RECLAMATION OF SWAMP LANDS. 



are ready to pledge themselves to carry out the further work of reclama- 

 tion. 



It would not be fair to look on this movement as one to reclaim the 

 lands of individuals at the expense of the State and Federal Governments. 

 No reclamation work whatever is asked; nothing more than providing such 

 channels to carry flood waters as may justify the reclamation of the land. 



Surely the State is justified in doing something to add so valuable a 

 territory to her productive area. The assessed valuation for taxing purposes 

 of Reclaimed Swamp Land is ten times greater than of that which remains 

 untouched, and further benefit to the State of maintaining a population 

 engaged in the intensive farming this land warrants is apparent to all. 



Of course such great Government projects as the improvement of har- 

 bors, etc., are not dealt with in this issue which is devoted exclusively 

 to that work which will make homes for homeseekers by Government assist- 

 ance. There are in California many regions not mentioned in this issue 

 which have been considered somewhat unofficially perhaps for govern- 

 ment work under the reclamation act. 



The great work of reclamation now being undertaken by the National 

 Government is of vital interest to every Californian, whether he be a pros- 

 pective settler or not. It brings water, the Life of the Land, to enrich the 

 arid tracts as if by touch of a magic wand, studding the desert with happy 

 homes; it is a movement of special interest to California sociologically as 

 well as industrially. The impetus given to desirable immigration by the new 

 and fertile lands will mean increased prosperity for the State at large, and it 

 is hoped that all sections will unite to further the movement for reclama- 

 tion. 



Irrigation means making waste places populous; it means more than 

 that. Irrigation in California means that the land can be cultivated the year 

 around, and even where the rainfall is sufficient for ordinary crops. Irrigation 

 is practiced with success in California to make the earth bring forth more 

 than it would yield under usual conditions. 



With California's all-the-year climate, irrigation in this State means 

 more than it means to perhaps any other region of similar area. 



To assist in the Government movement for National Irrigation, Califor- 

 nia must have a united people in this work and a united Congressional Dele- 

 gation at Washington. 



The Government is doing the great work of irrigation in the West, under 

 the National Reclamation Act, to make room for the homesteader, to create 

 a new frontier. Therefore, it has wisely limited the size of the homestead 

 which any man may take up to 160 acres. Although the Government en- 

 deavors, as far as possible, to bring water to available Government lands, 

 yet in the event that private owners are willing to subdivide their lands and 

 in other ways comply with the National Reclamation Act, the Government 

 will undertake the construction of irrigation works even where the land is 

 in private ownership. 



In California much of the best land for Government irrigation is in huge 

 private holdings. It is believed that every great land owner in California 

 will be willing to sign a contract to subdivide in order that the Government 

 may proceed as rapidly as possible to construct irrigation works under the 

 National Reclamation Act. 



Already owners of more than seventy huge tracts of land have signified 

 to the California Promotion Committee their willingness to subdivide their 

 lands for the benefit of intending settlers. This shows which way the wind 

 blows and may be taken as an indication that when the Government is ready 

 to go ahead our patriotic landed proprietors will be willing and ready to co- 

 operate. 



