Arizona sentinel., 1917-05-31

ca chairman of the board of the Reclamation Service have visited all of the reclamation projects so that know pretty we'll the existing conditions these pro- jects.
 The Chairman. Are you occupying that position now !?
 Dr. Mead. When the need for increasing food produc- on became manifest Secretary Lane asked to assist in the encouragement of cultivation the reclamation pro- ects four states the Pacific states and gagged that work present. in connection with my duties at the university. For years have been chairman of the colonization commission in California That commits sion has made very thorough study of the problems of land settlement and result of it's investigations recommended bill for state aid in land settlement which passed by the legislature of California at its last session. based quite largely the systematic aid and direction that gv in such work in Australia such aid and direction has gently been introduced in Canada and in operation number of European coutries
 Mr. Hayden. In your work in Australia, during that eight years you supervised the expenditure of considerable sums of money?
 Dr. Mead Yes.
 Mr. Hayden. How much?
 Dr. Mead. Between fifteen and twenty million dollars.
 Mr. Hayden In the construction of irrigation works?
 Dr. Mead. Yes and in buying and preparing land for settlement and assisting settlers
 Mr. Raker wish you would give the committee your experience in Austraiathat s the kind of work you did there that may have idea of that particular work in assisting the farmers to prepare their lands and handle their cultivation and crops?
 Dr. Mead will be very glad to do that because of it's relation to the problem that before you gentlemen but would like to do incidentally its relation conditions the projects that have visited in connection with your bill
 The Chairman. lust proceed in your way.
 Dr. Mead On undertaking this work for the depart men by first visit the Yuma Project The Yuma Pro- ect made up of land of great fertility and productvenes but is exceedngy difficult prepare that land for cult vaon because the surface somewhat and cred with very heavy growth of mesquite that the n al expenditure large The question up there What could be done get largest results in increasing produc rion that project? There about 10000 acres in the Yuma Valley that under cultivation today and there are 1900 of government land cultivated If leave the ordinary individual prepare this land for rrga tion would be 10 years before they will get their farms completely reclaimed but if the proper equipment is used that land could all be made ready for cultivation next year. Ii man can enter farm prepared for irrigation and he has the means of earning livelihood and getting an income that will pay for his living and his charges his condition infinitely better than if he has to face long period o unproductve labor in clearing his land So that has been recommended that the prepare that land for cultivation and that the cost of that preparation added to the selling price There will be no difficulty about getting settlers and difficulty about those settlers suc- ceedng if that is done.
 SOME VERY WHOLESOME ADVICE.