Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-17

main canals and laterals of more than half
the water diverted from streams. We are
studying ways of stopping these losses,
which means 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 farmers that this
Is true. and studying means Of inducing
them to practice the economy which will
make possible another doubling OF the area
which can be reclaimed.
Object of Department
THE work of the Agricultural Depart
ment has so far been discussed from the
one standpoint of increasing the area re-
claimed. But this is not the most impor-
tant phase Of our work. The main object of
the department in all branches of its work
is to promote the prosperity Of our agricul-
tural population. and the first object in our
irrigation work is the welfare of those using
water.
The rights and privileges Of farmers with
regard to the use OF water are very largely
controlled by the laws Of the several states.
hence we are studying those laws. not from
the standpoint Of the lawyer or the courts.
whose duty 1t is to determine exactly what
the law is. largely regardless OF Its conse-
Quences. but from the standpoint OF the
farmers.
IAN the practical details OF irrigation
farming are also being studied for the pur-
pose Of giving to farmers the benefits OF
the experience Of all others. These studies
include methods OF preparing land for irri-
cation: methods of locating and construct
ing laterals and Of making the small struc-
lures needed in applying water to crops.
I'VE studying methods of applying
water to crops to Determine which are the
most economical of labor and water, which
produce the best results in crops, and IN the
condition of the soil.
r Farmers cannot as rule. make these
experiments for the improvements OF the
crops themselves. They are dependent upon
the returns from the fields for their living
and must therefore stick to methods and
to crops which have proven to be success
full. Progress in agriculture, both in the
arid region and elsewhere, must depend
very largely upon the work Of the govern
ment In testing new ideas and introducing
those which prove beneficial.
The east has one great advantage Of the
west In irrigation-it has much larger
water supply, owing to the heavier rain
fall The question Of a water supply is
therefore of much less relative Importance
than 1t Is in the west. In the east the main
question Is the agricultural one: VIII irri-
cation pay? This of course. includes the
study Of methods which will make 1t most
profitable. Our work in the east has gone
far enough to show that in raising small
fruits and vegetables, at least. irrigation
pays WELL Experiments have been carried
On In New Jersey for number of years.
Our reports show that for the years 1898
and 1899 irrigated blackberries yielded
about a per cent more than unirrigated.
the increased yield being worth more than
S99 per acre. The increased yield Of cur
rants was q per cent, worth 1890 per
acre. The increased yield Of sweet corn
was 515 per cent: sweet potatoes, 72.6 Per
cent. worth 1858 per acre: lima beans. 23S
per cent: watermelons, 40 per cent, and
Irish potatoes. 1914 per cent.
wisconsin has been chosen as typical OF
the middle west, and we have carried on
cooperative experiments at the agricuitu-
raj experiment station of that state to de-
termine the value Of irrigation in raising
general farm crops These experiments
have covered a number of years The
average net profit. after deducting all ex-
the cost OF irrigation works and the do
probation Of the plant. has ben for hay,
$40 per acre; corn, 81 per acre. and pota-
toes, s73 per acre. What has bsen done at
the middle west. and the possibilities of in
creasing the products of our farming areas
In this way are almost unlimited
Alkali Soils.
at is estimated that about 100000 acres
Of land at present under irrigation in the
western United States are lying idle solely
because they contain too much alkaH to
permit paying crops being produced. When
ever practicable it is advisable to reclaim
land OF this character by washing and
drainage Nevertheless. In much Of this
land and that which may be irrigated IN
the future the establishment OF a proper
drainage system could not be probably
undertaken under existing conditions. The
question Is. can anything else be done with
such land?
ITO answer this query the bureau of
plant industry is endeavoring to secure
crops suitable for cultivation in aIkaH soils
Other parts Of the world. where the alkal
problem Is serious one, are being ex-
plored with view to importing such OF
their useful plants as endure large
amount Of these harmful salts. AS re-
suit, seed Of resistant alfalfa has been OBJ
tanned from Algeria and Turkestan, cotton
from Egypt for trial in the warmer parts
of the southwest, and promising varieties
Of wheat and barley from various coun-
trees. such the date palm and The p.s-
tache, have also been imported
I'm the United States alfalfa does not
generally stand more than one-half per
cent Of white alkali In the upper six feet
of soil. In the GASES In the Sahara desert
kind has been found which thrfves in
soil containing as much as l per cent of
these salts in the surface foot. If this al
falfa can be adapted to American condi-
lions and retains here Its high degree of
resistance a large per cent of the entire
100000 acres Of alkali land already men,
toned could be put into this crop. In the
great increase in irrigated area which IS
bound to come In the near future this work
will become still greater in Importance
when alkalt has to be commended with and
drainage Is not practicable"
pApT1ES JTNnEp ACT