414 HF.PORT OF OFFICE OF F.XPF.RIMENT STATIONS. 



Twenty thousand dollars was a|)|)ro|)riat('d to cover the e.\|)ens<'s 

 incurred. 



Rajjid (hn'elopnient along irripition lines has taken place in Texas 

 during the last few years, and the State has no adequate system of 

 laws for controlling or supervisnig this develoj)nient. To meet this 

 condition tiie legislature in 1909 authorized the commissioner of 

 agriculture to investigate and report upon the present system of irri- 

 gation within the State, including — 



The cost, of iiiaintt'iuuu't' and operation of the same, the character and kind of irrifra- 

 tion plants which result in the greater saving to the users of water, the class and charac- 

 ter of water contracts entered into by the various canal companies; he shall also inquire 

 into the reasonableness and fairness of rates being charged for water by the various 

 canal companies in the State, and from time to time shall make ])ul)lic the result of 

 the inquiries; he shall collect and publish statistics and other information regarding the 

 irrigation of rice and other crops as may be of benefit in developing and collecting a 

 more eflScient system of laws, safeguarding and defining the rights of users and selleis 

 of water for irrigation purposes; and he shall make up and file an annual report on the 

 Bame with such recommendations as he may deem beneficial to the industry, which 

 report shall be filed with the governor and transmitted to the legislature, and he is to 

 employ an engineer and expert. 



Taken as a whole, the legislation in the years since 1905 has marked 

 quite an advance in the adequate public control of the diversion of 

 water from public streams. New Mexico and Oregon iiave adopted 

 codes in general similar to those of the other States. Montana has 

 pro\'ided for maintaining complete lists of rights on streams already 

 adjudicated, while most of the vStates have amended their laws to 

 strengthen the weak places which have developed. 



The amendments to irrigation district laws have been in the direc- 

 tion of equity in allowing a voice to nonresident property owners, 

 which must prove of advantage in lessening attacks upon the validity 

 of the organization of districts. 



That there is a considerable interest in the adoption of adequate 

 laws in the States which have not such laws at present is evidenced 

 by the provision for investigations in Texas, by the appointment of a 

 commission to draft laws by the governor of the State of AVashington, 

 and the agitation for similar action in some of the other States. 



