The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-10-26
RAYMOND W. PULLMAN.
ftmes WashtRgt0R Bsrses, No. 70
kefropohfan Bosk BvtIdSn0.

ftmes WashsRgt0R BSrsss, No. 7o<
kefropoHtan Bosk BStIdi~s.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26.-war In
the old world has not affected the op-
timlsm OF the irri-
Irrigation Makes CATION farmers In
for Prosperity. the western states.
With agriculture
rs the principal industry. the western
people. particularly those operating
on large irrigation projects. have al
ready begun TO reap the benefits OF
the increased prices for foodstuffs.
Clarence J. blanchard, statistician OF
the United States reclamation service,
has just returned to this city, after
visiting all Of the government irriga-
ton projects. and. according to his re-
ports. the western irrigation farmers
look forward 10 one Of their most
prosperous years.
The irrigated west, said Mr..
Blanchard yesterday. rs just now
taking an inventory OF the greatest
crop In its history and the settlers are
correspondingiy optimistic and cheer
full. The effects Of the war have been
felt as yet but slightly, because the
prices OF all general crops are good.
with rising tendency. Settlers In
the governments irrigated lands are
making substantial progress In all
lines OF practical farming. The period
Of pioneering on the reclamation pro-
jects is largely passed and with in
creased areas In successful tillage the
returns are promoting good feeling.
Secretary Lanes New Years prom
Use. We shall endeayor to give you
full opportunity to make good has
been fulfilled In good faith. During
the long period OF congressional de-
bate over the Secretary's 2O-year ex.
tension bill payments on farms were
postponed and all proper measures OF
relief were extended to encourage re
newed efforts on the part Of the farm
ers to increase their irrigated acreage
The splendid results OF Secretary
Lanes policy are manifest every
where. Crops on government projects
never looked better. An addition OF
100000 acres 70 the producing area
has been made and a healthy increase
In the number OF new homes has fol
lowed.
+ Zone OF the most encouraging fea
lures OF the progressive work now un
der way on the reclamation projects ID
found In the various forms OF cooper
alton now being initiated. One of the
best evidences of the new agriculture
ID found In the educational facilities
which these people have established
You Will look far indeed to find more
up-to-date schools than the new struc
lures which have been built during the
past two years. The consolidated
schools uniting the country and the
towns are common, and their popular
ity spells the end OF hundreds OF thu
little and lonesome red schoolhousel
which have occupied so much space IN
fiction and poetry. Because of the In
adequate equipment Of the old type Of
rural school, the little red school
house IL now looked upon with disfa
vor In many sections, az promotins
q movement OF young people away
from the country to the city. where
the schools are large and well equip
ped.
THE daily mingling of children from
both the town and the farm In the
new consolidated schools on the recla
nation projects Is promoting an era
OF good fellowship among all the peo
Iple. On these projects many Of the
farmers are prominently identified
with the chamber OF commences
boards OF trade and other civic asso
Citations Cooperation Is found In
good roads work. in creameries. can.
neries. cold storage plants. banks. and
In organizations for producing and
marketing special crops. There Ia
/ growing up q fine community spirit
which Il adding greatly to the attrac
! lions Of country life.
THE development Of electric power
on several projects has stimulated tho
farmers TO make use OF this cheaI
force In their farming operations. II
Z Is somewhat surprising for the visitor
to 60 upon these projects which only
! FIVE years ago were desert and unin
habited. and find modest houses equip
ped with electrical apparatus which
equal to the cost of the house itself
In numerous such houses you will hnt
electric heaters, electric cookins
stoves and electric lights. The cream
separator and the churn. as well al
the pump and the feed grinder, arr
operated by electricity. In many
houses found the housewife with
electric iron putting the finishing
touches to the family laundry. On
the Minidoka project in Idaho groups
of farmers have Incorporated. bull
their own transmission lines. and are
now distributing power to their homes
/ In the towns electricity IL gradually
replacing coal the hotels. stores
schools and residences are being heat
ed with electricity. and the govern
ment II supplying the lights for these
communities.
Groups OF farmers here and there
are buying their farm indictments In
cooperation and are working together
In harvesting OF the CROPS. Commun
ity purchases OF registered stock FOR
breeding purposes are frequent II
tense and various other ways the irri