El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-04-05
Reports Are Made From
Texas, New Mexico and
Arizona by Engineers
Who Have Studied Irriga
ton.

Official report, contributed to The
Herald by the government representa-
tiveS).
During the past three days a confer
ence Of southwestern agents of the irri-
cation Investigations of the United
States department of agriculture has
been held in Ell Paso, the purpose being
TO review irrigation conditions in Texas,
New Mexico Arizona and California,
and TO outline policy for work during
the present irrigation season. Those
present al the conference have been DR..
Samuel Fortier. chief of irrigation in
designations, department of agriculture,
Washington. D. c.; w L. Rockwell, in
charge of work in Texas. San Antonio
F. L. Bixley. in charge of work in New
Mexico, Mesilla Park: c. E. TAFT, in
charge of work in Imperial valley and
Arizona. Phoenix: P. Z. Fuller. in charge
of power investigation. Phoenix. and
Frank Adams in charge of work in Cali
fornia Berkeley.
The irrigation inveSti cations of the
department of agriculture have to do
with all matters concerned with the
agricultural features of irrigation. such
as the. duty of water, methods of pre-
pairing land and applying water. pump
ing water for irrigation. seepage and
evaporation losses, canal cleaning and
kindred subjects. The work has been
in progress under authority of congress
during the past IL years and a vast
amount of reliable information has been
gathered and published for the benefit
Of the farmer of the country. In some
OF the western states. such as Utah,
Idaho and California. the legislatures
have made appropriations to assist in
these Investigations. the combined state
and federal funds being expended I'M
der the immediate direction of DR.. For
tier.
State Aid in Work
At present Utah, provides $4,000 per
year, Idaho $4,000 and California $1,000.
and in each case the department of agri-
culture provides funds equal to the state
funds These double appropriations have
greatly extended the scope of the in
designations and the consequent benefit
10 the farmer. and it is hoped that the
western states and territories not now
aiding in the work. such as Texas. New
Mexico and Arizona, will do during
the coming year. thus insuring the ex-
penditure in these valuable investiga-
tons of one dollar of federal money for
every dollar appropriated by the states.
AT the close of the conference yester-
day afternoon, the following general
statement of conditions in the four
states and territories represented was
made:
nearly as can be estimated. 400. 900
acres was, irrigated in Texas in 1909.
Thissresult is extremely gratifying when
one considers the greater part has been
accomplished in recent years and all by
private enterprise.
The FL Paso valley is one Of the proved
fruit and alfalfa sections of the state
The soil is silly loan. is rich and strong.
The elevation, about 3700 feet. gives
clearness and dryness to the atmos-
phere and a temperature varying between
maximum of los degrees in summer
to five degrees below in winter max
ing the conditions almost ideal for the
production of the standard deciduous
fruits, especially the Bartlett pears
Many varieties of European grapes are
especially thrifty and produce fine
quality of fruit. This district is eagerly
looking forward to the completion Of
the Elephant Butte project of the re-
clamation service. at which time $4,000
acres of very fertile land will be pro-
vided with an abundance of water, the
one thing necessary to make profitable
the creation of many prosperous homes
In the vicinity of Fort Stockton, i'm
Pecos county, are located the Com
manche Creek springs. which with eco
nomicai use will furnish water for the
supply of $4,000 acres. Under these
springs lie 80 or more thousand acres
of very fertile land. and an irrigation
system is now i'll course of construction
to lead this water to the productive
acres 1t can supply. Plans are also be-
ing made to increase this acreage by
impoun6ing storm water in reservoirs as
by this means it is believed to be posi-
BILE to add 10000 acres 10. the irrigable
area. The soils in this locality consist
largely of chocolate loam and are very
productive the chief crop being the
standard deciduous fruits, grapes al
falfa and corn, all of which WELD abund
ant harvest
In Toynh Valley.
In the Toyah Galley, Reeves county.