IRRIGATION 



f<5 



cost was not recorded and the acreage which might be irrigated was, as a 

 rule, highly exag-gerated, no allowance being made for imperfect water 

 Bupply nor for lands which could not be cultivated. 



Another of the fallacies was the assumption that as soon as water was 

 provided this was practically the end of necessary expenditures. Little con^ 

 ^ideration was given to the large cost of levelling, subduing and cultivating 

 the soil, and of providing the necessary fertilizers. Because the 

 arid lands contain certain mineral salts which \n the east are 

 sometimes used as fertilizers, it was assumed that the soil 

 was necessarilv fertile, not appreciating the fact that it fre- 

 (|ucntly lacks the essential elements common in humid regions. 

 Another oversight in the earlier years was the neglect of full 

 consideration of drainage ami the importance of providing this to prevent 



Some of the 

 Obstacles 

 That Were 

 Overlooked. 



Dodson South Canal and Milk River Near Dodson Bridge, Milk River Project. 



much of the more valuable hind from being destroyed by swamping or 

 alkali. \\'|lien large irrigation systems are constructed covering extensive 

 areas and the water has been applied for several years, it has followed th.at 

 from ten to twenty per cent of the total irrigated lands have been more or 

 less water-logged. To kcc]) the lands in a condition of irrigibality. extensive 

 drains must be provided. 



— Montana has the greatest undeveloped electrical power in the Union. 



