90 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



ed, will eventually command higher prices 

 than attained by the best eastern farms. 



In many older established irrigation dis- 

 tricts, where values are established upon a 

 commercial basis, such is the case. 



One of the aforesaid inquiries, for ex- 

 ample, comes from Canyon City, Col. The 

 writer, who is seeking a place where he 

 can buy cheaper irrigated lands, says 

 "prices here run from $200 to $400 an 

 acre." 



Another, writing from Rocky Ford, says 

 values there, in a few years, have risen 

 from government price to $200 an acre. 



Still another, grom Greeley, says he has 

 sold his farm, which three years ago cost 

 him $75 an acre, for $140 an acre and 

 wants to invest in cheaper lands. 



In California, where values have become 

 established, it is next to impossible to get 

 an irrigated farm with an ample water 

 supply for less than $100 an acre, and from 

 that up to several times that price. In 

 many instances, at these prices, the water 

 rights are subject to a heavy annual water 

 rental tax. 



Those wanting irrigated lands will find 

 their best opportunity in newer fields, 

 where, while possessing equal advantages 

 for profitable farming, prices are yet low, 

 but which will rapidly advance under the 

 impetus of settlement and development. 



Among others the aforesaid North Platte 

 Valley, in Carbon Co., Wyo., heretofore a 

 neglected opportunity, given over to ranch- 

 men who have waxed fat on cattle and 

 sheep, but whieh is now being developed 

 by the construction of an extensive irriga- 

 tion system, affords such an opportunity. 

 This is the location selected after consid- 

 ering many other opportunities, for the 

 Homestead Irrigation Settlement, which is 

 being established on a broad basis and a 

 popular plan, composed of thrifty, indus- 

 trious, temperate people, the fifth success- 

 ful settlement of like character established 

 by Mr. Jas. W. Wilson, 7\) Dearborn St., 

 Chicago, the well known agricultural jour- 

 nalist who has perhaps been instrumental 

 in establishing more successful settlements 

 than any other man in the United States. 



As the enterprise is backed by plenty of 

 capital and the co-operation of the rail- 

 ways, and as the valley possesses a fertile, 

 deep aoil, an ample water supply, easy of 

 application, with cheap lumber and coal at 

 hand, the above splendid markets, a 

 healthful climate and good society, with 

 schools and churches already established, 



the settlement cannot fail but prosper, and 

 as the price of land and water rights, un- 

 der the popular plan under which the set- 

 tlement is being promoted, as quoted 

 from Bulletin No. Six of the settlement, 

 only range from $10.50 to $13 an acre, on 

 easy terms, with no water rentals, it would 

 seem to afford all the advantages sought 

 either for a farm home or a profitnble in- 

 vestment in farm lands. 



THE LACEY COMPROMISE BILL 



Representative John F. Lacey, of Iowa, 

 chairman of the committee on public lands 

 has introduced a bill which was intended 

 by him to solve the irrigation problem so 

 far as it confronts the present congress. 1 

 Various irrigation bills have been intro- 

 duced, and the committee on irrigation of 

 arid lands has prepared a general bill, which 

 has been reported in the senate, disposing 

 of all of the proceeds of the public lands, 

 turning them over for an irrigation fund, 

 and embarking upon general, comprehens- 

 ive and sweeping plans of irrigation 

 throughout the entire arid regions of the 

 United States. 



This proposition is meeting with much 

 opposition in the states that do not require 

 irrigation. A special committee from sev- 

 enteen states agreed upon the bill as re- 

 ported in the senate, but in fact the bill 

 was the result of a compromise, because 

 they felt that they must agree upon some 

 proposition as a unit. 



The house committee on public lands 

 has been investigating this question for a 

 number of years, and Mr. Lacey's idea was 

 that some experiment ought to be tried 

 before any comprehensive and general 

 plans of irrigation are undertaken. He ha& 

 has introduced a bill which is intended to 

 try an experiment of national irrigation. 

 It is believed that this bill may be accept- 

 ed as the only practical solution of the 

 question. Of course, the gentlemen who 

 are desirous of having the government 

 committed to some general policy and sys- 

 tem of irrigation will not be satisfied, but 



