The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-04-07

of the Indian reservations and the de- |
velopment of the cattle and sheep in
dustries in the valleys and plateaus |
of the Rocky Mountain region.
The completion of the transconti- !
mental railroads resulted in the slow
settlement of the Pacific States These
phases of development, coming slow
ly one after the other, then furnished
sufficient opportunities for the ener-
gies of the people. The highest devel-
opment of the West was delayed, how
ever, until it could have the sound
and permanent foundation of an en-
during agriculture, made possible in
the arid regions only by irrigation.
This development now is going on, and
therefore it is declared that the adj
vice of Horace Greeley is still sound
The millions of acres lying west of
the one hundredth meridian are near
ly all in broad sem1arid belt, once
called the Great American Desert.
The nearest approach to actual desert
conditions, however are to be found
only in such desolate regions as Death
Valley, the bad Lands" Great Salt
Lake Desert, and one or two other lin
tied areas. Compensation for the gen.
eral aridity is found in the charming
climate which prevails, for the most
part, throughout the vast dry region.
Whether on the plateaus or mountain
slopes or in the numberless valleys
the dry air and clear sunshine for
300 days out of the year give zest to
life and an ambition that nothing else
can impart.
The demand for reclaimed land is
permanent, as the market for good
supplies never can abate. Those who
are backing the development of the
neglected areas point out that the in
creasing population demands an ever
increasing amount of food and that
prices continually are rising. A GER
tain portion of the people must find
homes on the land and engage in ag-
ricultural pursuits in order that the
others may be fed without argument
and it also is pointed out that there
is a general movement from the city
to the country. In no other occupa-
len, now that science has Joined hands
with industry, can profits be calcu-
lated with greater certainty and reg
lularity than in the operation of an
Irrigated farm.
Irrigation, doubtless, has done more
than anything else during recent
years to stimulate the return to the
arm and the realization of the charm
of life in the open. A change from
urban to rural life is a natural re.
suit of the recent developments an(
discoveries of what is possible under
the new order of things. Great as the
movement to the West has been, how
ever, there is every indication that i
ture, for the stream of immigration
keeps up. The Carey act, under the
terms of which private capital may
: build irrigating works on public lands
! is far more liberal toward the settler
than the. reclamation act as regard.
entries, final proofs, and other provis
ions. This act, which now applies t.
all but one or two of the States anC
) Territories where arid conditions ar,
found, meets the requirements of fin
anciers who organize projects anC
favors those who wish to have theiI
homes established in the new coun
try before breaking ties in the old
Under this measure both capitals
} and settler are protected.
The city of Twin Falls, Idaho, il
one of the best instances of what /.
being accomplished under the Care,
act, for five years ago sage brush wal
growing where the streets and build
ings now are located. Today the pop
ulation of this city numbers 1000 anC
there are prophets who expect tn,
: number of inhabitants to reach so,
600 within five years. This develop
ment has come in spite of the fac
that there have been rail facilitie!
for less than three years. A publ,
building to cost $150,000 has been ask
ed from the Government. At presen
it is almost impossible to develop tn,
post office fast enough to meet tn,
growing demands of the people. TIL,
lirst school to be put up cost $50,
COO and second s65,000 The new higl
school cost $150,000 and the court
! house $150,000. The growth of thi!
city has been due entirely to the pros
rerity of the irrigated country sur
rounding it, and all of the work ha:
Oeen done under the Carey act.
Good projects that can be developed
J IN this manner are becoming scarcel
every year. The ideal conditions fol-
a Carey act project are a tract of ir.
rigable public land free from home,
stead or other entries, an ample sup,
ply of water for irrigation, conven,
lent reservoir sites, and a country
through which canal construction shall
not be too difficult CT too expensive
The immediate selling value of the
land, with water right, should ex-
coed by safe margin the outside es-
innate of the cost of constructing the