MODES AND RESULTS OF IRRIGATION. 5t7 
latest modes of operation, the cost and capacity of works, with some 
indications of pecuniary results. 
Going from the Eastern States, as the people of Greeley have done 
under the organization of this Union Colony, and being almost wholly 
an agricultural people, with no speculative views in regard to mining or 
other uncertain pursuits, a great problem was presented in regard to 
irrigation. It is to be understood that rain falls so seldom in Colorado 
that no dependence can be placed upon it in growing crops, except dur- 
ing March, April, and May, when there is either snow or rain sufiicient to 
germinate the smail grains. After this time the ground becomes so 
dry that any kind of planted crop must perish without irrigation. The 
only possible chance, then, for the farmer to grow profitable crops is to 
construct canals to convey the water of rivers in such a manner that 
it may be conducted over the fields. ; i 
Perhaps there is no more forbidding prospect to the settler than the 
necessity for an expenditure of several hundreds or thousands of dol- 
lars that the want of rain may be supplied, and the mind instantly 
suggests that there is a country where rain is always sure; but when it 
is considered that by means of irrigation crops are always certain, that 
the farmer bids defiance to the drought, and that the yield is nearly 
three times greater than elsewhere, it is apparent that great advan- 
tages may arise. In the case of the Greeley Colony, the cost of con- 
structing irrigating canals has been from $1 to $3 an acre. The right 
to use the water has been attached to the real estate in perpetuity, with 
no other expense than the cost of repairs and superintendence. LHlse- 
where in the Territory and in New Mexico farmers make their own 
ditches as a neighborhood enterprise, which is practicable only when 
the ground is favorable ; or, companies are formed and an annual water 
rent is laid, ranging from $1 to $2 50 per acre. In towns, such as Den: 
ver, the annual charge for water on an ordinary building lot is from $5 
to $10. In Greeley an assessment has been made of $2 50 for each town 
lot, and $5 for five or ten acre lots, for the season, which will be amply 
sufficient to cover all expenses. 
This colony early felt the importance of obtaining a knowledge of the 
best method of irrigation, so that, if possible, material. mistakes might 
be avoided; and accordingly a farmers’ club was established, meeting 
weekly, and correspondence was opened with intelligent cultivators in 
Colorado and Utah. Several gentlemen have also visited the club and 
given the results of their experience. Mr. Robert L. Kennison writes to 
the club as follows: 
I resided in Utah about twelve years, and farmed some ten years of that time.. 
When possible, we always prepared the ground in the fall, and sowed our wheat, oats, 
and barley as soon as we could after the frost was out of the ground, in the spring. 
At the time of sowing we prepared the ditches for each field. The advantage of sowing 
so early is, that it saves one, and sometimes two irrigations. In laying olf the ditches 
to irrigate a farm, we first made mains from the public or company ditch, and in 
making them we kept on the highest land, paying no attention to section or other 
lines. Having our mains on the highest lands, we could easily irrigate each way from 
them. The mains being made, we laid off the field into lands or divisions, varying in 
width, according to the character of the soil and the lay of the land, from one to 
twenty rods, The divisions were always by small ditches, which were made by run- 
ning a furrow both ways, and following with a wooden scraper made like an A, If 
our lands or divisions were dry for a long time, we generally preferred to divide them 
by running another main through. While more water is used by making ditches than 
by laying off the land by raising ridges, I think that the work can be done so much more 
rapidly and perfectly as to make it the better way. 
I should advocate the irrigation of small grain by flooding. Supposing your field 
ready—the main and laterals all in order—we will commence by shutting down the 
gate or damming the main, so as to force the water on the land; and here I would say 
that es 5 aed the amount of water in the main, if we can handle it, the better; but 
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