THE IRRIGATION AGE. 167 



land at three dollars per acre, with a maintenance fee of only*T25 per 

 year for each 160 acres. The Belknap canal the first one organ- 

 ized now has twenty-three miles of main canal, covers 16,000 acres 

 of choice land and has been in full and successful operation for four 

 years. Since its completion nine other companies have been organ- 

 ized on the same plan and the amount now invested in co-operative 

 irrigation canals in this immediate vicinity is about $200,000. With 

 such a start your readers will readily see why this community is des-' 

 tined to become prosperous. One successful enterprise begets an- 

 other. We have already learned the truth of the old adage, "in 

 union there is strength" and are turning our attention to other 

 matters. 



This undertaking being the first of its kind it was considerably in 

 the nature of an experiment, many mistakes were made, and the 

 operations of the company were seriously hampered by poor and im- 

 perfect by-laws, but this was finally overcome and the company placed 

 upon a firm financial basis. Subsequent organizations have profited 

 by this experience. The stock of one of these co-operative irrigation 

 canal companies is the best collateral that a person can offer a busi- 

 ness man or bank in our community, it being accepted in reference to 

 any other security. 



In perusing the pages of the AGE have often wondered why 

 such companies were not more general throughout the West. I have 

 noticed in various sections, opportunities offered to investors in the 

 matter of the construction of irrigation enterprises, where the settlers 

 were already upon the ground, and the thought has occurred why these 

 people themselves did not go ahead and complete the work. I have 

 recently been making an extended investigation in the eastern part of 

 this state. In many places I found splendid openings to put our- 

 theory in successful practice, and upon speaking to those concerned, 

 found that it was little understood, but a little missionary work 

 started them along. In many cases I found the number of settlers 

 too limited to accomplish anything, and called the attention of the 

 immigration agent of the railroad to the fact, so that it was assisted 

 by more people being brought in. In nearly all such localities I 

 have found the "leader" lacking. It requires some one person on 

 the ground who has the faith of his convictions, who will take a per- 

 sonal interest in the company, who is a hustler and an enthusiast on 

 the subject. On my trip, I found no less than seven communities that 

 after a little effort seemed desirous to go ahead and accomplish some- 

 thing. I am confident that if I had the time and was to take a per- 

 sonal interest in these localities by placing two or more teams on the 

 work to prove my confidence, that they could be successfully com- 

 pleted. 



I have always been an advocate of the theory that those who own 



