The Greeley tribune., 1910-11-24


ern manufacturer most prolific
field for his output.
Favored by an equable climate
and a soil naturally rich In all the
elements OF plant food. the farmer OF
Colorado is the envy of the world.
Unfortunately. not every one is ia
miliar. with the magnitude and the
scope of the vast areas that have
been reclaimed as the result OF the
unprecedented and economically i'm
portant work OF the reclamation SER
vice. Within few years. 80 gi-
gantic projects, involving an expen-
diture Of over $60,0O0,OO0 have been
begun In the west. many Of which
have been finished and furnish water
for 100000 acres. upon which the
gross value OF crops In 1910 will be
over $14.00O.00O. The average cost
per acre to the government has been
1866. The income from these pro-
jects and the recent bond issued by
the national government. not only
insure the enlargement OF projects
under way. but provide for an ex-
tension Of the policy of reclamation.
early fostered by this irrigation
congress. 1t Is expected that 3O.-
100000 acres will be reclaimed In
the west.
In Colorado alone, the Gunnison
tunnel project furnishes water for
an irrigable area of 10000 acres.
$1,000 of which will be open to set
tlement.
OF the $4,000 acres to be reclaim
ed in the Grand valley (Colorado)
project, $4,000 acres will be open to
entry.
Let it be understood that these
western slope projects in Colorado
are to argument a considerable area
of the richest and most highly pro-
ductive fruit land In America, al
ready reclaimed by private enter
prise.
AS has been shown. the artificial
application of water to the soil is as
old as the cuneiform inscriptions of
antiquity. Irrigation in crude way
was practiced in the southwest be-
fore Columbus discovered America.
Encouraged by the results of frri-
cation as practiced by the Spaniards,
in Colorado. and by the early Nor
mons, In Utah, many of the return
ing 49ers found an incentive in the
opportunities offered by Colorado's
soil, sunshine. and easily available
and constant water supply. Not many.
but there are a few of the early pio-
neers who point with pride and sat
isfactfon to the first irrigation ditch
in northern Colorado, taken out of
Clear creek. near Denver. 1t was
soon found that the treasure in the
everlasting hills was but a small re-
muneration in comparison to the
wealth of a fertile. unleached. in
exhaustible soil.
The civilization that marks the
west of today owes its virility. its IN
prosperity. fts possibilities. to the
foresight. the sasacity. tho pertinac-
ity Of the Colorado pionssr.
The reservoir and canal systems
OF northern Colorado, the largest
and most highly developed in the
state, are typical Of the most success
full irrigation works in the country
and represent millions of dollars.
Other gigantic and successful irriga-
tion enterprises are numerous in
Colorado and reflect the skill, enter
prise and ingenuity Of Colorado peo-
pie.
The most important factor in the
future development of irrigated agri-
culture is the vast collection of un-
interrupted observations. measure
ments and calculations in the pos
session of the Colorado Agricultural
college, in which the subject OF irri-
CATION. as q profession. was frst
taught. These data. the joint prop
erty Of the government and the
state Of Colorado. are Of inestimable
value covering. a. they do. 4 period
Of twenty years or more. and will
form the basis Of construction and
practice for generations to come. The
crowning feature OF Colorado's ~
pirations and hopes. however. 10 the
magnificent building recently COM
pleted upon the campus Of the State
Agricultural college. at Fort Collins.
the gift Of the people Of the state.
which is dedicated to the science and
practice of this ancient and noble
art.
This brief reference to an industry