OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 707 



which it has not been possible to have agents heretofore. The in- 

 vestigations in the rice regions and the power and pumping investi- 

 gations will both be materially increased and publications will be 

 prepared on these subjects. 



The investigations for determining the evaporation losses from 

 irrigated soils and the best methods of checking these will be con- 

 tinued, as will also the field experiments, to ascertain the proper time 

 to irrigate, the most economical amounts of water to use, and the 

 best methods of supplying water to different crops in different lo- 

 calities. The several demonstration farms will also be maintained. 



It is intended to publish additional bulletins of the series dealing 

 with irrigation in the several States and Territories, and also of the 

 practical series dealing with the irrigation of standard crops. 



The investigations in the humid regions will be extended. The 

 present experiments will be continued and enlarged and new investi- 

 gations will be carried on in other sections of the East. The en- 

 gineering force in this field will be increased in order to better meet 

 the demands made upon it, and bulletins and circulars will be pub- 

 lished giving practical information concerning the methods adapted 

 to humid conditions and the possibilities and advantages of irriga- 

 tion in the East and Middle West. 



It is also planned to make use of the data collected under the co- 

 operative agreement with the Bureau of the Census in preparing 

 bulletins upon the organization of irrigation enterprises, the op- 

 eration, maintenance, and management of canals, and other economic 

 phases of irrigation. 



WORK IN 1913. 



The investigations and experiments which are being carried on at 

 the present time, or will be begun in the fiscal year 1912, should not 

 only be continued, but should be extended in 1913. An agent should 

 be established in each western State, together with one or more assist- 

 ants in the more important ones. The field force in both the humid 

 and rice-growing sections should also be increased. The demand for 

 practical information, both by old and new settlers, is certain to con- 

 tinue and should continue to be supplied through the medium of bul- 

 letins, lectures, demonstration farms, and the personal advice of 

 agents. The greatest needs, however, will probably be for experi- 

 ments and investigations for the purpose of securing a wiser and 

 more economical use of water by preventing unnecessary wastes; of 

 demonstrating the effects upon the yield and quality of crops of irri- 

 gation to different depths and at different times; and of securing bet- 

 ter organization of irrigation enterprises, better management of 

 canals, and better administration of improved irrigation codes. 



DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS. 



Mr. C. G. Elliott continues to have charge of drainage investiga- 

 tions of this office. 



During the past year the unfinished projects of the year previous 

 have been completed and many new projects and investigations taken 

 up. A summary of the work done embraces surveys, working plans 

 and profiles, and reports made for various drainage districts, which 

 may be classed as follows : 



