46 KKPOKT ^>V OKFICE OF KXTPJIUMENT STATIONS. 



the governors and attoi'iiov-jjciKM-jils of KiuisaH, Nohrasku, NVyomiiij^, 

 suul C\)l()ra(l(), and tlic State ciij^iiu'ers of Nebraska, Wyoming-, and 

 Colorado, it was contduded to take uj) a study of tlie Icjjal and social 

 j)rol)l(Mns created by tiie diversion and use of the Platte River in 

 irrij^ation, the })lan bein*,'' to j^ather the facts showing th(» number of 

 ditches, areas irrigated, character of the rights aciiuired undei- the laws 

 of ai)i)roi)riation, influence upon the flow of tiie stream of the diversion 

 of water l)y canals and its return in seepage through sti-eams and springs, 

 and the influence of this interference with the natural flow on the rights 

 of farmers and mill owners owning riparian lands in the portions of 

 the stream's course where the riparian doctrine is recognized. The 

 inauguration of this investigation was warmly welcomed by both State 

 oflicials and farmers concerned. The collection of data has been a 

 laborious imdertaking, and it is probal)le that another season will ])e 

 required for its comi)letion. It is ])elieA'ed that this report will tiirow 

 nuich light upon many of the important practical (piestions which nuist 

 be considered b}- the United States circuit and Supreme courts in the 

 litigation now pending before those tri))unals. 



A more extended account of the progress of the irrigation investiga- 

 tions during the past 3^ear may be found in the report of the officer in 

 charge on page 469. 



RURAL ENGINEERING. 



The opportunities for this Department to do useful and eflfective 

 work in studies of other ))ranches of rural engineering are every year 

 becoming more numerous and important. These include the laying 

 out of farms so as to permit of the establishment of systems of rota- 

 tion, and tlie economical cultivation and harvesting of crops; the 

 construction and grouping of farm houses and farm buildings so as to 

 secure efficiency and economy and contribute to the liealthfulness and 

 attractiveness of rural life. In the movement of settlement to the 

 West and the continued extension of civilized life to regions before 

 unoccupied these matters have been largely neglected, and there is no 

 dou))t that, in these particulars, the convenience and attractiveness of 

 farm homes in this country are inferior to those in most European 

 countries. It is equally certain that the betterment of these conditions 

 will have much to do with checking the movement from the farms to 

 the cities. 



In the construction of farm buildings, both barns and houses, the 

 farmer is now almost entirely dependent on his own knowledge and 

 ingenuity', and as a result the majority of farm Ijuildings are unsatis- 

 factory, whether considered from the standpoint of appearance, dura- 

 bility, or adaptation to the needs of their occupants. Some problems 

 in connection wnth farm buildings need careful study in order to 

 imDrove their healthfulness and convenience. One of these is ventila- 



