Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-10-09
BY HARRY l. SEXTON
Herald Staff Writer

The history Of irrigation In the
Lower Rio Grande Valley has been
replete with achievement. Dating
from the time when the first major
irrigation system was completed near
Brownsville, the extension n de-
velopment Of the irrigation systems
have reflected the mounting prosper
ity Of the Valley.
During the early years when the
irrigation projects were privately
owned, the directing heads encoun-
tered all the various difficulties
which fall to the lot Of public service
corporations. Progress was slow dur
ing that period. Then came the or
which have taken over all but two OF
the major plants, and under h guild
ance Of able executives practically all
districts in the Valley are being
brought 70 a high state Of efficiency.
In the solution Of their problems
they have displayed vigor and earn
estness. Occasionally they nave
made mistakes, but there has been a
steady march toward greater ell
ficiency, Of the pumping and distri-
button systems, improvement in irri-
CATION practices, elimination OF waste
and the education of water users, all
of. which are vital factors in educ
tion of irrigation costs and the es-
Establishment of a standard of efficien-
cy which maximum develop
ment of the irrigated area.
An Achievement OF Cooperation
The Phar-San Juan system, which
includes $500 acres in Hidalgo
county can be taken as a criterion
of the efficiency and a high degree
of executive and business ability are
combined in the solution of the dis
trict problems. With approximately
$4,000 acres under cultivation, the
district has provided the water users
with a service that is rapidly bring
ing the entire area 10 a high point
Of productivity, enhanced land values
and reduced irrigation costs TO the
minimum.
Irrigation Of the Pharr-San Juan
section was launched by the Louisi'
ana-Rio Grande Canal Co. in 1903
and in 1911 the section now known as
the Alamo tract was brought under
irrigation by the company. Water
users we're not satisfied with the
service, and in 1920 the Hidalgo
County Water Improvement Distric'
No. 2 was organized n took over
the irrigation system.
The district Is z 1-2 miles east and
west and II 1-2 miles north and south
and the rectangular form adds ma
terially to the efficiency with which
fhe irrigation system can be handled
The first work Of the district after
taking over the system was to re
.condition the canals and pumping
plant. Bonds to the amount of ST.
800, 900 were voted, the district pay.
ing approximately 100000 for the
system, and over $4,000 was ex'
pended in reconditioning and extend
ing the system. A surplus Of 500,
900 from the bond sale was invested
in Liberty bonds, which were sole
this year by the district at a good
profit, and approximately $4,000 ex'
pended in putting in new water gates
over 5000 gates OF a new type, which
are absolutely water tight, being in
stalled.
District Reduced Rates
In 1919 the Louisiana-Rio Grands
Canal Company fixed the flat rate
at SO per acre and irrigation rate OF
81, but these rates failed TO supply
sufficient revenue to bring the sys.
tenn up TO a more efficient standard
Water users made little effort TO de.
velop their lands maintaining that ir
rigation rates made production too
costly. When the system was taker
over by the district n flat rate of 81
per acre and a watering charge of $:
per acre were fixed by the board, buI
the following year the flat rate wa!
reduced to So per acre and the water
ing cha-~c 20 81. This rate. one o.