172 F. H. Neioell — Arid Regions of the United States. 



The tillable lands to be benefited by water conservation or by 

 the utilization of the larger streams not now diverted by canals 

 are almost wholly owned or claimed by individuals or corpora- 

 tions, so that future developments must rest most largely with 

 these. Wise legislation will do much to aid in making feasible 

 many great undertakings, but as a rule it may be said that de- 

 velopments in this line must depend largely upon individual 

 efforts and upon the ordinary laws of supply and demand. 



It has been estimated that by a complete utilization of the 

 water supply of the arid regions about 40,000,000 acres can be 

 irrigated ; but, allowing even that 100,000,000 acres of the fer- 

 tile grazing land can be thus redeemed, there still remain over 

 500,000,000 acres, most of which, as well as the desert and 

 timber acres, are still in the hands of the general Government. 



The question as to the best utilization of the great body of 

 unoccupied lands is one of immediate concern to the country at 

 large, as well as to the inhabitants of this area. In a general 

 way it may be said that the more easily available resources have 

 already been taken possession of by individuals or by associa- 

 tions of men, and there remain only such as were rejected or not 

 available. Much of the best mineral land is owned by private 

 parties, but even on the explored Government land tliere are 

 probably many mines yet to be discovered. The herds of cattle 

 have increased to such an extent that the lands, whether owned 

 by the Government or by corporations, are thoroughly grazed 

 over, and in many localities the herds must be fed with hay, 

 during part of the year at least. All of the Avater supply of the 

 country which caii be readily diverted is claimed or appropriated 

 by irrigation or land companies, and almost without excep- 

 tion the irrigable lands along perennial streams has passed out 

 of the hands of the Government. ' Still the demand for homes 

 continues, and settlers are from necessity forced to attempt to 

 make a living where conditions seem to be against them. There 

 are thousands or perhaps'millions of farms which can be pur- 

 chased from individuals or corporations, but the possibilities of 

 obtaining agricultural land from the Government seem to be 

 almost exhausted. - 



