RURAL ECONOMICS. 89 



The work in the Modesto and Tnrlock districts, discussed lu the report, was 

 done principally by the district organizations, with the advice of this OflSce, and 

 consisted in the digging of open ditches to take away surplus water and hold 

 the level of the ground water below the danger limit. The method of digging 

 these ditches and cost data are given. 



Drainage of irrigated lands, C. F. Brown ( U. 8. Dcpt. Agr., Farmers^ Bui. 

 371. pp. 52, figs. 19). — This supplements Farmers' Bulletin 187, previously 

 noted (E. S. K., 15, p. 934) on the drainage of farm lands, and reports studies 

 carried on in Utah with a variety of soils and conditions on the drainage of 

 irrigated lauds which had been seriously injured or rendered wholly unpro- 

 ductive by the seepage of irrigation water or by the rise of alkali, or by both 

 combined. The work was conducted under the supei vision of the Drainage 

 Investigations of this Office in cooperation with the Utah Station, and a por- 

 tion has been previously noted in Bulletin 99 of the Utah Station (E. S. R., 

 18, p. 1166). 



Details are given as to the plans, construction, cost, and results of the drain- 

 age of the various irrigated tracts, together with a brief description of methods 

 employed in other States and a discussion of the principles and practice under- 

 lying the drainage of these lands. 



It is stated that not less than 150,000 acres of irrigated land in Utah have 

 been ruined or seriously injured by seepage or alkali, and will require drainage 

 in oi'der to restore them to a productive state, while in all the other irrigated 

 States from 10 to 20 per cent of the land which has been under irrigation for 

 10 years or more requires drainage. The experiments reported indicate that 

 drainage of these lands is profitable. The cost varied with the conditions, but 

 in most cases was about $15 per acre. 



" Success is dependent upon correct plans and proper construction of drains. 

 Careful and systematic surveys aud subsoil examinations should never be 

 omitted. The form of drain or section of ditch should be chosen with reference 

 to its efficiency in the particular soil formation and water conditions. 



"The subsequent care and treatment of drains and lands will also determine 

 the ultimate success. . . . Drainage systems in arid countries, where irrigation 

 is practiced, require watching and treatment after they are laid. The care is 

 necessary in relation to surface waters, and the treatment of lands necessary 

 when they are affected with alkali." 



Pumping plants for irrigators, G. E. P. Smith (Arizona Sta. Bid. 60, pp. 

 399--'ill. fld^- •?^- — This discusses the sinking and curbing of wells, pumps, 

 strainers, and power iihints. 



RURAL ECONOMICS. 



Replanning a farm for profit, C. I>. Smith and J. W. Froley ( V. H. Dept. 

 Agr., Farmers' Bui. 370, pp. 36). — This bulletin suggests six different farming 

 systems for a run-down 80-acre farm in central Illinois, with the estimated 

 expenditures and returns of each type. 



The total income of the whole farm in 1908, estimating crops at average 

 jirices, was less than $450 per year, whereas the estimated gross incomes from 

 the different types of farming proposed, after deducting the cost of fei-tilizers 

 or feeding stuffs, range from $862 to $2,334 per year. The results of the 

 inquiry are summarized as follows : 



" Habit frequently continues a type of farming in a community long after 

 that type has become unprofitable. 



"Changes in the farm system are often deferred (1) because of lack of 

 knowledge of how to replan the farm, (2) because of lack of funds in carrying 

 out new plans. (3) because new fences, buildings, or equipment are called 

 18.556—10 7 



