588 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECOKD. 



land for irrigation, and applying water to crops. The report describes the 

 different sections of the State, showing opportunities for settlers and the condi- 

 tions which incoming settlers will meet. 



Data are given showing the irrigation conditions in the Columbia Basin in 

 detail, the method of distributing water, the cost of clearing land, the capital 

 needed for a successful start in the irrigated districts of the State, what con- 

 stitutes good irrigable land, the securing of water appropriations, and subjects 

 needing investigation in their application to the local conditions. 



" Taking into consideration the present price of laud and the time required to 

 obtain results from permanent crops, the average settler should not undertake 

 to establish a home in an irrigated country with less than $2,000." 



Irrigation in New Mexico, V. L. Sullivan (U. S. Dept. Agr., Office Expt. 

 Stas. Bui. 215, pp. 1(2, pi. 1, fig- !)• — This bulletin, another of the series regard- 

 ing irrigation conditions in the arid regions of this country, discusses the pres- 

 ent status of irrigation in New Mexico and is intended to furnish general infor- 

 mation regarding the opportunities for settlement, the cost of land and water 

 and of establishing homes on these lands, and the crops grown. 



An introduction describing the natural and industrial conditions prevailing 

 in the Territory is followed by a detailed description of its water resources. It 

 is stated that New Mexico is using but a small part of the water that may be 

 made available for irrigation, a large amount flowing out of the Territory and 

 many acre-feet being lost through evaporation and seepage. The broken 

 stratification causes many streams to disappear in the underflow, and it is 

 predicted that this large underflow will be eventually pumped to the surface. 

 The storage of flood waters is considered to be the most important means of 

 furnishing irrigation water, as all the streams are more or less torrential and 

 equalizing reservoirs can be built in the numerous basins. 



The principal products of the irrigated lands include alfalfa, oats, corn, and 

 wheat, and around the cities, vegetables, melons, and fruit. xMfalfa growing 

 has been the predominant enterprise, but fruit is considered to be by far the 

 best paying crop, conditions being extremely favorable. 



A large part of the irrigation is still done by Mexicans and Indians who 

 pursue antiquated methods, but progress is no.w being made by American enter- 

 prise and a water code was passed in 1907. Regarding future development 

 the author considers that it should be along the following lines: (1) Increased 

 duty of water; (2) more intensive farming; (3) scientific study of seepage, 

 evaporation, and soil qualities; (4) development of storage, power and pump- 

 ing; (5) adjudication of water rights; and (6) official collection of data. 



Irrigation by pumping, A. Chattkrton (Madras: Govt., I'JOS, pp. .M)). — 

 This i)amph]et contains data regarding the installation and operation of oil 

 engines for pumping, together with data showing the crops irrigated (princi- 

 pally rice), the duty of water, and costs. The author considers that the intro- 

 duction of the oil engine will result in a great development of the agricultural 

 interests of the country. The cause for the slow progress made in pumping 

 is thought to be the scarcity and high cost of coal. 



Beport of the proceedings of the Western Canada Irrigation Association 

 (Rpt. Proc. Ann. Conv. West. Canada Irrig. Assoc., 2 {1908), pp. S'l). — This 

 contains a summarized report of the proceedings of the convention of the West- 

 ern Canada Irrigation Association held at Vernon, B. C. August 10-11, 1908. 

 The discussions reported dealt chiefly with the subject of water rights and 

 their present status in Western Canada, and included an account of some of 

 the difficulties encountered in administration with suggestions as to remedying 

 these by equitable and adequate laws. 



