Imperial Valley press., 1934-03-01

carry it on extensively. During the
year lust concluded the DIVISION
has. in fact, been called upon 1or
important examinations OF TINS ma
ture by the state of oregon, Whlle
similar Investigations were maze at
the behest of the Farm Credit Aa-
ministration into the eligibility 1or
federal farm loans of the irrigated
farms of Imperial and Coachelia
valleys of California and those OF
Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas -
two of the most important agricul-
tural communities i'll the United
States-.where conditions were SO
confused as to call for the services
of unbiased experts not convenient
ly available from other organiza-
tions. Present prospects are that
the demands for this character OF
service will increase considerably,
because of the growing seriousness
of the situation.
Continued use of water in irriga-
ton eventually results in the return
of substantial portions OF 1t to the
streams from which it was divert
ed. The ownership of this return
water is a matter over which at
first there is small controversy, but
as the water increases in amount,
rights to its acquisition and use be-
come important. Administrative Oh
ficials in several states are concern
ed with the question of public Ver-
Sus private ownership OF return wa
ters. An investigation now nearing
completion has as its object the OBJ
tanning and presenting OF informa-
ton upon the acquisition of return
waters for irrigation purposes, their
extent, value and character OF use,
and their effect upon irrigation de-
velopment.
The problems of irrigation agri-
culture are never-ending. One is no
sooner solved than another springs
up 1t is urgent that the division OF
irrigation be m n a / II d ana
strengthened since it has, in recent
years, been unable to meet the de-
mands for service which have been
made upon it. The prosperity of the
west is SO intimately related to ir-
rigation agriculture that it is most
unWise to take any chances Of af-
fecting adversely the farmers who
are now struggling under tremen-
dous handicaps, to say nothing OF
the interests of their creditors
throughout the nation and includ-
ing the nation itself.
Agriculture is still the basis OF
modern civilization, and the adop-
ton of any policy which would
serve to retard its progress or weak
en- its security can not fail to have
its final reflection upon the pros
perity of all the people. The agri-
culture of the west is as dependent
upon Skilful and scientific irriga-
ton as upon the fertility of its soils.
Despite its secondary contribution TO
the nations total agricultural pro-
duction, the penalizing of the west
can not fail to have serious effects
upon the rest of the country. Des-
pite the difficulties of irrigation al
ready stressed, the 1929 value of IL
rigated sub-tropical fruits was al
most four-fifths of the value of the
nations entire subtropical fruit
crop; irrigated grapes contributed
two thirds OF the value of the entire
grape crop; irrigated orchard fruits,
about three-eights; irrigated nuts
five-eighths irrigated sugar crops
nearly half; irrigated grains and
seeds other than the cereals, nearly
one fifth; irrigated hay crops, one
sixth, and irrigated vegetables
nearly one-Seventh.