RURAL ENGINEERING. 289 



alfalfa, and native bay. tho smaller fruits and vegetables being tbe best irri- 

 gated crops. In the section of the Stale west of tbe Missouri River, and espe- 

 cially in tbat part adjacent to tbe Black Hills, irrigation is required to produce 

 good crops, wbile tbe otber balf of tbe State bas sutbcient rainfall. 



Tbat part of tbe report dealing directly witb irrigation embodies information 

 as to tbe crops grown, tbe development of irrigation, a detailed description of 

 tbe various enterprises, present and prospective irrigated areas, cost of land 

 and water, and a discussion of laws governing the control and use of water, 

 in wbicli tbe autbor explains tbe State law in detail witb an account of its 

 ojieratiou and tbe functions of tbe State engineer. In conclusion recommenda- 

 tions as to tbe prevention of waste and tbe storage of flood waters are given, 

 together witb suggestions as to needed legislation. 



Irrig-ation in Kansas, D. H. Bark (U. S. Dcpt. Agr., Office Expt. Stas. Bui. 

 211, pp. 28, maps 2). — Tbis is another of tbe series of bulletins being issued l)y 

 this Office to supply information as to conditions and opi)ortunities for settle- 

 ment in irrigated sections, and follows tbe same general plan. 



The introduction deals briefly with tbe geography, climate, and topography, 

 and tbe following sub.iects are discussed in order : Water resources, lands, 

 products of irrigated lands, history of irrigation development, irrigation enter- 

 prises, laws governing the control and use of water, settlement of irrigated 

 lands, and tbe future development of Irrigation farming in Kansas. 



Kansas is considered as a w^bole to be a well-watered State, but the need for 

 irrigation is imperative in tbe western part, where tbe rainfall alone is not 

 sufficient to grow ordinary crops. Tbe enormous supply of underflow water 

 is deemed to be a considerable factor in tbe water resources of tbe State, and 

 to be destined to play an important part in tbe future development of western 

 Kansas, particularly in tbe upper Arkansas Valley. This supply bas not 

 ■visibly be^n affected by individual pumi)s, and it is believed tbat but slight 

 difficulty will be exi)erienced in tbe future. Tlie artesian flow also contributes 

 to the amount of water available for irrigation. 



Kansas bas but little land tbat can still be bomesteaded, and tbis is not 

 irrigable. Tbe irrigated land is confined to the western one-third of tbe State 

 and but a small percentage of the land cultivated is under irrigation. Alfalfa 

 is the principal irrigated crop, while sugar beets are successfully raised under 

 irrigation. 



A description of irrigation enterprises is given in detail describing the vari- 

 ous ditches, their size, capacity, and area of land irrigated. Tbis discussion 

 includes tbe private pumping plants in the Arkansas Valley, with some results 

 of tests made on tliem. A large number of tests under ordinary conditions at 

 Garden City showed the cost of irrigating an acre to vary from 30 cts. to $1.50 

 with gasoline at 11.5 to 15 cts. a gallon. \\\ih. a total lift of 15 to 30 ft. AVind- 

 mills are used extensively in tbe shallow water districts, and some data on 

 these is included. 



The future development of irrigation in Kansas calls for tbe construction of 

 large reservoirs to bold tbe entire flow of rivers, the installation of pinnping 

 plants and windmills in shallow water areas, new modes of irrigating, and 

 a better understanding of the economical use of water, as well as winter 

 irrigation. 



Triennial revenue report of the public works department, irrigation 

 branch, Bengal, for the three years ending 1907—1908 {Trlcn. Rev. Rpt. I'lib. 

 Works Dept.. I nig. Branch. Bengal, 1907-8, pp. 88, dgms. 7, maps 6"). — Tbis 

 contains statistics relating to the cost, operating expenses and revenues of 

 canals in Bengal. There are also given data relative to tbe extent of irrigated 



