THINGS THAT RETARD IRRIGATION. 



BY WILLIAM REECE. 



THIRST A conservatism that clings to 

 old time customs, notions and super- 

 stitions, and opposes scientific researches 

 and new methods of farming on the plains. 



Cowboy notions still hold sway, and the 

 ideas and efforts of all tender feet are 

 looked upon with mingled pity and con- 

 tempt. 



It is difficult to break away from the 

 old custom of burning off the dry grass 

 and weeds; plowing the ground aboiit two 

 inches deep; of letting the flood waters 

 rush off to the rivers, and of keeping the 

 wind pumps at rest, except when a drink 

 is needed. 



Some of the railroads give practical dis- 

 couragement by their eagerness to grasp 

 the profits from the improved business 

 after individuals have, at their own ex- 

 pense, worked up enterprise and made the 

 country more populous and productive. 



A few persons have contributed valuable 

 time and labor to study and advance the 

 true theory of irrigation, without any idea 

 of ever receiving any remuneration there- 

 for, except as they may share the country's 

 prosperity. 



Although railroads will receive the first 

 and greatest returns from this enterprise, 

 yet many persons have been compelled to 

 travel at their own expense, to gather from 

 actual observation reliable data by which 

 the natural conditions and the best methods 

 of farming this country may be fully pre- 

 sented to the public. 



With the exception of irrigation and 

 agricultural papers and journals, the press 

 has given the matter but little promi- 

 nence. 



Had as much space been given to irri- 

 gation in behalf of the farmers on the 

 plains as was given to Corbett and Fitz- 

 simmons, the country would be ablaze 

 with enthusiasm in the great work of mak- 

 ing the now barren desert furnish beauti- 

 ful homes for many millions of American 

 citizens who are now without homes and 

 without employment. The so called rain- 

 makers have done much in the way of de- 

 ceiving and misleading the people. 



Money, labor and encouragement have 

 been withheld from irrigation, and given 



T5 



to one of the greatest modern humbugs, 

 that of rainmaking. 



The aiding of this silly work by corpo- 

 rations has encouraged many farmers to 

 pin their faith to the rainmaker. 



Educational journals, as a rule, shy off 

 from irrigation as too earthly for the con- 

 sideration of people of culture, and one 

 educational journal in Nebraska is so far 

 removed from things that affect man's 

 happiness here below as to decline to give 

 the matter of irrigation any recognition 

 whatever in its columns. We think that 

 teachers and preachers should not be so 

 ethereal as to ignore those things that 

 make people healthy, wealthy and wise. 



Our congressmen have given the matter 

 comparatively little attention. 



We do not know whether it is caused by 

 indifference, by fear of being laughed at, 

 or by fear of being censured by the politi- 

 cal press. 



Ignorance of the meteorological condi- 

 tions on the plains is another great hin- 

 drance to the onward march of irrigation. 

 Men who never spent two years and in 

 some cases never spent two days in study- 

 ing and experimenting with the elements 

 of earth, air, water, animals and plants 

 are often loud in condemning or ridiculing 

 what they do not understand. 



We do not mention these hindrances in 

 a complaining spirit. Railroad managers, 

 editors, congressmen, teachers, preachers 

 and farmers have a right to think and act 

 as they please, but, lack of unity and lack 

 of earnestness in this matter, nevertheless, 

 greatly retards the development of the 

 arid plains. 



The great mass of people seem to have 

 given up all hope of reclaiming the great 

 American Desert and are disposed to look 

 upon the few who are firm in the belief 

 that the desert can be made to blossom as 

 the rose as a set of enthusiasts or land 

 speculators. 



What our people most need is scientific 

 instruction in all matters pertaining to irri- 

 gation, and then concerted action through- 

 out the length and breadth of the land. 



Seasons of big crops are not, as is often, 

 supposed, seasons of heavy rainfalj. 



