The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-05-17

thousands of land seekers and the
north and east of the Black Hills, is
having a strong influence in popu-
lating a large and comparatively new
section, which is producing heavy
crops.
South Dakota is so formed by ma
ture that irrigation is feasible, and it
has been carried on for over twenty
years in the valley of the Cheyenne,
Spearfish, Belle Fourche and Rapid
rivers, where many farmers have
constructed their own dams and
bitches. This Is true also OF many
places along the Missouri and other
streams where private pumping
plants have been installed and mar
velous yields obtained from land up
on which water was turned at the
right time. 1t is a well known fact
that there are a few critical days in
any country during which If it were
possible to get water upon the land
il would mean the difference between
a crop and no crop.
Great Irrigation Project
The natural adapability of the
Belle Fourche valley attracted the at
~tention of the United States govern
ment and the result is one of the
largest irrigation projects in the
world, the Belle Fourche irrigation
system.
The Belle Fourche river and its
tributaries supply the water for irri-
CATION, and this water Is stored i'm a
reservoir formed by the construction
of an earthen dam more than a mile
in length, and one OF the largest
structures of its kind ever attempted.
The water supply is more than ample
for all the lands that are to be irri-
gated, the gravity system being used
throughout.
There is a certainty of supply and
a simplicity in it's arrangement hat
the engineers claim to be of a most
unusual character. This reduces the
cost of the project to such a point
that the settler, who buys the land
from the government has here a
great advantage. The United States
government also maintains an expert
ment station comprising 100 acres,
half of it being used for experiments
with irrigation lands. the other half
farming without irrigation.
Artesian Wells Numerous
One of natures most valuable gifts
to South Dakota is the artesian or
flowing we'll. These wells, which now
number more than 5000. may be
found almost everywhere in the cen
trail part of the state. in depth vary
ing from 200 to 1900 feet. In some
instances the water is las soft as rain
water" and in others it is hard and
contains lime, magnesium and iron
salts. In the eastern portion of the
artesian belt the temperature of the
water is tepid, but it is quite warm
in the western portion.
AT several points the wells are used
for sanitoriums. Many cities and viii
lagos utilize the artesian we'll as a
source of public water supply and
fire protection. In several places the
pressure Is from It's to 200 pounds
to the square inch. and this great
force is used to supply power for run
ming electric light plants. -four mills.
factories, etc. A large number of
farmers use the force of their flowing
wells in lighting their homes and out
buildings by electricity from their
own private electric plants.
As this power is constant, they use
1t in daytime for turning cream sepa-
rators. churns, feed mills, tanning
mills and washing machines. Flow
ing wells through a section in the
/ nnntral nowt ne The ctata o1cn nrnI,ao
gas, and there are farmers who have
never bought coal or kerosene, but
light and heat their homes with gas
from the well which gives them
water.
Railroad Man Sees Prosperity
In discussing this whole matter of
South Dakota's progress with A. c.
Johnston. general traffic manager of
the Northwestern lines, | found that
there is widespread interest in the
development of the state. Mr.. John
ston is unusually hopeful owe the
outlook.
THE prospects in South Dakota
are the best that we have seen for
years." he said. THE high prices for
wheat, corr and cattle are ~encourag-
ing farmers to buy land and enlarge
their operations. look for quite a
little new immigration, of a highly
desirable class.
Considerable capital is going to
the state and money is easy at lower
rates than ever before known. Part
of this capital is being taken in by
business men and investors, who see
good opportunities in the various
towns as well as in farm lands.
People seem to have learned that
South Dakota has a steady, healthful
climate and is also favorably situ-
ated as to markets. | find a keen in
%terest in everything pertaining to the
state"