The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-12

order to accommodate the books that are
being added to the collection. 1 would
call your attention to this fact, and re-
commend that it should be provided
with ample room
The state librarian presents his side
OF the case in the matter of the duph-
Gated books, to which your attention
is directed in connection with the report
of the secretary of the state historical
society. There is no reason why there
should not be perfect harmony be-
tween the two institutions. The
state apprODriateS the money which
buys the books for each. and the legis-
lature should decide specifically what
shall be done hereafter.
IRRIGATION.
A few years ago, the people of the
western part of the state became inter-
ested in the subject of irrigation, and
the cry of ''Irrigate or emigrate" was
used by those who believed that the
salvation of that portion of the state
depended upon the success or failure
of irrigation. Two years ago, a board
of irrigation was established by the
legislature, and an appropriation was
made for the purpose of experimenting
along the line of irrigation from wells.
l have been unable TO procure a copy
of the boards report, but 1 am inform
ed that in several places wells have
been put down, windmills erected, and
allowed to go to rack and ruin If there
have been any results obtained that
would justify the outlay of the apprO-
L
to what they were. People from the
western part OF the state, in interviews
and conversations, are divided upon
the question of whether irrigation from
this source can be made a success, or
not. Some go so far as to say that it
is a failure and a delusion; others say
that a continuation of the experiment
ought to be made in order to give 1T
fair trial.
1 would recommend to the legislature
that this receive careful investigation
at your hands. If. from the experience
of the board and it's results obtained so
far, together with that of individuals
who have tried it to their own salts
faction, it is found that irrigation of
this kind cannot be a success. would
recommend that the board be abolished
do not make this recommendation to
discourage the people of the western
part of the state. The admirable adj
Vantages offered stock men are prOba-
bly, superior to those offered to those
engaged in agriculture at times An
adaptation of means to ends Will enable
the people to avail themselves of all
the resources of that quarter of Kan
sas.
FORESTRY STATIONS.
The state forestry stations, established
in the western portions of the state for
the purpose of testing whether trees
of certain kinds could be successfully
raised have been in existence for sew
eral years.In my Judgment, the queS-
ton if it ever can be solved, has been
solved, and 1 would recommend that
unless the provision of establishment
make it's continuance for q specified
number of years obligatory and the
contract has not been filed on the part
of the state 50 that its adjustment
would lose the state the title to the land
that it be abolished.
SILK STATION.
Kansans have been since the organiZa-
ton of the state experimenting on differ
ent lines for the benefit of different in
cessfilIiv carried on in this state. Among
a a
been fnlIv Observation-Disclosures NOT ONLY nv this
Institution, but by individuals that silk
raising is not industry adapted TO
Kansas or one from which we can expect
to reap profits. The land on which the
station is located was decided to the state
under provisions that the station should
years. The general impression is that the
limitation of years has been reached Il
this be true l would recommend that the
station be abolished
LIVE STOCK SANITARY COMMISSION.
In my judgment one of the most i'm
portant if not the most important indus
try of our state is our cattle interests
mission came into existence for the ex-
press purpose of seeing that our quaran-
tagious diseases should be brought into
the state by the shipment of cattle from
do break out within our borders. that
they be quickly and efficiently stamped
out. The annual report of the sanitary
commission has received my careful at
tentiOn, and helive that it has done eff
Gent work during the last two years.
would ask of the legislature that the
needs of this important board be attend
ed to, and to the end that We may
have a feeling of security amongst
those who are interested in this
great industry. The statistics show that
kansas is forging ahead as a cattle rafs-
ing state. In western Kansas especially.
the finest cattle and beef are produced at
a nominal cost and L predict that in
few years the western part of the state
will enjoy extensive development of
this business I would recommend the
careful study of the boards report, and
that all necessary appropriations be made
great industry.