The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-08-08
GREAT WATER RESOURCES.
United States Geological Survey Pub
fishes Report on Water Supply.


fishes Report on Water Supply.
Water for irrigation is the life blood
Of the Hawaiian islands. During 1911
nearly 80 per cent. of the exports of the
| islands to the United States, valued at
more than S40,000,000, consisted of ag-
| ricultural products, and of this amount
90 per cent had either been absolutely
dependent on irrigation for its growth
or had required the application of water
at some period of other TO give the
largest and most profitable yield.
Recognizing the necessity for the care
full study OF the water resources of the
islands. the territory of Hawaii in 1909
enacted a law providing for a special in
come tax, one-fourth of the proceeds to
be devoted to the conservation and utili-
zation of natural resources, and entered
into a cooperative agreement with the
United States geological survey to make
a comprehensive study of water re-
sources. Since that time about $4,000
has been expended on this work, over
$4,000 having been contributed by the
territory and nearly $4,000 by the fed
eral government The work has been
carried on by and under the direction of
the geological survey, with much as
sistance on the part OF the territory and
private corporations and individuals.
As a result the geological survey has
just issued a large volume of $50 pages
descriptive of the water resources of the
Hawaiian Islands-Water supply paper
3ls, by W. F. Martin and @. H. Pierce.
This volume includes the result of daily
as Na,r 80 s,f
the principal streams and irrigation
bitches in the islands in the last four
years.
The critical period is approaching in
Hawaiian agriculture, and the point has
been reached in the utilization of water
at which ii is necessary to have def
mite information regarding the available
sources of water before further progress
can be made. As the limit of agricul-
tural development in the islands is con-
trolled principally by the possible water
supply, it is necessary either to tap new
and undeveloped sources or else to save
losses in existing supplies and so in
crease their economic value. The work
of the geological survey has already
proved of the greatest Importance, some
of the largest irrigation bitches, for ex-
ample, having been found to be deliver
ing much less water than was supposed.
The investigations of stream flow are,
however, by no means complete nor do
they include all the streams that might
be studied. The work
is still in progress and is being pushed
as rapidly as the combined appropria- |
lions of the territory and the United
States will permit.
The three principal crops of Hawaii |
ire sugar, rice, and taro. Sugar is by !
lar the most important product, and |
arge areas planted in cane depend en-
,irely on irrigation. Some of the lands |
ire naturally adapted to the growing of |
ice but require a certain quantity of |
water varying in amount with the stage /
VI the crop. Taro is also an important /
'rop. furnishing the staple food for a
considerable part of the population; it |
equires a continual application of /
yater during its growth. Taro is a large |
liant which yields a root tasting some
what like an Irish potato. 1t is grown
o a considerable extent in the United
states as an ornamental plant and is
popularity known as elephants ear.
A copy of water supply paper 3lS can
'e obtained free upon application to the
ireetor Of the geological survey. Wash
ngton, d. c.