Gunnison news-champion., 1918-03-15

On March 25th and April 5th, re-
spectively, two drawings will occur in
western Colorado by which 1900
acrs will be thrown open to settlement.
The government farms contain from
30 to so acres each Of irrigable land,
and are located in two of the most
beautiful mountain valleys on the
Western Slope. These farms are in
cluded in two OF the great irrigation
system built by the Reclamation Ser
vice known as the Grand Valley and the
CncOmpahgrc projects. Both valleys
are we'll known for the attractiveness
of the scenery and the climate, the
fertility Of soil and the wide variety
OF crops grown therein. Irrigation
farming has been practiced in both for
many years. and the government lands
are in the midst of well-developed
communities. Schools have been es-
tablished. roads laid out, and railroads
are conveniently situated, with numer-
Gus towns and shipping points. Most
of the farms are within four miles of
railway transportation. and in Grand
Valley, many are convenient to inter-
urban lines as well.
On both projects the new settlers
will find conditions favorable on most
of the farms for beginning farming
operations at once, with excellent pros
poets of fair crops this season. Many
ns ln so, rn.,-l,r ia,-a1
that the actual work of preparing the
land for crop is much less than in 9TH
er desert regions where expensive
clearing and leveling are Necessary be-
fore crops can be sown.
In order to acquire one of these
the land and make selections of par
ticular tract desired. After selecting
a unit, the settler must execute a wat
er rental application with the project
manager at Grand Junction for the
Grand Valley project, and at Montrose
Colo. for the Uncompahgre project,
accompanying same with a payment of
So per acre for each irngable acre in
the unit applied for.
At the Grand Valley opening, home
seekers may have application from
March % up to and including 9 a. M,
March 20, to the project manager at
Grand Junction. Drawing by lot for
each unit will occur in the afternoon.
The successful applicant is required to
present the water right application
duly accepted by the Reclamation
Service within three days after March
20, at the Local Land Office in Mont
rose, where he will de . homestead
application and secure his receipt.
Failure to file within said period of
three days will forfeit his rights and
all payments made, and will entitle the
next applicant for this farm unit to
make a filing.
Unsuccessful applicants for these
farms will have their payments r
turned promptly after the drawing.
The drawing for the Uncompahgre
project at Montrose will occur after
8 a. m, April 5th, in the Local Land
Office, and the conditions of payment
will be the same as at Grand Junction
The advance payment required is for
water rental, and entities the entry
man to two acre feet of water each
year for three years. Additional wat
er, if desired, can be purchased at the
prices fixed at the beginning of each
| irrigation season. For 1918 this price
is so cents per acre foot.
By renting water in this manner the
government is encouraging quick cul-
! tivation of the land, and at the same
time is deferring for three years the
annual payments for the building
charge which has not yet been an
nounced.
| The settler will therefore be enabled
to utilize most of his capital for the
next three years in developing his
land, as only one payment of the build
ing charge will be collected in that
period. The usual homestead require
ments, together with the regulations
governing cultivation, are applicable
to all the entries on these projects.
For these reasons the Spectator will
not find the terms attractive.
The Reclamation Service at Wash.
ington states that capital is required
to establish successfully home on
one Of these farms, the amount, a
course. depending on the ability. indus.