Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, September 10, 1909, Image 1

Rogue River courier., September 10, 1909, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextVOL. XXV. PRACTICAL TALK U ARnilT IRRinAT ION auuui iiiuiuiii tun IMPORTANT FACTS THAT IRRI GATORS SHOULD KNOW THE VALUE OF WATER The ABC of the Whole Business of Irrigation Explained to Water Users. GRANTS PASS, JOSEPH1XK COUXTY, ORKGOX.FKIDAV, SKlTKMlUUt 10 1009. Xo. 21. (By Ellaa Ruud, Consulting Engineer.) Article Xo. 4. Row to Irrigate a Steep Hillside. Thla question is met the very mo ment that a high line Irrigation ditch becomes ready for operation. If the Question 13 made applicable to this district at Grants Pass where the hillsides are steep and Irregular, and the soil varying in character, It be comes a problem that only experi ence can solve, If the methods sug gested in this article are found in adequate. It goes without saying that all grounds must be thoroughly pre pared for Irrigation. And preparing floes not only mean that the soil should be cultivated and made por ous so as to facilitate the absorption of the water, but the surface should low you absorbing the best or your land and the most of the fruits of your labor. Flooding by Checks. This Irrigation Is accomplished by raising little check levees about a foot high along the contour lines of the hillside, the distance to be gov erned by the slope so that the top of the check will be on a level with the bottom of the levee above, and when the water is led down In a ditch to the levee and turned In it Is retained by the levee and soaks into the ground. The upper part? are thus Irrigated first, the next be low and so on. This method is a very good one, as it obviates the loss of fine material by washing. The only drawback Is in the fact that more water soaks In at the lower side of the checked belt than at the upper. But in a general way the plan is satisfactory. These checks or ridges can generally be turned up with a plow, or if the scheme is car ried on on a larger scale, with a scraper. These checks can either be made permanent and will last from year to year, or they can be made simply by turning up the loose soil for the occasion. The closer the checks are together the better the scheme will work, but on steep side hills, very low checkridges will come so close together that it would inter fere with the cultivation of the soil. Always bear in mind that irriga tion applied in the ideal way is not to let a stream of water run over the land, but to cover the land with a still water to such an extent only that all of the water will be absorbed and no more. Then allowing the surface to dry, cultivate to prevent evaporation, and the application will keep that piece of ground In fit con- TO PUSH IRRIGATION -IMPORTANT MEETING Interesting and Highly Satisfactory Financial Showing of Receipts and Expenditures. Flooding by Terraces. This method is by far the best on he smoothed and leveled, so as to nermit the water to cover the entire ; ditlon for a long time. . . I i.'i i:.... i... r.. mrfflce. when the water is allowed n stand in pools in the hollows, leaving the humps dry, no good re-jS'eep hillsides. It is really only an tult can be obtained by irrigation, jexaggerated form of the che-k Labor and money expended on j system. The land is terraced off padtng and leveling is well invested i'" different levels and a small wall capital. On slopes the main point or check is built up on the lower I, to make the slopes perfectly uni- edge to retain the water to allow it form where possible. Water is put on a hillside by the following methods: Side Hill Flooding. This method of simply letting the water run over your sld.'hlll by cut tint? a number of holes In the lower Bide of your distributing ditch and then letting the water run down the slope, allowing It to spread out side ways In Us downward course, is ob jectionable for several reasons. First, It Is sure to cut the land to pieces; and as the cuts deepen, the Idoway spreading diminishes and the method fails. This will be seen most quickly where the soil Is loose, llfte the granite In this region, or where It Is well and deeply culti vated. If you have a field In crop where no provision has been made for Irrigation, this of course Is the only method, and where the surface Is welt knit together by the roots of the crop It will not cause much dam age If the water Is applied carefully and slowly. Second, as water has a tendency to wash with It the finest particles Of the soil, those of really the great est value to the life of the plants, you stand a chance of losing more than gaining by Irrigation, the creek below or your wise nelghbbor be- to soak In. Where the subsoil is well packed, these terraces will be come permanent and the cultivation by terraces has always been found convenient and profitable. The water to the land is conducted from the main feeding ditch by a box, or a pipe and let out on the level of the first terrace, always beginning the Irrigation with the highest terrace. I The shaping of the ground for this system is naturally costly work, but the entire sldehill has not to be ter raced at once, as the unterraced part !...,., I.,, I,.,.,,t,,,l hv llll'lkn lis de- scribed above. A fourth system of irrigating a steep sldehill can be adopted and we will call that: Sidehill Irrigation by Furrows. The water la let in at the highest point of the hillside and Is conducted over the land In furrows drawn near ly along the lines of equal elevation, allowing no more drop than Is necess ary to make the water run, zigzag ging back and fm- These furrows are merely surface scratcnings mm as soon as the hill has been thor oughly soaked with water and the surface dry enough, they are blotted out by the cultivation and mulching of the top soil. (Continued on Seventh Page.) After some weeks of inactivity there was a very important meeting held by the Josephine County Irriga tion and Power company on Friday night of last week at the rooms of the Commercial Club. There were present twenty or more business men who took deep Interest in the pro ceedings. President Gllkey called the meeting to order and Secretary Rlggs occupied his desk as usual. There was much of the old-time en thusiasm displayed by many persons during the evening and there were many expressions of satisfaction as to the success of irrigation and the the success of irrigation and the amount of work accomplished dur ing the past season. The president made a talk along the lines of what had been accomplished in the way of construction of the various Irri gation canals and the money that had been expended and the work re maining to be undertaken during this fall and winter. Referring to the work of the past season a financial statement was ex hibited covering all the details of the money secured and expended. Following the reading of the fin ancial statement Mr. Gllkey told of the Important work which must be undertaken at once. First came the large gravity canal which was to cover the bottom lands on the north side. This, he said, was ex pensive work and the great misfor tune was that of the 3,500 acres and more which would come under this ditch little had been subscribed for construction. The 200-foot ditch had to be extended a considerable distance to cover the lands of those who had come forward and taken stock, and the Frultdale ditch need ed considerable work. All of which must be looked after in the near future. Referring to finances, Mr. Gllkey said that under the plan of the company ditch extension bad to be made from money subscribed by land owners under that par levlar ditch and tinder this rule, which was the only just way of proceeding. It became necessary to ask the land owners In the lower bottom to sub scribe the amount needed to make the extension. Me said, In answer to a question, that the gravity ditch was completed the distance of a mile below the dam and considerable work had been done on It a mile and a half farther. At this point there was consider able discussion as to the best ine- thod of procedure to secure the sub scriptions to go on with the work on this ditch. Mr. Gilkey finally said he thought of appointing a commit tee of twenty-five business men to undertake to dispose of stock suf ficient among the land owners down the river to go on with the con struction of the line. He made the statement regarding the resources of the company as follows: There was $10,000 available for work on the Frultdale and on the 200-foot ditch on the north side, and If $10, 000 could be raised among the land owners In tho bottom this would bo all the money needed to do the work the coming winter and spring. This practical way of dealing with tho question brought out a motion to ap point the president's proposed com mittee of twenty-five. The motion was put and carried. The committee was at once named as follows: The Soliciting Committee. R.L. Coe, Isaac Best, J. E. Hair, Lee Calvert. E. S. Shank, J. T. Tuffs, O. S. Rlanchnrd, J. D. Fry, Jos. Moss, Harry Andrews. O. C. Sabln, C. O. Coutant, H. L. KlKnney, C. C. Pres ley, R. R. Turner, Dr, M. C. Find lay, II. D. Norton, C. P. Bishop, O. ,A. Hamilton, II. C. Bobzeln, L. n. Hall, Frank Mashburn, Geo. Calhoun, L. Tj. Jewell, J. O. Booth, S. J. Burke. R. L. Coe was made chairman of the committee of twenty-five and blue prints were at once prepared showing the line of the ditches al ready constructed and their exten sions. The chairman organized his committee Into sub-committees to visit property owners on the river bottom and to secure as many sub scriptions as possible. This work was commenced on Thursday, since which time no report has been re ceived. Secretary ,1. G. Rlggs. In speaking of the importance of the undertaking in band, said: "If work Is to continue the owners of property to be benefited must sub scribe for stock to the full amount of the property benefited. The busi ness men of Giants Pass are now carrying the big end of the stick and to this they have made no objection. Inasmuch as thev felt that Irrigation to a certain extent was an experi ment, but now It has been proven by those who have used the water that no soil or spot on the coast responds so abundantly as our own locality; therefore, the land owners must now take up the burden ami push it to completion. It Is true that many of our people are not In a fin ancial condition to subscribe, but they can and must do as has been done in other places, I. e., sell a part of their land in order to Improve the balance." Will Take Down Old Bridge. A contract has been let by the board of county commissioners for the taking down of the old bridge and W. H. Kenney is the contractor. The price agreed upon for doing the work is $1550, and this includes pil ing up the material In a workman like manner on the bank of the river without injury to any of the materi al. Mr. Kenney has entered into a bond of $10,0,00 not only for the faithful performance of his duty in this manner, but that he will not In jure the new steel bridge In remov ing the old one. He Is to complete his contract on or before November the 1st. THIS TIME LIEUTENANT ROUT. K. TEAKY DOES IT RAILROAD MAGNATE HARRIMAN DEAD Event Occurred at His Anion Homo nt 3:. 13 Thursday After-noon. NEW YORK, Sept. 9. Announce ment is made that Harrlman Is dend. This Is official and has been con firmed. Mr. Harrlman died at his home In Arden at 3:35 thla afternoon. Mr. Harrlman had been in 111 health for a long time. He was born at Hemp stead, L. I., February 25, 1848. Mr. Harrlmnn's death hnd been expected for several days. Last Sun day ho suffered a serious relapse, duo to an acute attack of Indigestion, and he was unable to rally from the critical condition which then threat ened his life. With him at tho time of his death were all tho members of his Immediate family and Dr. Lylo. Judge, Lovett, tho close friend and business associate of Mr. Harrlnnin, received tho first word of tho flnan cler's death at the Union Puclflc of fices and left immediately for Arden Mr. Harrlman Is survived by a widow, two sons, Avery and Roland Harrlman, and three daughters, Mrs Robert Gerry, Miss Mary nnd Miss Carol Harrlman. The news reached Wall street be fore It was made known elsewhere and produced a decided sensation In financial circles where he had been a familiar figure so long. Fortun ately the stock exchange had closed for the day and brokers were on their way home when the news reached them. This gave tho mar ket n chance to prepare for the event before tho next day's session of tho Exchange opened. THE NORTH POLE AGAIN DISCOVERED TWO AMERICAN VICTORIES lie Scientific World Honors Deed of Vnitod States Arctic Ex-plorers. STATEMENT OF THE JOSEPHINE COUNTY IRRIGATION AND POWER COMPANY Grants Pass, Joso'iblne County, Oregon, at the close of business, August 14th, 1909. ' Iteceiiit. cent $ 49K.75 4i.sr 4X3. 7f, 4.47H.40 Assessment No. 1, 5 per Assessment No. 2, 5 per c Assessment No. 3, f per ( Assessment No. 4, 15 per cc No. 5, 10 per cent 3,864.1 0 No. fi, 10 per cent 3, 2 25.fi 5 Special New Arrivals Large Assortment of CHINA Cake IMuU , B M m Cups ami Su:Ti Covt-ml MiL';ir r"w j; Vegetable Disln Aiijitjiio lOc ea. !'" -r 1 0' O'Neill neHoeTn Assessment A uui'uumenf .iuuexMiiient No. 7. 10 iier cent 3,03 4.00 Assessment No. 8. 10 per cent H"!! Assessment No. 9, 10 per cent ,JJ Assessment No. 10 ,H,r Stock paid up In full mn.i. 122,068.75 Disbursement. General Expense Preliminary Survey Machinery, tools and horses Golden Drift Mining Company , f I.H03.44 . 1.250.00 . 3,011.10 , 1,592.55 (-'in inn material account 894.87 Ditch, North 200, engineering t .." Ditch, North 200, construction 6,112.83 Ditch, South 350, engineering $ 470.50 Ditch, South 350, construction 2,331.60 6,805.89 Pave to the Itililge. The Courier on Thursday made a practical Investigation as to the wishes of the property owners be tween M street und the steel bridge as to their preferences in paving that street. It was found that a majority favored hard pavement and none cared to have macadam, each giving as a reason for his opposl Hon that such pavement was only a makeshift at best and was not worth the original cost, let alone the constant repair that would be necessary, liltullthlc seemed to be the favorite on that part of the street. This was, of course, only a straw vote, but then the old saying Is that straws tell which way the wind blowB. 2,802.10 Ditch, Gravity, engineering $ 208.50 niiiii Crnvltv. construction 2,832.33 3,040.83 Dltih. South 200, engineering f 178.25 Hitch, South 200, construction 371.90 550.15 Malanre In bank 245.82 Gush on hand ' 2 " $22,068.75 $ 7.50 12.50 Unpaid Kiil rlpf lorn. Ilalance due on 1st assessment ii ,1uii i iltin fin 2nd HHHeMHinent Ha lance due on 3rd- assessment Balance due on 4th assessment 359. 2. i Haiance due on 5th assessment '!'''?',,,? T'i.l.'itim Hue on 6th assessment 8H7.!).i Italaiice due tin 7th assessment 1,079.00 Halatico duo on 8th assessment 1,307.00 Rogue River Improvement. Jos. Moss, or Hie committee on river improvements, has been In vestlgatlng the condition of the rapids above town and has had an expert to look over the work necess ary to be done and will make u re port to tho dub on Monday night which will show Homewwhate In do tall his Investigations and what has yet to be done before boats can be run to the Anient dam. (Julie number of people aro deeply Inter ested In this subject and will be Kind to learn the success of the movement to make the river navlg able from the steel bridge to tho dam. The work Is In good bands. Mrs. Nellie Tryer and daughter, Miss Louise HlrdHiill, returned Thursday evening from Seattle llalanop due on 9th assessment 1 702 r' where they have been since Juno $",735.20 ' vMtlTiit relatives. Last week the Courier gave aa account of Dr. Frederick A. Cook's visit to the North Pole and our read ers found it an exciting Btory and this week we have to announce the successful results of the Robert E. Peary expedition with the steamer Roosevelt, which marks the fact that two Intrepid American explorers have reached a point in the north which has been the ambition of tho people of all countries for centuries past. In round numbers thousands hate lost their lives In tho attempt to reach the North Pole and hore two men reached tho goal with the lose of only one man. It will be remembered that Dr. Cook reported renchlng the North Pole (that charmed spot on which you mny Btand and turn nuy way you may, you will face tho Routh) on the 21st of April, 1908. Robert E. Peary returns later and reports the dlscov ery of the pole April 6th, this year. We gave tho various dispatches printed in the great dallies regarding tho two expeditions. Commander Robert E. Peary on Tuesday officially notified the Na tlonal Geographical Society that he had reached tho North Pole. The board of managers of the society, through President Willis L. Moore, telegraphed tho following reply to Peary's message: "In answer to your telegraphic, re port that you have reached the North Pole, tho National Geographical So clety, through tho action of Its board of tnanngers, today extends to you Its heartiest congratulations on your great achievement." The statement given out by the board, besides giving the congratu latory message, says: Tho board of iiiatniNcra of the Na tional Goographleul Society today de- Ided to take no action regarding honors of arctic explorers until after detailed observations and record! are submitted to and pnssed upon by oinpetent authorities." Robert E. Peary, having discover ed the North Polo on April 6, 1909, as told In his series of messages Monday from Labrador, was figura tively lost to the world last night, homeward bound on the RoobovoU. At Copenhagen royalty continued to pay homago to Dr. Frederick A. Cook, who announced ho hnd unfurl ed the flag of his country at tho Pole on April 21, 1908. Neither saw In dications of tho other's achievement, both will be In the United States be fore the close of the present month. Commander Peary on the Roose velt, according to tho best reckoning, was In the vicinity of tho Strait of Hello Isle, between Newfoundland and the Province of Quebec, last night. Inadequate telegraphic facili ties may move him to decide, to pro ceed to North Sydney, N. 8., before he gives the world details of hie triumph. Commander Peary had intended stopping at Chateau Hay, Labrador, but the telegraph station there was abandoned some time ago. It Is 450 miles from Chateau Ray to North Sydney and the tlmo of his arrival can only bo guessed. The Roose velt may reach there Inte Wednesday, Hny No Won! About Cook. INDIAN IIARIIOR, Sept. 7. De spite his many hardships In the Arctic reglns, Commander Peary ap pears to be In tho best of health and spirits. When told that Dr, Cook had re ported finding the North Pole, those on bonrd tho Roosevelt expressed surprise, but declined to make any statement other than that no tracee of any previous expodltlon had been found.