3<)2 



THE IREIGATION AGE. 



demands. More intensive cultivation quite as much 

 as increased acreage will bring prosperity to the 

 farmers. 



(4) Increase the number of farms raising stock 

 and thereby secure a natural fertilizer for the soil. 

 Cattle, hogs and poultry mean ready money and 

 bank accounts. 



(5) Secure for the agricultural community the 

 benefits provided in the new currency law by creat- 

 ing a demand for the early opening of the various 

 federal reserve banks. 



(6) Discourage all speculation, but encourage 

 the expansion of legitimate business in the rural 

 communities by reasonable extension of credit. 



A Filipino 

 Experiment 

 in Aiding 

 Settlers 



The government of the Philip- 

 pine Islands is working out a 

 system of loans to settlers in an 

 organized colony, which may be 

 fraught with possibilities, if 

 adopted in the United States, for 

 settlers on the Federal irrigation projects. 



The colony is made up of Americans, nearly 

 all of whom have been in government employ, 

 either as soldiers or in civilian positions. Under 

 government auspices, a committee of the settlers 

 picked the site of the colony Momongan, it is 

 called, in the Lanao district, island of Mindanao. 

 It is expected that about 100 families will join in 

 the enterprise. 



The soil is reported to be rich black loam cap- 

 able of producing a great variety of crops, includ- 

 ing some of those of the temperate zone, such as 

 Irish potatoes. There is much forest land near by 

 from which timber for houses and other buildings 

 may be cut. The land may be homesteaded, leased 

 or purchased, and each colonist purchasing or 

 homesteading 40 acres will be permitted to lease 

 an additional 40 acres at a nominal rental. The 

 mountains near the site of the colony still abound 

 in wild game, such as deer, wild hogs, etc. 



Two transportation companies are operating 

 automobile truck lines between Camp Overtoil, on 

 the coast, and Momongan, and army trucks also 

 run over the road. 



The joint committee of government officials 

 and private individuals which formulated plans for 

 managing the colony has reported to the governor 

 general these recommendations : 



That the government lend to each colonist $600. 



That the government appoint a superintendent 

 and three assistants, who shall have control and 

 supervision of the colony. 



That all the first crop produced go to the 

 colonists. 



That 20 per cent of the second crop go to the 

 government as part payment on the loans. 



The superintendent shall be the treasurer of 

 the colony and shall expend the money lent the 

 colonists for transportation, construction of houses 

 and other necessary buildings, and for draft ani- 

 mals, implements and food. 



No interest shall be charged by the govern- 

 ment for the loans made, and the balance of the 

 loans remaining unpaid after the government shall 

 have collected 20 per cent of the second crop shall 

 be paid as rapidly as possible, the colonists being 

 allowed from each succeeding crop, until the 

 amount is paid, enough to cover their necessary 

 living expenses and the cost of putting in a new 

 crop. The $600 to be loaned to each colonist shall 

 not be paid over in a lump sum, but shall be ex- 

 pended by the superintendent in installments as the 

 money is needed. 



The Department of Agriculture has just 

 Better to issued a warning, to which it would be 

 Stick to well for farmers and gardeners to pay 

 Staple heed. It calls attention to the danger 



Crops in special crops or those which inex- 



perienced growers are very liable to fail 

 in, that is, crops which are used for the production 

 of drugs, perfumes, and other products for which 

 we have depended on Europe. There is something 

 attractive in growing a crop which few others pro- 

 duce and which has little competition in the market, 

 but the growth of these plants calls for special 

 talent, and if a contract is not made for a crop be- 

 fore it is planted it is very probable there ma}- be 

 no market for it. Staple food products always find 

 a ready market, and while not always at long prices 

 there is minimum risk in growing them. 



Judging by his address to the Interstate Irriga- 

 tion Commissioners, F. H. Xewell, director' of the 

 Reclamation Service, is not trying very hard to win 

 the favor of Congress for the settlers on the Fed- 

 eral projects. 



Opportunity is knocking now at the doors of 

 the United States. Remember, opportunity only 

 comes once. 



Let us not permit our muzzled neutrality to be- 

 come a menace to our nationalism. 



There is still need for a real Irrigation Con- 

 gress in the United States. 



