ADVANTAGES OF RECLAIMING 

 THE REMAINING IRRIGABLE 



LAND. 



FROM "IRRIGATION IX UTAH," BY CHAS. HILL- 

 MAX BROUGH. 



Any discussion of problems arising from the contemplated re- 

 clamation of arid land should be prefaced by a consideration of the 

 reasons justifying the economic expediency of such an undertaking. 

 Advantages which make irrigation desirable in Utah apply with equal 

 force to the other States and Territories of the arid region: hence, a 

 consideration of the utility of irrigation based on Utah's experience 

 possesses more than a local interest. A review of the economic his- 

 tory of the Mormon people warrants the following conclusions as to 

 the benefits when the reclamation of irrigable lands confers: 



First, irrigation promotes better methods of agriculture. 



a. By introducing the small farm unit. Whatever the difference 

 is as to water control and administration, all the States and Territories 

 in the arid region have the common tendency of reducing their farm 

 areas. 1 Physical configuration contributes largely to this result. 

 There are so many small areas most valuable for facility and access to 

 water to be found within the inter-mountain region, that subdivision 

 is a necessity. But the real philosophy of the small farm is found in 

 the fact that it introduces elements of certainty in agriculture never 

 known before. There is absolute assurance of harvesting the crop. 

 There is the ability to so widely diversify the products of the farm as 

 to provide almost everything the family consumes. There is the 

 scope for science and intelligence to work out the best possible result, 

 and so secure the largest return from each acre and the nearest ap- 

 proach to perfection In quality. Finally, loneliness is banished from 

 country life, because the possibilities of social enjoyment multiply in 

 the ratio of subdivision of area. 



b. By fostering intelligent farming . High intelligence and scien- 

 tific accuracy must be brought into play in the investigation and de- 

 velopment of water supply, and in the construction of works for stor- 

 age and distribution. Irrigation means (1) the power to apply water 

 exactly when needed: (2) the power to apply water in precisely the 



J The average size of the Utah irrigated farm is 27 acres; the mean average for the Arid 

 Region, 67 acres Cf. llth Census, Agriculture by Irrigation, 1. 



