Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-09-17

respects are being served with different
quantities. Of water to determine what
quantities give the best results This work
has not gone far enough to justify con.
illusions, but there is every reason 10 be-
llevo that the duty thus established viii
be much higher than that now secured
even by the more economical farmers
thereby making possible stu further cx.
tension Of the area which can be re-
claimed.
CLIMATE AFFECTS PLANTS.
"But the possibilities win not then be
exhausted. II Is well known fact that
plants will adapt themselves to new ell
matte conditions There are great possi-
billties along the line Of developing plants
which will produce equally good results
with less water than is required by the
plants now grown In the arid region. In
cooperation with the state experiment
stations we are working on the produce
tlon aud introduction OF such varieties.
. DEPARTMENTS WORK.
"ro sum up what the department OF
agriculture Is doing to further the prime
object of this congTess-the greatest pos
sible extension of the area irrigated.
our measurements show losses from
main canals and laterals Of more than
half the water diverted from streams.
We are studying ways OF stopping these
losses, which means a doubling OF the
area which can be reclaimed.
"Our measurements of the quantities
of water used indicate that the duty of
water can be doubled even under present
methods. We are demonstrating to farm
ers that this Is true. and studying means
Of inducing them To practise the economy
Which will mako possible another doubling
OF the area which can be reclaimed
we are experimenting with improved
methods ana new plants IN the hope that
the water requirements may be still fur
Their reduced. permitting q still wider ex-
tension OF the area which can ultimately
be reclaimed,
WORK OF SURPLUS WATER.
"Thls great increase in area is possible
through the saving OF what Is now vast
ed, But the damage resulting from losses
of water from canals and IRON use OF too
much water ~ not limited to reduction
in the area reclaimed The surplus water
Is actually reducing the area now farmed
by swapping fertile lands and bringing
to the surface such quantities VI alkili as
TO Kill all useful vegetation We are
studying means OF relieving these condl-
tons both In this country ana In the older
countries where the damage has been OF
long standing, ana are making expert
ments along the same line In a number
OF places throughout the west We have
also employed drainage engineer whose
entire time Is occupied In advising COM
munlties as to methods and plans for re-
lieving wet and alkali lands. There is n
peculiar reason why this work should be
uONs pN lnt government. me water
which ruins a mans farm does not as "A
rule, come from his own wastefu use, but
from some canal over which he has no
control or from lands lying higher than
his own, so that he Is In a measure help
less to prevent the injury No improve
ment In his own practise can ward on
the damage For this reason this work
belongs especially To the public, Just as
does the enforcement of quarantine regu-
lations.
1.-THE work OF the agricultural depart
ment has 80 far been discussed from tho
one standpoint Of increasing the area re-
claimed But this Is not the most i'm
portant phase Of our work. The main OBJ
ject OF the department in all branches Of
its work Is TO promote the prosperity OF
our agricultural population, and the first
object In our irrigation work is the well
fare of those using water.
RIGHTS OF FARMERS.
"The rights and privileges Of farmers
with regard To the use of water are very
largely controlled by the laws Of the sew
eral states, hence we are studying those
laws. not from the standpoint OF the law
yer or the courts, whose duty II is - de-
termine exactly what the law is. largely
regardless Of IT, consequences but from
the standpoint OF the farmers, to see
whether the privileges accorded to them
and the limitations placed upon them tend
to promote their prosperity, and from the
standpoint OF the nation, to determine
whether the laws as they arc promote
the largest and best use of our water
supply, II they fail IN either Of these
objects, It Is our work to find the cause
and. recommend the changes which ara
needed,
LOCAL CUSTOMS,
But not all the limitations upon tho
use of water by farmers are contained In
the laws. Farmers are united either as
purchasers OF rights from canal c0mpan-
les or as members OF stocks companies,
and they are controlled fully as much by
the terms OF their water right contracts
or the articles OF Incorporation and the
bylaws OF their stock companies, as they
are by the laws, There are also local Gus
toms with all the force of law These
rules, whether prescribed by contracts, by
bylaws, or by custom haze very
marked influence on the welbeng OF tho
farmers who are subject to them. We are
studying these institutions 10 determine
which are good, and therefore both laws
and institutions are very largely beyond
the influence Of the individual farmer. lie
has no choice but 10 comply with their
requirements. We, therefore. owe II to
him TO make these conditions what they
should be.
IAN the practical details Of irrigation
farming are also being studied for
the purpose Of giving 10 farm
ers lhe benefits OF the experience
Of all others. These studies include
?
methods OF locating and constructing LAT.
erals. and Of making the small structures
needed IN applying water TO crops.
We are studying methods Of applying
water 10 crops 10 determine which are tho
most economical Of labor and water
which produce tho best results In crops
and In the condition OF the soil.
WHAT EXPERIMENTS SHOW.
Experiments In this country and olse.
where have shown that the stage of
the growth Of the plant at which water rs
applied has a great deal to do with tho
crops produced. The experiments show
that water applied 10 grain crops az GER
tain stages tend 10 make them produce
q larger relative quantity of straw than
they otherwise would; water applied nj
other stages tends TO Increase the produc.
ton OF seed Water applied TO root crops
M certain stages makes them run 10 tons.
ana al other Stages u goes 10 enlarge the
roots The time Of applying water 10
beets auccis their sugar content and wa.
yer applied 10 potatoes at the wrong Tina
may ruin the crop, all these things are