Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-17

be grown for the season in which
they are marketed
Views Confirmed
Confirming the views taken by
Dr.. Mead as to the need for eX-
pansion of irrigation in the west,
Bulletin No. IS, issued by the Cal
ifornia Division of Water Resources
in conjunction with the University
of California college of agriculture,
and from which quotations were
made recently by the Water Rights
Protective association in a pamphlet
widely circulated. finds that future
trends in orchard and vineyard
fruits and nuts grown in California
indicate there will be an economic
demand for 265.o 900 additional acres
prior to 1850 The bulletin observes
that since the unirrigated lands are
fairly constant. the expansion must
necessarily be made in irrigated Sec
tions.
Studies made by the authors Of
the bulletin in vegetable production
result in the statement that there
is a need in the next 20 years for
$4,000 additional irrigated acres tc /
supply increasing demand for veg
etableS.
In its general summary of agri-
cultural expansion in California I
the bulletin declares. 1t is esti- I
mated that the additional require
ments for irrigated land for fruit, 7
and alfalfa, or a desir- +
able substitute, during the decade T
l930-l940 will be a little in excess
Of the equivalent of a half million
acres, having the same productivity
as our present area of irrigated
lands, will be required for these
intensive crops
The bulletin observes that this
estimate is made with the knowl-
edge that for the moment there is
TOO great an acreage in fruit in
California and in the United States.
Peculiar significance in the fore
going statements is seen for Imper-
lal and Coacheua Valleys. All-Am-
erican Canal construction will just
be reaching completion by 1940 It
is in the decade between 1910 and
1850 that this region will be be-
ginning its agricultural expansion
On the new lands. and subsequently,
will develop to the limits of its
boundaries.
Low Water Cost
Another yitally important factor
which gives this region particular
advantage over other irrigated sec
tons of the state is the relatively
low cost of water for irrigation.
Bulletin No. SO. also issued by
the division of water resources in
cooperation with the U. S. Depart
nent OF Agriculture and the state
college of agriculture, sets forth
complete tabulations of water costs
IN irrigation projects in California.
Those tabulationS show that the ac-
-ual and total cost of bringing water
% the land is far less in Imperial
irrigation district than in almost
al OF the other smaller districts in
he state, and IN many instances is
10 or IS times less.
Those progressive residents Of
imperial and Coachella Valleys, who
nave invested their money and en-
srgy in agriculture are looking
toward the future as well as to the
in planning the irrigation
system here declares NJ. J. Dowd.
chief engineer of the district.
They recognize that it is chiefly
N this area of year-round pro-
auction of non-competitive crops,
hat agricultural expansion in Cali.
-ornia must come. Economic de-
nand for ranch products to feed
he millions of people that are sue
Y coming to the Pacific coast, rela-
lively low water costs. good trans
oortation facilities, regulated and
assured supply of water for the
ands, all point inevitably to such
.uture growth"