Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1913-03-28
Should Enrich This Country.

The statement of Dr. Widtsoe in his talk to
the farmers and others at the tabernacle Monday
morning, that the branch agricultural college in
this city is to be, not Cedar City school, not an
Iron county school, but a southern Utah school, is
just what was expected by those most interested
in the movement, and the sentiments of the doctor
found approval in the vigorous applause which
greeted the statement.
To every one who has any considerable concern
respecting the permanency of this section. an in
terest that is greater than personal ambition, it
apparent that an agricultural college should prove
boon that great section of the country of which
Cedar City the CENTER and especially to Iron
ty in particular 1t is not to the honor of Cedar City
that it becomes necessary frequently to ship
butter into town from Salt Lake City, that flour is
shipped in from outside points, that many other
farm products are not raised here in sufficient
quantities to supply even the local demands 1t
hows clearly enough that we need something in
the way of practical agricultural education that
we do not have at the present time. Experts,
who ought to know and do know, say that the
waters from Coal creek, if scientifically used
would irrigate at least three times the acreage
that is being watered under the present plan.
Then, there are the possbilitieslof irrigation by
pumping which is bound to become one of the
great factors in developing this section of the
state but which up to the present time has receiv-
ed very little attention
Other branches of ia rming which should be
given consideration is the raising of fruits and
berries, corn. extension of pasturage, and many
other things which now receive little or no at
tention whatever If the people will do their
part the agricultural school should so change cond
tions that we shall soon be sending out Of this Sec
&c JoIlo of fo-,,
each year of almost every variety. If we will but
be guided within the not distant future. Cedar
valley will be dotted with orchards of fine fruits
and berries. comfortable homes (on the and),
commodious barns sheltering profitable dairy cows,
with pure bred poultry as an adjunct.
While these are some of the things we fully
expect the branch college to do for this immediate
section adjoining counties will receive equal
benefit in many of these branches. While Iron
county is in advance of any of the adjoining
counties in the raising of sheep and market
CATTLE it is behind its neghbors in many respects.
Beaver is far ahead of this county in the de-
velopment of dairying, and is still advancing,
while Washington county is an equal ifnot a greater
producer of grain. But, Some one will say we
produce all these things here. Granted, but some
of them are given very little attention, whereas
they should be produced somewhere near in pro-
portion to the demand and the possibilities Of the
soil and climate.
The school under the new plan, if properly
supported will mean not only bigger school, but
it will mean the enrichment of the people of this
section of the state far beyond what is anticpaeC
by most of us at this time. the develoment of the
best resources of this section and the broader anC
more practical education of the young men anc
youngnWomen who attend it. The whole thing
resolves itself into the question: "Will the people
give it proper support?"