El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-08-28

Of more than 100000 cubic yards OF
dirt, practically all Of the work be-
/ ing done by government forces.
The present drainage plans call for
the excavation Of more than 15,0O0.0 900
I cubic yards OF dirt, more than half OF
which already has been done. The
I lowest OF contract prices for ex-
! cavating fixed an estimate Of Il cents
Z per cubic yard. Government forces,
I however. have carried on the work.
/ excavating more than 5000, 900 cubic
yards at a cost Of S-1S cents, a saving
OF about S250.00o.
Value Of Crops.
OF the crops produced on irrigated
lands last year alfalfa was first with
a crop valued at S1.700.o00. The land
N alfalfa returned, about $3.50 per
wheat and corn ranked second.
though cotton. truck gardening and
cantalopues were grown in abundance
Only a few acres were planted in
cotton last year, 1900 to be exact. The
crop yielded about S237.000, or more
than $50 an acre. This year. how
ever, reclamation officials estimate
that the cotton crop VIII be worth
acres OF irrigated land, or land that
can be irrigated II need be. planted in
the fleecy staple. The crop so far
looks fine
The reclamation service officials.
with an eager eye on the project are
taking care OF every need OF irriga-
ton farmers. The desirability and
necessity OF drainage work con-
structed has been demonstrated by the
relief afforded TO areas which had
been previously sesped, and which
were attended to as soon as the rec
lamation officials could get to the
work. The large amount OF water
a.
and the results 50 far gained are sat
isfactory to persons who were skepti-
cal when the type OF construction was
first advocated
Farmers Saving Water.
The lowering Of the ground water
elevation and the lesssning Of the
area seeped was not altogether due TO
the construction Of drains, according
TO Mr.. Lawson. A large part Of the
relief that has been afforded comes
directly from the inauguration OF the
sale OF water on an acre foot basis
rather than q fiat charge Quite as
important as any other work Of the
reclamation service, IS the change in
the distribution Of watsr from the
wasteful methods OF unlimited use 10
those Of beneficial use Gradually Il
viii be noted that flooding the old I
river beds, waste lands, and roads, IS Z
eliminated At this time also comes I
the realization that the application OF /
water alone does not produce the best I
results Cultivation with irrigation IS I
more practiced and the crop yields 4
and general conditions show its bene- T
fits.
Prone To Overlook Advantages
I'VE are prone to overlook the 4
benefits and attractions OF our own I
locality, and fail to use them said .
lfr. Lawson The vast amount OF +
arid land surrounding the Rio
Srande project for which no water is
available accentuates the Opportunt-
ties under the project.
In considering the available stor-
age provided by the Elephant Butte
reservoir together with the amount
II land which may vel be included
IN the project. it may be understood
that there IS limit Of territory
which can be properly served and 70
which q guarantee Of water supply
an be made.
Could Extend Irrigation
THE limit OF course" continued
Ir. lawson. has not been reached
nd the ultimate area to be included
n the Rio Grande project IS directly
Effected by the amount OF water used
With a curtailment Of use TO bene-
icial needs. the project area can be
extended, and with an abnormal use
- has prevailed IN the past the re-
trictious on the ultimate size be-
ioms necessary. The application.
hen Of larger quantities OF water
han can be beneficially used. not
My damage the lands by a rise in
he underground water elevation, but