Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-11-26

H.
and experiments have been undertaken
In the feeding Of swine with various
tubers and roots.
The secretary regards II as extremely
desirable that agricultural lnvestlga-
lions should be undertaken in the
Philippine islands under the war de-
partment and in cooperation with the
department OF agrlcul ure In further
ance OF this work the secretary recon-
mends an additional appropriation of
$4,000 for the ensuing year.
IRRIGATION PROBLEM
The secretary devotes a great deal
of space TO Il discussion of Irrigation
Investigations, These have been con-
Quoted through the Office Of experiment
stations, and embrace:
! Studies of Irrigation laws and the
social and industrial institutions
Of irrigation and agriculture.
2. Investigation OF the methods by
which water il conserved, distributed
and used
In reference 20 the first subject. the
secretary states that the character of
titles to water finally recognized win
do more than all other influences COM
bined TO determine whether the west
ern farmers ought to be tenants or pro-
prletors, Naturally, this makes the
disposal Of the water resources Of the
West matter of vital importance. not
only to the persons directly interested,
but to the country at large
SUBJECT FOR LEGISLATION.
The secretary expresses the belief
that irrigation will in the near future
become a subject for legislation by
Congress, there being important rea-
sons why II should have the attention
of that body. At the same time he
says that those best Informed believe
that the uncertain character of water
rights can only be remedied by larger
measure Of public control and the maxi
ing OF certain classes OF irrigation
structures permanently public works.
These, It is urged, should not be owned
by private parties. and the argument
produced In favor Of constructing res
crvoirs by act of Congress ls the same
which iustitles setting aside forest re-
serves and the maintaining Of fund
to control them. on the other hand,
the secretary points out that an appro-
prlation Of money by Congress to con-
struct such irrigation works win
bring the country face to face with
new government policy and will carry
a larger measure OF public control over
the water resources Of the West than
has hitherto Prevailed or been sane
toned by public sentiment.
He reviews the influence of the land
laws on irrigation DEVELOPMENT. stating
that laws which control the disposal of
5OO,OOOO00 acres Of arid public lands
must have a vital influence upon the
success OF irrigated agriculture. He
condemns the desert land act, stating
that $40 acres is more than q man OF
moderate means can cultivate under
irrigation. Cutting down the entries
from $40 to 800 acres Is an Improvement
but he believes In the entire repeal of
the desert land act and In requiring
settlers or homesteaders to cultivate
as well as live upon their land
Referring TO the grazing lands. he
says probably 4OOOOO,OO0 acres OF the
public domain has no agricultural val
ne except for pasturage. II Is at pres
ent an open proposition with no Laws
for United States protection or disposal
lie refers TO the frequent conflicts OF
the farmers under irrigation with the
range stockmen, and recommends as a
remedy and a beneficial measure the
leasing Of the grazing land In such a
way as not 10 interfere with the home-
steader. The result he believes would
amount Of the aggregate to large
sum, which could be appropriately ap-
piled TO the reclamation OF tie irrlgable
lands He points out tha, such LEASING
Is not an experiment as II has been
tried although IN n limited way, in
Colorado, Idaho, Montana. Nebraska.
Utah ana Wyoming He winds up the
discussion OF the subject by present
Ing the following conclusions:
HIS CONCLUSIONS.
First-That private enterprise win
have to be supplemented by public aid
In the construction OF certain classes OF
irrigation works II we are 20 secure
the largest development Of western ae-
riculture.
second--That reservoirs located In
the channels OF running streams should
be public works.
Thlrd--That the first step toward ne-
tional aid for irrigation should be the
passage Of enlightened water laws BY
the states to be benefited.
Fourth-That the land laws should be
modified by repeating the desert act
and by requiring cultivation as we'll a.
residence on a homestead.
Ffth-That the non-irrlgabe grazing
lands should be leased In small tracts
SO as to unite the irrigable and the pas
ture lands.
SAN JOSE SCALE.
The discovery Is reported by an ca
pert OF the division sent 10 Asia for the
purpose that the San Jose scale Ia not
indigenous 10 japan. but that II Is So
In North China. II has been found in
a section OF that country where there
have been no fruit importations. and all
fruits are OF native sorts. Further. In
this district Il WAS found to have
natural enemy7a ladybird beetle--of
which the expert IN question has coll
lected many specimens and forwarded
them to Washington, and steps viii be
taken TO accllmate this important spe.
cies. This Importation will doubtless
prove Of extreme value 70 fruit-grow.
ers IN this country. Another valuable