Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1911-06-15
LEARNING FROM U. S.
England to Enlarge Upon lrriga-
ton Methods Used Here.
Sum of s2,5oo,ooo a Year Is Available
Now, and as Work Broadens
More Money Will Be Elk
pended as Needed.

pended as Needed.
Confronting problems analogous 10
those encountered by the United
States department Of agriculture and
py experiment station workers in this
country, and guided in the venture to
no small extent by citing American
experiences and results. Great Britain
Is formulating plans for the greater
development of the economic re-
sources of the United Kingdom by
means of government aid. This move
IN England. one of the most compre.
hensiye of the kind ever undertaken
by any nation, Is of much interest to
those in this country who are interest.
cd In the American methods OF stimu-
lating agricultural advancement
The plans are the result of an act
OF parliament known as the develop.
ment and road Improvement act. AL
though not restricted to agriculture
the act seems likely to lead to far
reaching benefits TO that industry
Having studied the methods of the
American department OF agriculture
and the United States reclamation
service. which was created for the
benefit Of the people through the eff
forts Of the National Irrigation Con
gress. the British idea is to enlarge
to a considerable extent upon Ameri.
can methods. one of the first proyi-
sions of the act providing for board
OF development commissioners. upon
whose recommendations advances
may be made from the treasury.
These advances may be employed
for the aiding and developing Of agri-
culture and rural industries. forestry.
the reclamation and drainage of unoc-
cupied lands. the general improve.
ment Of rural transportation. the con
struction and improvement OF harbors
and inland navigation. TIE develop.
ment and Improvement OF fisheries
and for any other purpose which the
commissioners decide will promote the
economic development OF the United
Kingdom.
The funds available for this work
consist OF what is known as the con
solidated fund. for which the new act
appropriates S2.500.O0O annually for
i've years. To this. however. may be
added any special appropriations which
may be made subsequently. or any
gifts or legacios which may be forth
coming. The fund Is available until
used. and any revenue derived from
such sources as interest or profits I'm
the repayment OF loans or the sale OF
farm products may also be utilized.
The commissioners constitute the
administrative body in charge Of the
fund There are five OF these com
miss!oncrs. appointed by King George
for ten years each. the tenure being
so devised that the term OF one mem
Der expires every two years Two of
the commissioners may receive sal
aries not TO exceed $4,000 per year
each
The term agriculture and rural in.
dus,ries. as used In the act. is subse
qucntly defined as including agricul
ture. horticulture. dairying. the breed
ing OF horses. cattle and other live
stock. the cultivation and preparation
Of fax. the cultivation and manufac
ture OF tobacco. and any industries i'm
mcdiatcly connected with or sub
scryicnt to any of these The lines OF
development open also include the
promoting Of scientific research, in
struction and experiments in the sci
ence. methods and practices OF agrl
culture. the organization of cooperate
ing bodies. instruction in marketing
produce and the extension of the pro-
vision of small holdings Forestry
work likewise may include expert
mcnts. the teaching Of methods OF
aforestation and the actual purchase
and planting of lands.
The road Improvement clause pro
vides for the appointment by the
treasury of road board distinct from
the development commissioners. No
funds are directly appropriated for
this work. but provision is made for
borrowing money from the consoli
dated fund or from any other avail
able source. the sums so obtained tC
be repaid from the road improvement
grant.
The various provisions OF the act
make II apparent that broad discre
tionary powers are vested in the de
velopment commissioners. and that
the results obtained sill be largely in
nuenced by their decisions regarding
the lines of work to be entered upon
and the way in which the work is &c
be conducted. As would be expected
keen interest has been manifested In
the move throughout England. and
the applications for aid already have
been so general that a statement has
been issued that the grants already
sought would involve. If granted. al
) expenditure three times greater thar
the sum available.