CANADA’S FIGHT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 224, 21 August 1935, Page 14

CANADA’S FIGHT

AGAINST DROUGHT. The most ambitious and extensive programme ever embarked upon in Canada against the ravages of drought is being launched in the western provinces, following a cycle of dry weatlior and hot winds which have done heavy damage in a widespread sector of the wlieatgrowing plains of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Alanitoba, east of the Rocky Alountains. A large sum of money has been provided by tho Federal Government and a corps of engineers has been assembled.

The problem of drought is being attacked from a large number of angles. For instance, tree-planting projects are being launched. Aiucli is being done to combat soil-drifting by the development of a hardy grass imported from tho steppes of Siberia, the crested wheat grass, which sends roots down eight feet and appears able to withstand the mort severe cycles of drought. Tho building of dams and irrigation projects to conserve and utilise to the utmost the annual precipitation and run-off is another branch of the scheme that will receive a great deal of attention. Over 24 illustration areas have been set aside throughout the drought areas, at which government experts will co-operate with the farmers themselves to cope with the problem. Some of these dams, dug-outs and irrigation projects will cost only a few hundred dollars: others will cost many thousands and will hold back streams for many miles along the valleys. Amongst the different suggestions being reviewed are : —Dug-outs to supply water for domestic purposes in clay areas where water is not now available; small dams across valleys for either stock watering or domestic needs; somewhat larger dams to be used, by tho owner or rancher for irrigation of a small tract on which feed for live stock can be raised even when the main crop on unirrigated land is “burnt out” by the drought; pumping schemes where feasible; community dams, probably more for domestic and live stock watering use than for irrigation. To combat soil-drifting, a method of summer fallowing by strips is being used in some areas. Instead of leaving large fields to fallow once every three years, as is the practice on the western prairies, the land is being farmed in strips running north and south, a few rods wide, the alternative strips being in crop and fallow. This prevents the wind getting a sweep and hinders even when it does not completely prevent soil-drifting. New types of machinery which leave the soil in a cloddy condition instead of finely pulverised are to be experimented with, and introduced as widely as possible. Seed of the crested wheat grass will be distributed. The Government will compensate farmers for the use of their land in the illustration stations at the rate of one dollar an acre a year. In return, the farmer will keep accurate records and give information and advice to visiting farmers as to the new methods of coping with the drought menace.