BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS. 479 



tions, and this condition exists at the Coast Experiment Station dur- 

 ing periods of heavy precipitation. To obtain suitable outlets it will 

 be necessary to organize community projects, such as are provided 

 for in the various State drainage laws. The work also demonstrated 

 that in the South, at least, the soil-warming effect of tile is not 

 important. 



An interesting investigation during the year was that relating 

 to the drainage properties of the "buckshot" soils of the Yazoo 

 Delta, Mississippi. It has been maintained by many in that section 

 that tile is ineffective in such soils. A representative of the bureau, 

 detailed to inquire into the situation, found that in all cases the 

 ineffective drains were improperly placed and that in fact large 

 numbers of drains in that soil, where properly designed and con- 

 structed, give entire satisfaction. 



With the cooperation of a prominent sugar-cane planter in 

 Louisiana an investigation of the value of irrigation of cane was 

 undertaken. The abnormally wet season rendered the experiment 

 inconclusive, but it was clearly demonstrated that the problem in- 

 volves drainage as well as irrigation, the object being to maintain 

 through both these agencies just the right soil-moisture content. 

 One problem involved is to develop methods of irrigation and of 

 drainage that do not interfere with each othei- or with the cultiva- 

 tion of the cane crop. This investigation will be continued. 



Drainage projects in which utilization of the land depends upon 

 immigration from other regions have been too generally unsuccessful 

 in accomplishing agricultural development and often have been at- 

 tended with losses to investors who have financed the enterprises and 

 10 settlers who have attempted to make homes upon the land. It is 

 evident that the causes of failure include unexpectedly large costs 

 for reclamation, poorly selected settlers, lack of capital on the part 

 of promoters and of settlers, sometimes low intrinsic value of the 

 land itself, and in not a few cases greedy and unscrupulous dealing 

 by the promoters. A study of the problems of land reclamation and 

 settlement has been undertaken in cooperation with the Bureau of 

 Agricultural Economics. Thus far a reconnaissance survey has been 

 made of land reclamation and land settlement in the Southern 

 States from the Potomac River to and including eastern Texas. 

 This will show roughly the area and distribution of such enterprises 

 in that region, the character of the land in the projects, the nature 

 and cost of reclamation work generally necessary, the price of the 

 land and the terms upon which it has been offered for sale, the kind 

 of settlers or purchasers secured, the kind of agriculture practiced, 

 and the success of the settlers in paying for their farms and in bring- 

 ing the land into cultivation. Upon the results of this reconnais- 

 sance the bureaus will base a plan for thorough investigation of the 

 engineering problems of land reclamation and settlement. 



An investigation as to where and to what extent progress has 

 been made in drainage during the years 1920 to 1922, inclusive, was 

 begun. To -secure the information an inquiry was addressed to an 

 appropriate official in each county in all the Southern, "Western, and 

 Central States. The information will include approximately the 

 number of drainage districts or other public land drainage projects, 

 the area embraced in or assessed for each, and the cost of thp. im- 

 provements undertaken. 



