IRRIGATION OF ARID LANDS. INFORMATION FROM AMERICAN FLEET OFFICERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 10

IRRIGATION OF ARID LANDS. INFORMATION FROM AMERICAN FLEET OFFICERS.

DR CHAPPLE TO VISIT AMERICA. (From Oue Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 20. The officers of the American fleet disclosed to visitors to Auckland great and wide knowledge in other than naval affairs. Dr Chappie, M.P., discovered three who were expert- in the modern methods of irrigation, and one who had bored and iirigated the arid lands of Colorado. The member for Tuapeka seized the opportunity of getting first hand information for the benefit of his consistency. " A new school of engineering has arisen within the past five years," said Dr Thomas A. Berryhill, one of the fleet medical men, " and mountains are tunnelled and rivers diverted into new watersheds and artesian bores, converting whole regions into fertile and productive lands, are being put down by irrigation' engineers." "I myself," said the surgeon of the Nebraska, " have irrigated arid lands in Colorado with artesian water. A 12in bore was put down 265 ft, and an abundant flow resulted. Land that* produced 15 bushels of wheat before irrigation "yielded 60 bushels after water was ' provided. Three crops of lucerne are often produced in one season. After three irrigations in one season I got 30 tons of sugar beets per acre at £1 per ton. We have a -machine that cuts off the tops and then digs these beets. A „ lOin. well that I put down cost me 5s per foot up to 300 ft, and 6s after that. This included the tube, and the water was found, as is U6ual, in the second sandstone, and rose to a height of 12ft above the surface." " Reclamation companies were," he added, " being formed that took up the normal water flow, and then bought rights of way over private lands, as was done with railways. Other companies were formed who made dams on these rivers already held, and used the flood waters. Thus two water companies may own the same stream. The United States Government is also buying up land, conserving or raising water, conducting water channels, and 'laterals,' and then, selling the land together witli stated water rights. The Shosone River has one of the largest irrigation dams in the world. The Arkansas River runs through four States, and great law caeee result from the growing desire for irrigation water. The Rogue River controls 200,000 acres, and irrigation projects are bein,? rapidly developed. The Truckee River rises in California, and its water is conducted through mountains for irrigation purposes." " Farming is becoming the calling of gentlemen and scientific" men," said Mr j j Victor Kimberley, " because of the education and scientific training required to j i qualify the modern farmer in extensive cultivation, and because of the independence and good results which new and up-to-date methods yield." Dr Chappie got promises of literature on the subject, and addresses of those

in th« United States who have practical experience- -of _ reclaiming arid lands, fia expressed to', his new-found and genia? friends, whom' he accompanied on their, trip to Rotorua, his intension of visiting America after the election, with a..vieT»j to studying irrigation problems.