Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-12-14
A Question of Economics

According to statements by various elements
which have announced vigorous opposition to govern
nent reclamation plans to be submitted during the
present session of congress, they will present the ar
gament that there are now in various parts Of the
country thousands Of acres Of land provided with IT.
Eigation water which are not being developed eff
GENTLY. They express the view that what is needed
during this generation is a better use of the lands for
which water has already been provided. at considerable
cost
There is sound basis for this argument, but the
fact should be taken into consideration that the larg-
est irrigation projects, especially those on the Rio
Crande in Texas and the Colorado in California, are
NOT extensive producers Of staple crops, Of which there
IL a surplus produced in the United States. These
areas lie in the semi-tropical section Of the United
States, the only section of the country, with the ex-
reption Of Florida. capable Of producing winter vege-
tables and citrus fruits in large quantities. quantities
~ssdfficient TO meet the fast growing demands OF the
increasing population.
That the irrigation projects supplying these areas
have not attained maximum efficiency. that cultural
methods are still decidedly crude and as a result the
lands are not producing the maximum. cannot be de-
MED. However, efficiency and production on these
various products has increased as the demand for their
production increased, but within fifteen or twenty
years., unless storage is provided through government
projects. IL will be impossible for these areas to pro-
duee sufficient to supply the demand for winter vege-
tables and fruit. In fact. if the present rate of in
crease in the consumption Of these commodities con-
tinues ten years. the most intensive and efficient cul-
tivation OF the irrigated areas in the semi-tropic re-
sions Of the United States will &c unable to meet the
demand for the fruits and vegetables which have in
recent years become necessities. among a large class
Of American consumers who ten years ago classed win
ter vegetables as Injuries.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley in ten years has in
creased its winter vegetable shipments almost 500 per
cent. Shipments from the semi-tropic regions Of Cali
fornia have increased almost so per cent IN that
period. and Florida shows an increase exceeding ESQ
per cent. II Is hardly probable that the most inteas-
Tvs and scientific cultural methods or the most eff
cient irrigation practices would make possible a SINH
crease would be possible without bringing large areas
under irrigation and cultivation.
Storage projects such as are now being consider
ed in connection with the Rio Grande. the Colorado
and several ohter streams which offered opportunities
ed States. will Pquire years to work out and construct.
They involve many extremely complex engineering
problems. vast amount Of careful study. and any action
congress may. take At this session will have little or no
effect upon production for several years.
If these projects were destined to compete with
the wheat. corn or cotton raisers upon an extensive
consideration upon the grounds that they arc not an
economic necessity. But inasmuch as the commodities
they win produce have become necessities, and that
tho area wherein such commodities can be produced
Is virtually restricted To the Lower Rio Grande Val
ley, southern California and part or Florida. 1t is ap-
parent that in order TO assure the supplies that COM
ing generations will demand congress should give
such projects immediate and favorable consideration.