Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-03-27
10 PER CENT OF
IRRIGATED LAND
U%NPRODUCTIVE
DRAINAGE SUPPLEMENTED az PROP
Err CULTIVATION is WAY
TO RECLAIM.
SERIOUS INJURY FOUND TO HAVE
BEEN CAUSED EVEN IN
NEW PROJECTS.

Washington. ID g.. March p. More
than 10 per cent Of the irrigated lands
in the United States which have had wat
GER for any comfortable period of time are
now either absolutely unproductive or
gwen ovcr.to the poor pastures and IN
&roftablc crops. according "a the United
states Department of Agriculture. Wat
logging and the accumulation ~ harmful
mineral salts are responsible. Even ~
>oine of the most recent irrigation pro
lccts serious injury from these causes
has been wrought.
Methods Of retaining land which has
fallen into Tins condition frum> the sub
eel of 4 new bulletin az the department
20. 1901. The Drainage ~ irrigated
Laid" Drainage supplemented bN prop
81 methods Of cultivation. cropping aud
irrigation, will rctorc these Watrrioeecd
areas To u condition Ia which they can
y" farmcd with profit. the bulletin points
out. Proper drainage will accomplish
four objects: 81 the lowering ~ the
ground water table 10 4 depth where the
moisture and air within the root zone
will bc properly balanced: 80 the rrca
Ton of an outlet for pcrcolltin" water.
- hat the ground water table viii not
iluctuatc excessively; "a the rapid re-
rloyal excess moisture following >prlng
thaws; and 90 the creation uf an outlet
iE the downward moving water used 90
dissolve out the injurious salts.
DEMONSTRATIONS of alkali salts and the
presence of highly alkali resistant plants
are frequently indications of over irri.
CATION. In some eases ponds. hogs. and
marshes are also found. hut in others
there are no visible signs ~ excessive
'vrtncsS and il existence can only hr ~.
q rrcri from lis effects mon vegetation.
Iie. bulletin calls special attention Ia
the difference in drainage practice he-
Grid and the humid regions. and empha-
siaS the need for thorough know ledge ~
underground conditions.
40 drain yrca> ~ this character will
~ r. estimated. un thu average
Aiim from 40 To so an acre except nm.
Ter unusual conditions when the cost
mly run aS high ~ 80 an acre. Both
olcn canals and covered conduitS are il
general uses. The open canals. however,
ne intended primarily for The main out.
~ systems III which provision must hc
pyle for 4 considerable flow uf water.
Tho covered drains are for farm dram.
2 e. IItflNfl. lAHfN-Ms y ~ ~ ~ ~
d"iiinnal expense. they could hc used cq.
n,lly well for the main outlets. - 4
mtiisr Of fact. although they cost more
ihauvthc open canals. thr u lrnanre
charges are usually lower. much Naln.
able space j. saved. ami cultivation and
irrigation are much earlier with them
~ IN with open canals. Where covered
craduirs are employed they arc usually
u.,,.c either 81 cement ur claw tile. Ia
some localities lumber box drains are
al hut tn, ~ usually ava tc"n>
onl. ~ iso.1lt.i places Whrrr 'Uu hcr 4
.hca,, am,i transportation ire are hieh.
Tie. life az :ch "A drain h reasonably
lour n the lumber l. cuutiuu"u~l, wet.
Aui if alternate wctting and driving takes
'.,lacc. the material may last only 4 few
wears.
! m properly drained land bacterial
I ~,ctiyitv j. increased ami fore plant food
provided hy the admission of air int,
\ he soil /. take The place Of The cNcc>'
n,tcr which has been removed. IN,
downward movement II water through
~ he .nil also teaches ont the excess ~
"i,rrnfnl salts and this H. one NJ the mos
important functions ~ drainage in th'
irrigated sections. The water removed y,
the drainage system may lr rmployr,
far n irrigation of other areas, there
Il, increasing the available irrigated ar
81. Furthermore. drained land may IL
nlnwed earlier than underlined AMI a
consequence may IT, irrigated earlier
This i IN obvious advantage IN that \
makes il possible for the land a. hr irri
Gated before the supply Of water bcc"me'
reduced. Various forms "t drainage ~
toms and the best methods Of construct