REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. LXVII 



interests, it is also beginning to be seen quite elearh" that the questions 

 involved in this and kindred investigations have a direct bearing on 

 the problems which are of national and even international importance. 

 On the supply of water for irrigation and its equitable distribution, 

 depends the permanent existence of civilized life in one-third the area 

 covered bj' the forty-eight States and Territories of the Union. 

 Questions relating to irrigation are vital not only to agricultural, but 

 also to all other interests of this vast region, and the ultimate solution 

 of the problems relating to irrigation will be found not only in State 

 legislation and administration, but also in the action of the National 

 Government. Most of the streams used for irrigation cross State 

 lines, and some of them run partlv in foreign countries. 



The nation still owns large areas, the development of which will 

 necessarily depend on national land laws recognizing the importance 

 of extending the irrigated region as far as possible. Sooner or later 

 these questions must be taken up by the United States gfs well as by 

 the individual States and settled on a just basis and in accordance with 

 actual conditions. What is needed in this matter at the present time 

 above everything else is the impartial ascertaining and recording of the 

 facts relating to irrigation in this country. It is this task which this 

 Department has set for itself. It is believed that an efficient organiza- 

 tion for the prosecution of this work has been established and that in 

 this way a basis has been laid for the prosecution and extension of the 

 work as rapidly as the necessary conditions of the investigations and 

 the available funds will permit. 



In view of the urgent need for the extension of these investigations, 

 I recommend that the appropriation for the ensuing fiscal year be 

 increased from $50,000 to $75,000. 



SECTION OF FOREIGN MARKETS. 

 THE PURPOSE OF THE SECTION. 



The work of this Section is directed especiallj^ to carrying out the 

 provision in the appropriation act which enjoins on the Secretary of 

 Agriculture to study " the feasibility of extending the demands of 

 foreign markets for the agricultural products of the United States." 

 In the fulfillment of this purpose every effort is made to keep the Sec- 

 tion adequately equipped and to maintain its work at the highest stand- 

 ard of efficiency. The question of supply and demand in foreign mar- 

 kets particularly is-earnestly studied, and the publications of the Section 

 are directed especially to affording information on this important sub- 

 ject. The records of this Section show an extraordinary development 

 of the foreign demand for our agricultural products, which, in view of 

 its important effect upon prices at home, is most gratifying. 



