IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS IN 



KANSAS. 



The following extracts are from the sixth biennial report of the 

 commissioner of forestry and irrigation for the state of Kansas for the 

 period ending June 30, 1898. The matter on irrigation is so practical 

 and so applicable, not only to conditions in Kansas, but to almost any 

 section where irrigation is practiced, that we regret lack of space for- 

 bids our quoting more extensively. 



The investigations carried on have proved that where water is 

 plenty, the gasoline engine is the cheapest power for lifting large 

 quantities of water, but the windmill as a general rule, is likely to be 

 most economical for ordinary pumping. The value of the windmill 

 has led to the construction of many home made windmills, especially 

 in the states of Kansas and Nebraska, many accounts of these ingen- 

 ious devices having appeared in agricultural papers from time to time. 

 The Jumbo is perhaps the most familiar but more of that some other 

 time. 



The influence of a good example has caused one after another of 

 Kansas farmers to follow the lead of his prosperous neighbor and re- 

 sort to irrigation until now, in Western Kansas, it is practically uni- 

 versal. For the benefit of those who are contemplating irrigation for 

 the first time, we quote the following regarding the location of the 

 reservoir, etc.: 



"People are apt to say, 'locate your reservoir on the highest part 

 of the land you intend to irrigate,' and this is correct; but before you 

 do this, be sure that you are not making a mistake in the selection of 

 the land to be irrigated. The first consideration is the water, and the 

 mistake is sometimes made by rushing ahead before the water supply 

 is made sure of. Sometimes we think we will get plenty of water in 

 a certain place when there is not, although there seems to be plenty 

 of water within a short distance. If it is a well that you expect to get 

 your water from, be sure that it has been tested thoroughly before you 

 spend any time or money on a reservoir. One other important consid- 

 eration is the lay of the land; and it is so important that it should be 

 taken into account before determining the location of the reservoir. 

 Land that is almost level is by far the most desirable. You will not 

 only get more benefit from the rainfall, but also receive less injury 

 from heavy, dashing rains, and it can be said that nearly level land is 

 a saving of time, labor, and water, besides the great saving from wash- 

 ing. It is not often that we will find ideal conditions ready-made. A 

 fall of about one inch to 100 feet in the lateral ditch is plenty, while 

 one and one-half feet to the mile will answer for a large ditch that is 



