Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1911-06-15
LEARNING FROM U. S.
England to Enlarge Upon Irriga-
ton Methods Used Here.
sum Of $500 600 Year Is Available
Now, and as Work Rroadens
More Money viii Be Ex-
pended as Needed.


States department Of agriculture and |
by 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-
hensive of the kind ever undertaken
by any nation, is of much interest to
those in this country who are interest
ed 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 provi
sions of the act providing for a 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, the 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 s2,5O0,0O0 annually for
five years. To this, however. may be
added any special appropriations which
may be made subsequently, or any
gifts or legacies which may be forth
coming The fund is available until
used and any revenue derived from
such sources as interest or profits in
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
missioners, 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
dustries, as used In the act, is subse
quently 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
, mediately connected with or sub
servient to any Of these. The lines O
, development open also include The
; promoting of scientific research, in
struction and experiments in the sci
, ence, methods and practices of agrl
l culture. the organization of co-operat
ing bodies, instruction In marketin,
produce and the extension of the pro
E vision of small holdings Forestr,
! work likewise may include expert
; ments. the teaching of methods o
afforestation and the actual purchas
l and planting of lands.
The road Improvement clause pre-
3 vides for the appointment by tn
A treasury of a road board distinct from
the development commissioners. N,
funds are directly appropriated 70
this work. but provision is made 70
borrowing money from the consol
dated fund or from any other avail
{ able source, the sums so obtained t.
be repaid from the road improvement
r grant.
The various provisions Of the &C
e make 1t apparent that broad discre
b tionary powers are vested in the dc
? velopment commissioners, and tina
the results obtained will be largely II
3 huenced by their decisions regardin
the lines of work to be entered upo
r and the way in which the work is t
> be conducted. AS would be expected
? keen interest has been manifested +
7 the move throughout England. an
, the applications for aid already hav
e been so general that a statement Ia
r been issued that the grants alread
Y sought would involve. if granted. a
expenditure three times greater tina
the sum available.