KEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 225 



watched closely, and it is believed that they have caused a much better 

 understanding among irrigators of the best methods of applying 

 water, the dangers of waste, and the actual requirements of irrigated 

 crops. As an instance of the reform that has been accomplished in 

 this line, the changes that have been brought about in the use of 

 water in the Modesto irrigation district in California may be cited. 

 In 1904 diversions by the Modesto Canal amounted to more than 13 

 acre-feet per acre for the land irrigated. In 1912 slightly more than 

 4 acre-feet per aci'e were used. 



As the work of the investigations became better known frequent 

 requests were made b}^ prospective settlers in irrigated sections for 

 information concerning the possibilities of irrigation in various 

 Western States. To meet this demand a series of bulletins was pub- 

 lished providing in concise form such information concerning condi- 

 tions in each State as was believed to be of value to prospective set- 

 tlers on irrigated lands. To meet a similar demand which came 

 largely from farmers already irrigating, other bulletins were pre- 

 pared giving advice as to the best methods and practices employed in 

 the irrigation of crops most widely grown in the West. 



Contrasting the small beginnings of irrigation investigations of 

 this department 14 years ago with the present, one finds that the 

 congressional appropriation has increased tenfold and that the work 

 actually undertaken has increased in even greater ratio. The six and 

 one-third million acres which were irrigated under private enter- 

 prises in 1896 have increased to 15,000,000 acres, and instead of being 

 confined to the more arid portions of the country it is rapidly extend- 

 ing to'practicallj^ every State of the Union regardless of the annual 

 precipitation. In Louisiana, Mississippi, and southern Arkansas the 

 rainfall frequently exceeds 50 inches per annum, yet a most remark- 

 able development has taken place in this district in the past 16 years 

 as the direct result of irrigation. In 1911 over 700,000 acres were 

 seeded to rice, all of which were irrigated. This extensive acreage 

 produced in that year over 22,500,000 bushels of rice, for which the 

 growers received over $18,000,000. Ten years ago prairie lands in 

 Arkansas were held and occasionally sold at $5 to $6 per acre. Xow 

 the pumping of water from wells and the profitable production of 

 rice under irrigation has increased the price to from $50 to $90 per 

 acre. 



From the irrigated rice fields of the Gulf States the practice of irri- 

 gation has extended eastward throughout the humid region. The 

 department is now carr3'ing on successful cooperative experiments in 

 the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Maryland, 

 Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. AAHiile the data thus far secured 

 are incomplete they are sufficient to indicate that eventually all high- 



70481°— AGR 1912 15 ', 



