IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS. 39 



ing, and expensive systems have been installed for supplying water 

 to this land which makes an economical use of water of prime 

 importance. 



In eastern Washington a section of country is being settled and 

 farmed by dry-farming methods, and these new settlers are becoming 

 convinced that they must have a supplemental water supply to irri- 

 gate small areas as an insurance in seasons of extreme drought. Our 

 agent has investigated the cost of installing and operating small 

 pumping plants in this section. Mr. Jayne has assisted Mr. Byron 

 Hunter, of the Bureau of Plant Industry, iii the preparation of a cir- 

 cular entitled " Suggestions to Settlers on the Sandy Soils of the 

 Columbia River Valley." ^ 



IDAHO. 



Don H. Bark, located at Boise, is in charge of the investigations 

 in this State. The work is carried on under a cooperative arrange- 

 ment between the State experiment station, the State land board, 

 several large irrigation enterprises, and this office. About two years 

 ago a farm of 40 acres was established at Gooding, with John Krall, 

 jr., in direct charge. Excellent results have been obtained at this 

 station in determining the effect of different quantities of water on 

 alfalfa, grain, potatoes, and other field crops. 



Large areas of new land are being brought under irrigation in 

 Idaho, and a great many farmers from humid sections wholly 

 ignorant of irrigation methods have settled on these new farms. 

 Our agents have done much through the local press, farmers' insti- 

 tutes, by exhibits at county and State fairs, and by personal visits 

 to teach proper methods of preparing land and applying water. 



An extensive investigation of the duty of water has been begun, 

 embracing a variety of soil conditions and including all the standard 

 crops. The investigations are carried on under field conditions, and 

 it is believed the results will show the actual amount of water neces- 

 sary for maximum yields under varying conditions and economical 

 use. The results so far obtained have been published in the biennial 

 report of the State engineer of Idaho.^ 



NEVADA. 



Prof. Gordon H. True, of the University of Nevada, is in charge 

 of this field and is assisted by F. L. Peterson. The work is under a 

 cooperative arrangement between the State experiment station and 

 this office and consists chiefly of experiments to determine the evap- 

 oration from irrigated soils and investigations of duty of water on 

 grain and alfalfa. 



1 U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Cir. 60. 



2 Eighth Bien. Rpt. State Engin. Idaho, 8 (1909-10), p. 220. 



