Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-01-21

SIN the preparation OF this report it is !
sought 20 keep constantly in view the legiti-
mate purpose of the work, namely, the
promotion of agricultural prosperity by
irrigation In California. 1t is believed that
this is to be accomplished by the establish
ment of thorough general understanding
of the problems of irrigation on the part of
those who have to do with its practice, and
those who are charged with the making of
laws 10 foster and control its development.
1.-The subject is great one, presenting
many phases 1t has its legal, social, polit-
zeal, economic, physical, technical and
practical problems. He who would under
stand this subject must look well TO these,
one and all.
Z" In addition to the study of the irriga-
ton questions as founded upon apparent
conditions around us here, | have endeav-
ored to bring to our enlightenment, by the
results of such labor, the legitimate out
comes of irrigation experiences elsewhere.
The ground which l have traversed has
| been marked out in the foregoing table of
contents. Some of the results are embodied
| in final form in the advance sheets TO fol-
| low.
No attempt has been made TO write
textbook for lawyers, a manual for engi-
neers, or complete guide to practice for
| irrigatorS, nor a treatise for the scientist or
| the political economist But each will find
| in this report, when finished, very much
which probably would not otherwise come
| TO his notice and SO linked with the phase
of the question of which he may make Il
special study. that he will be Profited by the
reading and prepared 10 be less uncompro-
missing in his views.
This question will be n living one,
growing in importance, and pressing for
|
come; and this report has been framed
and carried forward with view of faciii-
tating this action
That irrigation interests exist not alone
in the southern part of the State, is evil
denced by the Surveyor-GeneraGs report OF
1880, in which Modoc county is credited
with an irrigated area of "A, coo acres, Siski-
YOU with 100 irrigation bitches and %, 00O
acres Of irrigated land; lands are being
irrigated in Plunas, and those who have
facilities to do 50 use water III the Sacra-
mento valley, where irrigation is rapidly
growing in Importance.
notable feature OF the report is the sys-
TEN in its arrangement, which is evidenced
by the table of contents or outline matter
given for the whole work in the first part Of
the volume now at hand, which indicates
that the State Engineer has been thorough
and concise, and at the same time produced
a work highly readable upon the subject.
Another feature worthy of note, is the
system of references adhered to- Authors;
ties are quoted freely, and specific reference
made for each important point, and the
whole line of authorities for each chapter
is cited at a table at its end. Thus the
work becomes a key to the literature of The
subject, and opens up field for reading by
the people which heretofore has been as {
sealed book
Tie State Engineer reports that his work
$50 far as it is advisable to carry it at pres
ent, is very near completion, and that the
maps also, although not fully completed
are in readiness to go into the hands of the
photographer"
He recommends that the report anC
maps be published, and sold at rates sucf
as will reimburse the State at least for cos
, of publication. Irrigation being subjec
now attracting attention over the entire
country from the Mississippi to the Pacific
the State Engineer believes the work will
meet with ready sale