42 RKTOKT OK OFFICE (>K KXl'F.ltlMKNT STATIONS. 



nuul«' possible by ('li!in«JCOs in tho :ii)|)!ir:iltis inudc uikIim' :i Liraiil from 

 the C'liriiciric Institution. 



Consick'nibli' luklitioniil dutii r(>i>fiirdin<( the niilritixc \ uhir <>i' I'liiits 

 and nuts havo been obtain(Ml, and a report on this siil)i('ct has been pub- 

 lislied. Additional data on the dii^ostiltilitv and nutritive value of 

 bread have also been pul)lished, and, as the result of the investij^ation.s 

 of this Oflice on this subject, it has l)een eleai'ly shown that ordinary 

 wheat flours arc thorou<;hly di<,'"ested and have a hi<^h nutritive value. 



Six bulletins riH-ordiii"- the results of nutrition in\esti<rations were 

 published durin^«" the past year. 



IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS. 



The investigations carried on during the past year by this ])ranch 

 of the Office of Experiment Stations, as provided foi- by Congress, 

 may be grouped under the following heads: 



(1) The determination of the amount of water needed in irrigation 

 and the methods of applying it to crops to secure the best results. 



(2) The improvement of methods of distribution in order to lessen 

 the cost of water to farmers, and reduce the waste from evaporation 

 and the loss and damage caused by excessive seepage. 



(3) Investigations of drainage problems {(() to prevent the injury of 

 irrigated land through the accumulation of surplus and seepage 

 waters, and (h) to reclaim swamp and overflowed lands b}" aiding 

 farmers in the settlement of general drainage pro])lems. 



(•i) Investigations of the best means of applying power in pumping 

 and other l)ranches of farm work. 



(5) Studies of irrigation institutions, including the laws and customs 

 under w'hich rights to water are acquired and enforced, and the 

 corporate and cooperative institutions which aflect the economic 

 relations of water users. 



The irrigation investigations have been conducted largely in cooper- 

 ation with agricultural colleges and experiment stations. State engi- 

 neers' offices, and organizations of citizens, and during the past 3'ear 

 have been conducted in the following States: 



California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, 

 Wyoming, Colorado, Nebi-aska, Kansas, South Dakota, Missouri, 

 Wisconsin, New eJcrsey, Louisiana, Texas, and South Carolina. 



THE DUTY OF WATER. 



Along many streams in the West the irrigated area has been 

 extended until there is not water enough to supply the lands already 

 under cultivation except through the adoption of most skillful and 

 economical methods of distribution and use in irrigation. This means 

 that the losses in canals due to seepage and evaporation must be les- 

 sened, that lateral ditches must be planned and })uilt with more care 



