Roman also operated vast syS-
TENS. while the Chinese supplied mo.
sture to their rice lands Toy artittci"l
FlHYn MS DNAbNE AlAt III EtAHHt 'NE
Normons settling on the shores 90.
the Great salt Lake in Utah. were the
first OF the English-speaking peorle
TO make a systematic application OF
n principles of Irrigation in the
west. They turned the waters of the
Na,s,atch mountain treams upon Their
holdings. the present site of SAT lake
civ. mastering the art aiitr Nt'rs a.
effort. Priests Of the eat MISSIONS
also made use 81 water oa the .Ands
no southern California, where t"aiA
may be seen the ruins Of ~pretentlous
works built by the Indians. Placer
goig miners In California utilized the
W.t.r from their bitches for irrisa-
ton turposcs ,
The result obtained in Utah and
california induced settlers i'm other
states and territories 20 Try the plan
small tracts of land were put I'M
der the bitches in Idaho. Washington
and oregon. The Indians in HE CLEAR
water country. ia Idaho. were the INST
In this part OF the country to use ar
tiflcially supplied moisture IA the cuI-
tfvttion OF craps Rev. Henry Il Spaui-
ding. who came TO the northwest Win
Dr. Nitrous whitman, mentioned TINS
fact in d.. e<irly letters 20 relatives lh
New f|n-'Pnd
less thar 10000 acres We're under
irrigation in the United states I'D 1872,
but during the next decade TIE acre.
age was Increased To l,0no-poo. The
federal census shows ~2,65lANl acres
On 81. farms under the ditch ia 1858.
the era doubling the following decade.
largely to the extension VI the
existing canals. \ special census in
1902 showed le6,00S farms with @
total OF s.o34.52s acres under irrisa-
Congress adopted the national r-
riration act that year. which saw the
beginning % the construction ot Work
the control OF the secretary 81
the Interior. the fund bciug derived
from the disposal OF reclaimed ana
The law provides that the cost az the
work il TO be apportioned to the land
and refunded 70 the government in TO.
tnstauments without Interest
TWenty-nve projects completed and
which the government is nov at work
VIII. when FUZZY developed add 2lsS.-
900 acres OF land to the crup-produc-
ing AGRA OF the United States while 10
others held IN allegiance until the eqm-
pIetion of the former. viii reclaim B.
greece acres making a total % s.
.sS.ooO acrfS reclaimed II "a cost %
s~lss.62l.000.
The largest u the projects in Wash
ingtou are 30 the Yakima valley. IS.
follows Sunnysidc. 9o.ooo acres eost
si.seo.00e. Teton. $4,000. cost slice
Gee wapato. leo.eee. COS, si.5oe.oeo
the Okanogan viii water s.ooo acres