IRRIGATION IN AMERICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 20

IRRIGATION IN AMERICA.

DUNEDIN VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONSMR THOMAS BROWN INTERVIEWED. To the discriminating and intelligent traveller the world resembles an open book wherein many things may be read and learned and a vast store of first-hand knowledge gleaned of the customs and happenings in other countries. Mr Thomas Brown, of this city, is an experienced traveller, and not only does he keep his eyes open for the superficial experiences of his journey, but he also reads between the lines and, seeking below the surface, becomes acquainted with many matters that would escape the attention of the less experienced and the unobservant. In April Mr Brown left Dunedin and proceeded to America, afterwards journeying on to visit friends in England. When waited on recently by a Daily Times reporter Mr Brown consented to recount many of the impressions gained on Iris eight months’ trip, and these are of no little interest. On proceeding to America Mr Brown spent a month in South California, and during that time he devoted a great deal of attention to the methods of irrigation that are employed in that country, his object being to supply his friends in Otago with information as to what is being done in other countries and thus assist in the development of the central portion of this province. “ The thing that struck me first and always,” said Mr Brown, “ was the energy with which the people have taken up the question of irrigation all over the country, and the immediate result of their efforts has been made apparent in the conversion of a wilderness into a succession of gardens and orchards. The system of irrigation that has been introduced is very complete, and embraces very large areas of country, on which the growing of lucerne and fruit is the principal industry.” “ Is irrigation applied to agricultural pursuits in this region also?’ 5 queried the interviewer. “ Yes,” replied Mr Brown, “ but on a much smaller scale, a« agricultural farming is very expensive compared with the other industries.” In reply to a question ns to the methods adopted by the Californians to get the water on the land, Mr Brown stated that the great rivers flowing down from the Rocky Mountains were harnessed by the skill of man, and their life-giving streams directed where they were required. The water was led out from the rivers in pipes and open races, and was then reticulated over the country, making i-t fertile and productive in a wonderful degree. Recently, however, a new method had been introduced, and the water was brought on to the land by means of underground pipes fitted with taps through which it could be drawn off. This method held a distinct advantage over the other, in that the water was distributed more npr-1 <l'M not CQUCO fho lnn/t in cake and harden as it frequently does under more extensive inundations. Reverting to the products of the wonderfully fertile soil, Mr Brown stated that in addition to fruit very large areas -were used for the cultivation of vegetables. Onions were grown in fields of 100 acres and more, and were very largely exported, while grapes and olives were also grown

in abundance. The large factories for the canning and drying of fruit and kindred industries were also absorbing large numbers of people, and the population was continually being augmented by an influx of immigrants from abroad. The Americans and Canadians were firm believers in the principle that increased population meant increased prosperity. A striking example of the progressive policy of the country was afforded by the trolly car systems—a cheaply constructed tramway—which linked up town with town and ran right out into the country districts, enabling people to settle on small areas and grow fruit profitably. An enterprise that interested Mr Brown very keenly was that in the San Joaquirn Valley, where a great swamp had been conquered by means of the Dutch method of using dykes to dry the soil, and the locality was now the scene of one of the largest industries in the country —namely', the preservation of asparagus. Enormous factories were engaged in this industry, rivalling m importance the canning of fruits. On proceeding further to the north-east and entering the Canadian Slates, Mr Brown again found a magnificent fruitgrowing country the inhabitants of which were actuated by the same spirit of energy and enterprise as those further south. Here, also, the industry was being encouraged by the introduction of the trollycar system, which opened un the country in quite a surprising manner and gave the settlers great facilities for travelling and also for getting out their produce. “ It is a method,” concluded Mr Brown, ” that could be applied to Central Otago with convenience to the settlers and benefit to the farmers as a whole.” Questioned as to the quality of the American fruit, Mr Brown replied that it was remarkably fine, while the Canadian apples were considered the best in the world. Touching upon the more general aspect of his holiday, Mr Brown stated that interest held out to the traveller by California was very great. Not only did it provide a splendid opportunity for a holiday where those interested would derive a great deal of instruction, but it had one of the finest climates in the world, with a wealth of scenic resorts. In the Vosemite Valley the mountain and river scenery was almost unrivalled, while there were also some very fine waterfalls. At Mariposa there was also a great deal to be seen and the very large trees ( Wellingtonias) were a source "of interest to all travellers. The Grand Canyon, a day’s journey from Los I Armeies, was, said Mr Brown, one of the I finest sights in the world, and would well j repay a visit. San Francisco appeared to i have completely recovered from its partial demolition in 1907, and in a little over six years had again become one of the most interesting cities in America. Los Angeles, he was surprised to find, was a city of some 400,000 inhabitants on what was practically a desert but a few years ago. As showing the desire for progress and expansion on the part of the inhabitants, Mr Brown mentioned that the town hoped to have a population of 1,000,000 persons by 1920, and every effort was being made to secure that result. Mr Brown also re-visited a large number of the American cities that he had become acquainted with on previous visits, including Denver, Detroit, Chicago, and Salt Lake City, and he was very much surtyk the dovelnlnmeut that had taken place on all sides, lie also travelled by the comfortable Santa Fe line through Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas to Ontario, and found the same spirit of advancement and development. He expressed a very high admiration for the energy- and vigour of the Canadians and their progressive ideals. The Canadian Pacific Railway Company was, he stated, expending

100,000,000d0l this, year on the extension of its service by means of branch lines. When asked a question with reference to his visit to England, Mr Brown replied : “ England is more charming than ever, and it is in a very prosperous condition.” “ The only drawback, he added as an afterthought, “ is the iniquitous action of the suffragettes, in destroying private property.” The English cities, he' continued, especially in the north, seemed to be experiencing a wave of prosperity and were advancing very fast. There was, however, a good deal of political unrest in the country, and some big changes were likely to take place as the result of the report of the Royal Commission that had been appointed to inquire into the re-adjustment of the taxation of the land. In reference to the question of Home Rule for Ireland, Mr Brown stated that among the thinking people of England there was a very strong feeling against the dismemberment of 'the country, and there was a very general desire to delay the progress of the present Bill before the House. In conclusion Mr Brown remarked that the Union Company’s new service via San Francisco was assuming very large proportions, and provided as many comforts as any other line on which he nad travelled, 'not excepting the voyage across the Atlantic in the Olympic. The Tahiti was mentioned as his favourite steamer, _ and described as a most comfortable ship.