The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-02

Congress has taken preliminary ac-
| ton towards solving the problem of ir-
rigation, to the end that the uses of
| water for irrigation purposes may be
handled scientifically. The result we
know will be of great value to the soil
producers of this and other States con-
tanning large tracts of, not only arid
lands, but those which may be mater
tally assisted by the systematic use of
| water.
This work has been referred to the
Department of Agriculture which has
already made special efforts to secure
the aid of scientific training and prac-
teal knowledge in the uses of water
for irrigating purposes.
With view Of properly forming plans
for this great work, a convention of ir-
rigating engineers and officers of ex-
pertinent stations was held last sum-
mer in Denver, Col, to discuss the
problems of irrigation. AS result of
this conference the Department of Az
riculture has outlined it's work on two
general lines % the collation. and pub
lication of information regarding laws
and institutions of the irrigated region
IN their relation to agriculture and (2)
the publication of available informe-
ton regarding the uses of irrigation
waters in agriculture. as determined by
actual experience of farmers and ex-
perimental Investigations in this line
by experiment stations Bulletins
VIII be prepared by competent experts
and distributed, thereby giving in de-
tail Information for the systematic uses
or water for irrigating growing crops.
The Secretary of Agriculture aptly
says: 1T is clear that crisis has been
reached in the life of the community
In which agriculture is dependent upon
irrigation for its success. The laws
and institutions relating to irrigation.
which have grown up in these commu-
mites, have in many ways proved so
inadequate and unsatisfactory that
there is widespread feeling that rad
ical and immediate action is demanded
for their reformation One fundamen-
tai investigation which should be i'm
mediately undertaken relates to the
correct determination of the practice
of successful farmers in the use of
water for irrigation with different soils
and crops"
1t should be plain to every soil pro-
lONNNi "a Sdii1oi lid Will TIE experiences
of the season just closed, that a general
system of irrigation is wanted, and
| which would be- of incalculable value to
our agricultural resources, thereby in
surfing an annual output, and reducing
to a minimum the chances of crop fail
ures that appear periodically through
lack of moisture.
The idea is, to our mind, most practi-
cable, and should be pushed to compile
| ton without delay There is at the
present time more idlel capital available
| for permanent investment than for
many years past owing to the absence
OF large enterprises for it's employment
The plans to be proposed is the build
| ing and maintenance of large irrigat-
ling works which would offer a safe
| field for the use of money and the en-
ployment of labor.
| The country now demands such pre-
cautionary measures as here suggested
! to protect small holdings in the grow
ing of crops against failure, as it is this
class that suffers mostly when a
drought occurs, and with the supply of
water available in this State, there is
no good reason why 1t would not be a
feasible undertaking.
| We sincerely trust that this enterprise
will be favored by our Senators and
Representatives in Congress.