El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-12-07

DEoPIE IN the Yuma and Imperial valleys are WORKING
on the biggest kind of reclamation project It is
100000 project which gives idea of its import
auce It plans to bring under cultivation about 100000
acres Such of that land is not under cultivation
is as arid as one could well imagine Such of It as has been
brought under the plow fertile would
find
The Imperial valley those who familiar with the
geography of the region know, is southwest of Yuma
considerable distance part of it is south of the Mex
lean border gets its water from the Colorado river
place south of the Lsguna dam There is big tract
lying the north and northeast Of the Imperial valley,
part Of it in the Yuma valley for which irrigation has not
yet been supplied.
Is now proposed to transfer the source of Imperial
valleys water supply-that say the canal heading
from present location to bring it above the La
zuna dam which Is "A miles above Yuma. The project
oonemplates canal through the country north of the
international line to bring about an enlargement Of
the area under cultivation 1t is estimated that the
farmed ara in the vicinity Of Yuma be increased to
COCO acres that adjacent the Imperial valley TO
10000 acres Much Of this land is higher than the
available water and its irrigation is impossible without
some such development is planned.
Provide the water and all this sandy, desOlate stretch
adjacent TO the Colorado river will be at premium It
vii grow excellent crops Of alfalfa and cotton fruit Of
many kinds and garden products in great variety More
over part Of is in belt practically frostless which viii
make very valuable for growing oranges lemons and
grapefruit. Anything that climate and sandy
soil viii grow, If helped out by water and reasonable
amount Of labor that land viii grow.
Secretary Of the interior Franklin K Lane has given
approval union of the Imperial and Yuma people
carrying through the project and when its details fully
engineered out it will likely be turned the gov
eminent to be taken up by the reclamation service.
It may not cost s4ooooooo, for the estimate is
sdersd liberal If it does, it viii be worth It, for the
charge Per would be only about $50 If pro rated
evenly. However It would probably be apportioned
the cultivated lands, which have already borne
siderable expense in water Development would bear bur
den less than $50 acre while the lands would
more.
These rch desert lands when brought under irrigation
stand charge of $50 without putting
upon their q than temporary strain. Land
which viii produce every year crops worth SIS to $3.50
is very valuable land It IS too valuable to be al
lowed to remain in its desert state any longer than
takes bright minds and hard workers. aided by money
provide means Of making it productive.
IF this project goes through it VIII the creation
Of irrigated district larger than the Roosevelt and Ele
plant Butte projects cobinedmuch larger, and capable
Of producing an enormous amount of foodstuffs.
The government is expected announce what its
policy viii be with regard to taking up reclamation
projects, that the has virtually ended and the
nations money must longer be poured out for war It
afford be liberal where projects are demonstrated