The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-05-01

and putting them in shape for cul-
tivation was proceeding very rapidly.
At the present time there is a sus-
pension of such activities which we
trust is only temporary. 1t arises
from the uncertainty that prevails
as to the future of the sugar industry,
to which, as | say, great part OF
these wet lands are peculiarly adapt
ed. The proposal recently advanced
in congress to remove the duty from
sugar imported into the United
States. which would mean the elimi-
nation of that industry in Louisiana,
as in all other parts of the country.
1t is the appreciation of this fact
that has caused many dredges to be
put out of commission and many
drainage projects to be halted for the
time being. In view of the great ana
varied advantages to the people OF
the country aS whole from the per-
petuation of the domestic sugar in
dustry, both cane and beet, it seems
hardly likely that this policy OF de-
struction will prevail and we look
forward to seeing this project OF ad-
ding vast new fields to the productive
area of the country, move forward
with unabated vigor.'
Conditions in Louisiana are duplI-
Gated to a greater or less extent III
all the other states having consider
able areas capable of reclamation
through drainage, although, OF course
the lands thus brought into use VIII
be devoted to various crops accord
ing to their location. Practical eX'
perience in every part OF the country
however demonstrates that these re-
claimed lands are richer than any
others when actually brought under
cultivation.
Thus far it is not the policy OF the
government to undertake the actual
Improvement of this vast area, agsre'
eating more than 100000 square miles
and greater in extent than the entire
territory of any one OF number ol
European countries, but the officials
of the department of agriculture and
those members of congress who have
given particular attention to the SUD
iect are in general agreement that II
is well within the province OF the led
eral government to survey THESE
lands and prepare engineering plans
for their development, leaving the ac
tual construction work to be per-
formed by the states are localities
that will be benefited.
The agricultural Appropriation Dill
recently passed by the lower house oi
congress. carried small approprla
tion providing for such work in m
vestigating and preparing surveys oi
inundated lands and an amendment
increasing this appropriation to $3.50,
600 is now pending in the senate. il
adopted, it will mean that the eXper'
services of some of the skilled engln
GERS in the employ of the government
will be directed to showing how this
great reclamation work can be ac
complished, and this undoubtedly viii
give a much greater impetus to the
prosecution of the work among the
various states and communities, mas
much as it is acknowledged that in
no other way can so much be accom-
plished in solving the pressing prob
lem of increasing the agricultural
production of the country. Not only
will drainage reclamation enable
Louisiana and Texas to grow more
of the sugar required by the Ameri
can people, but it will also vastly
increase the output of winter fruits
and vegetables in other southern
states, and add tremendously to the
yields of staple crops in many parts
of the country