Barton County democrat., 1914-01-16

nB an average OF something more
than $40 per acre for water for irriga-
ton projects completed up to 1909.
The recent reports Of the United
States Reclamation Service show that
water rights in Colorado cost as high
as $3.50 per acre. In the state of
Washington, the cost varies from SIC
to $l6S per acre. In Wyoming and
some other states where the altitude
is quite high and the growing season
necessarily short, water rights vary
from ;25 to $50 per acre. 1t is evi!
dent that the day is past when water
can be cheaply secured.
Pumping Tor irrigation does not re-
quire large investments per acre for
installation, but in practically all
cases the cost OF water by pumping
Will be much higher than the usual
maintenance charges for water under
gravity systems. We can hardly ex.
pect to secure water as cheaply as the
older irrigation companies, but as the
demand for irrigated land increases,
the shallow water area Of Kansas is
destined to compare favorably with
the newer and more expensive irriga.
tion systems OF the West.
Kansas land does not require ex.
tensive preparation for irrigation. In
Western irrigated states the cost of
preparation varies from s. to $lOO per
acre. The land in Kansas is prac-
tically level and does not require very
extensive preparation for receiving
the water. In most cases, a cost of
from 81 to SO per acre will put the
land in proper condition. Experiences
in other states have taught the irriga.
tion farmer the value of proper prep
aration Of the land. These natural
advantages In Kansas are sure to at.
tract the prospective irrigator.
The development of our irrigable
area must come largely through indi-
vidual effort Our pumping plants
must be constructed and operated by
individuals. However, the develop
ment of irrigation in the United States
has been carried on largely through
private and partnership enterprises.
In 1909 more than As per cent of the
irrigated land OF the United States
was under the control Of private and
partnership organizations. Kansas
must rely largely upon such develop.
ment, but If the individual is properly
supported by the state and federal
government In helping him to secure
facts concerning the work, there Is
little fear from failure. OF course, as
long as we must depend upon the in
dividual development, we are going to
have individual failures, but the same
is true in any undertaking such as
banking, mercantile enterprises, and
professional work. In such develop.
ment, we must be guided by the ma
jority and not by the failing few. q.
In 1910 Kansas was the third state
in the number of irrigation pumping
plants. California was first. with
9,627; Texas second, with 1,799, and
Kansas third, with 6S4. On the other
nand, Kansas was the seventh state
in the number OF acres irrigated by
pumping. This shows that Kansas
farmers have so far resorted to pump
ing for irrigation with comparatively
small pumping units This method of
development will probably continue to
great extent, but there is opportu.
nifty for cooperation among land own
ers in the construction and operation
of central power plants for irrigation.
Economical pumping plants are a ne.
cessity to our greatest development.
One of the most important features
of irrigation development is the intel
ligent use of water It has been
shown by experience in Western
states that beyond a certain minimum
amount, the more water used the
smaller the crop return, and that the
best crops are being raised with
amounts OF water which the average
irrigation farmer considers as entire.
ly insufficient. BY a more intelligent
use OF the waters available, we can
greatly increase the irrigated area
This is problem for Kansas. We
have relatively cheap land to be irri.
gated with expensive water. We
should make every effort to increase
the duty of water If we expect Kansas
to become one of our leading irriga.
tion states