Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1914-01-08

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 $lG3 per acre. In Wyoming and
some other states where the altitude
is quite high and the growing season
necessarily short, water rights vary
from S25 to $50 per acre. 1t is evil
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 oil
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.
ton systems of the West.
Kansas Land does not require eX-
tensivc preparation for irrigation. In
Western irrigated states the cost Of
preparation varies from S. to 800 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-
ton 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 40 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
jorlty and not by the failing few.
In 1910 Kansas was the third state
in the number OF irrigation pumping
plants. California was first, with
1927; Texas second, with 1,799, and
Kansas third, with GS4. On the other
hand, 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
a great extent, but there is opportu.
nity for cooperation among land own
ers in the construction and operation
Of central power plants for irrigation.
pumping plants are a ne
ccssity to our greatest development.
One of the most important features
If irrigation development is the intel
Iigent use OF water. It has been
shown by experience in Western
states that beyond certain minimum
AMOUNT, the more water used the
smaller the crop return, and that the
,est crops arc being raised with
OF water which the average
irrigation farmer considers as entire
y insufficient. BY more intelligent
lse Of the waters available, we can
,reatly increase the irrigated area.
This Is q problem for Kansas. We
AVE relatively cheap land to be irri-
,ated with expensive water. We
hould make every effort to increase
he duty of water II we expect Kansas
o become one Of our leading irriga.
ion states.