The Winslow mail., 1911-06-10
LEARNING FROM U. S.
England to Enlarge Upon Irriga.
tion Methods Used Here.
Sum of $2,5oo,ooo Year Is Available
Now, and as Work Broadens
More Money Will 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 board
of development commissioners, upon
whose recommendation 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 $2,50O,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
ber 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 flax, the cultivation and manufac-
ture of tobacco, and any industries i'm
mediately connected with or sub
servient 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 agri-
culture, the organization of co-operat-
ing bodies, instruction in marketing
produce and the extension of the pro-
vision of small holdings. Forestry
work likewise may include expert
ments. the teaching of methods of
afforestation and the actual purchase
and planting of lands.
The road improvement clause pro-
vides for the appointment by the
treasury of a 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 to
be repaid from the road Improvement
grant.
The various provisions of the act
make it apparent that broad discre-
tionary powers are vested in the de-
velopment commissioners, and that
the results obtained will be largely in
fuenced by their decisions regarding
the lines of work to be entered upon
and the way in which the work is to
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, an
expenditure three times greater than
the sum available.
Bordeaux Mixture.