308 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



waters that would otherwise be a source of danger and 

 injury to the general welfare. 



Such procedure would also be in line with the general 

 policy of the conservation of our natural resources. Large 

 quantities of water that would otherwise go to waste and 

 that would be actually injurious and cause devastation by 

 flowing down the regular channels in great volumes, could 

 thus be partially held in check by at least holding back the 

 crest of the flood, if sufficient storage capacity could be pro- 

 vided. It is not thought that a great amount of flood dis- 

 charge could be actually held back by incidental storage in 

 reservoirs such as have been designated, but there would 

 be at least a considerable benefit resulting from such 

 storage. 



A comprehensive system of land drainage comprises first 

 of all the formation of sufficient channel capacity for drain- 

 ing a given area so as to take care of the surface water. 

 and also to furnish outlets for farm or local drainage. 

 These channels are usually open ditches; they may if suffi- 

 ciently deep, act as receiving drains for sub-surface or tile 

 drains. When an area is provided with complete facilities 

 for under-drainage it then becomes in effect a reservoir of 

 more or less extent, with a depth equal to that of the sub- 

 surface channels. In this way a portion of the surplus water 

 goes directly to the stream channel, while part sinks into 

 the porous ground to escape later through the underground 

 channels. A temporary reservoir is thus provided for a 

 considerable portion of the water, and while such a reservoir 

 would not afford facilities for lengthy storage, still the ag- 

 gregate volume of water that would be held back would 

 in some cases be considerable. It is believed that ultimately, 

 when large areas of lands comprising entire river valleys, 

 shall be provided with tile drains, the problem of flood 

 regulation in such streams will be largely solved. 



The extension of agriculture is the basis of future 

 growth and development and the reclamation of agricultural 

 lands by irrigation and drainage should be encouraged by 

 every legitimate means. No less important are the ques- 

 tions of public health and the development of river navi- 

 gation. These vital questions are largely dependent upon 

 the regulation of our surface water supplies, and such regu- 

 lation should be effected in a scientific, comprehensive way, 

 preferably under national supervision. We have the practical 

 example of the national Reclamation Service in reclaiming 

 large tracts of air land by establishing great irrigation 

 projects. Let us now encourage the drainage engineers in 

 their great work of converting stagnant ponds and pesti- 

 lential swamps into productive fields capable of supporting 

 dense populations in comfort and plenty. 



Let us press forward in the good work of reclamation, 

 making possible the growth of population and commerce, 

 the continuance of prosperity, the upbuilding of great com- 

 mercial centers like unto this splendid Crescent City, and 

 the transformation of a vast region into a world factor of 

 the first importance. 



BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WEST. 



The "back to the land" movement that has drawn so 

 many city people countryward during the last few years haj 

 built up many thriving agricultural communities in various 

 parts of the West. On the Government reclamation projects 

 it is estimated that more than 14,000 families have recently 

 taken up their homes. Anticipating the needs of settlers 

 for convenient supply stations and markets the Government 

 engineers in laying out the project set aside tracts at con- 

 venient intervals as Government townsites, and auction sales 

 of town lots have been held from time to time as the need 

 arose for business locations and residences. Agricultural 

 activities on the thirty Government projects have reached a 

 point where the prosperity of the settlers is assured and busi- 

 ness men are eagerly taking advantage of the opportunities 

 offered at this time to get in on the ground floor in the 

 new towns. 



The statistician of the United States Reclamation Serv- 

 ice at Washington, D. C, is receiving hundreds of letters 

 from professional and business men and artisans who are 

 anxious to establish themselves in these thriving communities. 



On April 4 there will be an auction sale of lots in the 

 town of Powell, which is centrally located in the Shoshone 

 project in northern Wyoming, and on April 18 lots will be 

 sold in three towns on the Huntley's project, Montana, 



namely Worden, Ballantine and Pompey's Pillar. In addi- 

 tion several Government towns on other projects have lots 

 now on sale. These include both business and residence 

 locations and the terms are easy. 



There is need in several sections for general merchandise, 

 drug, and hardware and implement stores, livery stables, 

 hotels, meat markets, banks. Doctors, dentists, and veterinary 

 surgeons are needed and there are splendid openings for 

 many industries. 



On most of the projects there is already enough dairy 

 stock to support a creamery. The townsites are located on 

 railroad lines and potato and truck warehouses would be 

 profitable. Banks which have already been established in 

 several of the towns are in a flourishing condition, and 

 settlers on the newer tracts are reaching the stage where 

 they will become depositors. In some sections the settlers 

 are obliged to go thirty miles for their drug supplies. Al- 

 falfa meal mills, cement block factories, combination millinary 

 and dressmaking, livery stable and veterinary surgeon, har- 

 ness, implement and hardware stores would be sure to prove 

 profitable. 



Many of the residence lots contain from one to five 

 acres where bees, truck farming, poultry raising and dairy- 

 ing on a small scale would be remunerative. On some of 

 the projects there are still small farms adjacent to the town- 

 sites which could be operated in connection with a business 

 in town. 



There never has been a time when so many opportunities 

 existed under as favorable conditions. Schools and churches 

 have been established and modern conveniences have elim- 

 inated most of the hardships of pioneer life. 



]. N. Nail and W. F. White, who own a tract of 

 land embracing 700 acres near the town of Fort Worth, 

 in Tarrant county, are installing a pumping plant to irri- 

 gate their land. They will use two eight-inch centrifugal 

 pumps operated by 40 h. p. gasoline engines to lift the 

 water to the level of the ditches, which are to have a 

 carrying capacity of 15 cubic feet per second. 



ONE MILE A DAY 



As a Ditch -Maker and for Reclaiming Arid or Wet Land 



The Twentieth Century 

 Ditching Machine 



stands without an equal. It will make a mile of ditch 24 inches deep 

 in one day. Is easily operated by one man and can be used with two 

 or four horses as desired. Weighs less than half as much as the 

 heavy grader and does better work at one-half the expense. It wilt 

 pay every owner of land to learn all about this many purpose irriga- 

 tion machine. It will not only cut drainage ditches, but levels land, 

 cut laterals, sage brush, throws up dikes, etc. 



Write for booklet showing photo reproductions of machine in action, 

 and explaining great money and labor-saving features. 



THE BAKER MFG. CO. 



526 Hunter Building: 



CHICAGO 



