20 



DRY-FARMING CONGRESS, WICHITA, 1914 



acres were irrigated; the increase in the last four years has been forty-four 

 and three-tenths per cent. It is conservatively estimated that the possible 

 area susceptible to irrigation exceeds one million acres, and at the present 

 rate of progress, it will be only about ten years until this area will be 

 under the ditch. 



The water supply for the lands of Arizona is derived from three 

 sources; first, gravity water, accumulated in storage reservoirs, or diverted 

 from natural stream courses; second, subterranean or pump water; and 

 third, runoff or flood water. At the present time, there are some 308,770 

 acres irrigated by the gravity system, about 10,000 acres from pumping 

 and 10,000 additional acres from flood water and pumping. The greatest 

 development in the last two years has probably been by the pumping sys- 

 tem. It is estimated that there are fully 750,000 acre-feet of ground water 

 at 50 feet and less depth from the surface, available annually for pumping. 

 This in round numbers is sufficient to irrigate 200,000 acres, with a com- 

 paratively low duty of water. More recent investigations, however, seem 

 to indicate that water may be pumped from greater depths than fifty feet, 

 where certain marketing facilities prevail, and soil conditions are right; 

 in which case probably double this area would be included by bringing in 

 sections where the lift is 75 to 100 feet. With the improved types of deep 

 well pumps, and the low cost of fuel-burning engines, it is difficult to esti- 

 mate the development in the next ten years in this direction. 



In addition to the areas irrigated from gravity and pumping by white 

 settlers, the Indians of Arizona, by the use of flood water, produce crops 

 of corn, wheat, squashes, etc., from fully 10,000 acres. There are many 

 Indians who have a permanent water supply, which is estimated to cover 

 fully 5,000 acres. 



The area included under flood water is most difficult to estimate, as the 

 floods are not certain, one section being flooded one year, and not the year 

 following. However, settlers realize the value of favored positions to re- 

 ceiving flood waters, and snap up quickly, any such sites. Reclamation 

 under this method is therefore doubtlessly increasing. 



Stockraising. 



Stockraising is onei of the oldest and most extensive pursuits in the 

 agricultural field in the state., Formerly, immense herds of cattle and 

 sheep were owned by one concern, and more or less monopolized the ranges, 

 but with the advent of the forest service regulations, and the increased ir- 

 rigated areas, intensive stockraising is making rapid advancement, espe- 

 cially in point of quality. The ranges in the past eight years have been 

 increasing with cattle from 300,000 head, to about 800,000 at this time. 

 In the present conditions of the ranges, this is their maximum carrying 

 capacity. The stockmen realizing this, are looking toward the improve- 

 ment of their breeds, and of the ranges. More cattle are being fed and 

 fattened every year in the irrigated valleys, and a greater number of cattle- 

 men, each with smaller herds, are appearing. Under such conditions, 

 closer attention is given to the size and quality of the animal, and to keep- 



