THE STATUS OF IRRIGATION IN 

 : , CENTRAL KANSAS. ; : ; 



A, C. ROMIG. 



The unsatisfactory result of experimental work by the state board 

 of irrigation; the abortive efforts of individual inexperience; and a bet- 

 terment in climatic conditions for the seasons of 1896-7 constitute a 

 trinity of cause that has dulled the edge of enthusiasm, and in a measure 

 suspended temporarily the practice of irrigation in Central Kansas. 



And in this condition of como we are likely to continue until another 

 period of drouth and another serious crop failure shall emphasize the 

 necessity for artificial aid. The present status is analagous to that of 

 the creamery interests in the latter part of the seventies, and after an 

 abortive effort to establish the industry in the central counties of the 

 state. By reason of incompetent management the experiment was a 

 failure, stock-holders were shy on dividends, and the county condemned 

 as inhospitable and not suited to the business, and in this condition of 

 discredit it remained until the present admirable management brought 

 order out of chaos, success instead of failure, and of the stone rejected 

 of the builders have made the head of the corner, and the basic founda- 

 tion for an industry that has become international in its extent and col- 

 ossal in possibilities. Thus it will be with irrigation. When increased 

 density of population shall dictate small holdings and intense culture, 

 competent experts will take the matter in hand, develop possibilities 

 along the line of irrigation, duplicate the marvelous crops of Prance, 

 Italy, Holland and Utah and transform this semi- arid country into a 

 region of marvelous production and unfailing yield. 



It is not impossible that the neceessity for irrigation may be greatly 

 modified by increasing artificially the volume of humidity. For more 

 than twenty years the coast and geoditic department of the national 

 government has been engaged in locating artificial lakes on the upper 

 Mississippi, and in segregating and locating reservoir sites in the moun- 

 tain districts, more than three hundred of which are located on the 

 water-shed of the Platte, Arkansas, Colorado, Rio Grande and Columbia 

 rivers, ranging from 50 to 7,000 acres each of flooded land, when the 

 dams shall have completed, and if we are correctly informed it is the 

 purpose of the government to extent indefinitely this system of lakes, 

 basins and reservoirs not alone for purposes of irrigation, not alone to 

 avert the disastrous floods of the lower Mississippi by impounding and 

 holding in check the surplus water, nor to secure a better stage for navi- 

 gation during periods of drouth by the gradual percolation of these same 

 stored waters seeking their natural outlet, but for a betterment in cli- 

 matic conditions as well. When this stupendous scheme of the Govern- 



