294 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



ture was illustrated with maps showing 

 the geological formations. Besides sur- 

 face examinations, the geologists availed 

 themselves of the splendid opportunity of- 

 fered of examining the geological forma- 

 tions to the depth of hundreds of feet be- 

 low the surface in the numerous mines in 

 Butte. The geological surveys in Butte 

 have contributed information of very great 

 value in mining operations. He pointed 

 out the position of several extinct volca- 

 noes and the boundaries of a former lake 

 extending from Butte to Dillon. After the 

 lecture he answered numerous questions 

 upon the geology of Butte. 



The field work of the geological survey 

 in the Bntte district was completed last 

 July and the results will soon be pub- 

 lished in two forms a folio uniform with 

 those previously issued, which will contain 

 topographical and geological maps, with a 

 brief statement of the geology and mining- 

 industry, and which is now ready for issue ; 

 and a monograph by the director of the 

 survey, containing elaborate maps, which 

 ,will enlarge upon the ore deposits of Butte 

 -and vicinity, which will be ready for dis- 

 tribution in about a year. 



A vote of thanks Avas tendered Mr. 

 Weed for his address. 



At a previous meeting the society had 

 referred the question presented recently 

 by the state engineer of Wyoming, who 

 sought to interest the Montana engineers 

 in a plan for securing the arid lands now 

 controlled by the government to the states 

 in which they are located, to a committee 

 composed of Frank L. Sizer. Paul S. A. 

 Bickel and A. E. Gumming, whose report 

 was heard last night. The report of the 

 -committee addressed to the president fol- 

 lows : 



"Dear Sir: The undersigned, your com- 

 mittee appointed to consider the question 

 of taking action and co-operating with oth- 

 er western states interested in securing a 

 grant of arid lands, beg to report that they 

 have considered the memorial of the Wy- 

 oming state board of control and also a let- 

 ter of Mr. El wood Mead, state engineer, 



which was submitted to us; and we are of 

 the opinion that it would be desirable for 

 Montana to take such action as Mr. Mead 

 suggests. If our state had a state engi- 

 neer, it would be l}is province to consider 

 such a matter as this, and co-operate with 

 other states interested in the movement. 

 Since this is not the case, we think it 

 would be advisable for our society to make 

 an offer of such co-opeiation and help as 

 may be within its power. We are certain- 

 ly of the opinion that, in the hands of such 

 a distinguished engineer and able friend of 

 irrigation matters as we know Mr. Mead to 

 be, there can be no doubt but what tli2 

 action proposed should be productive of 

 some good. The question of detail, as to 

 hovr this matter is to be carried out, we do 

 not feel able to pass upon at this time,but 

 the idea meets with our approval. If this 

 additional grant of 5,000,000 acres of arid 

 land can be secured for Montana, it will 

 be a new step in the direction of more 

 thorough development of oiir agricultural 

 resources and protection of the interests of 

 stockmen, and we are inclined to endorse 

 and assist this measure in any way within 

 our power." 



The society accepted the report, but took 

 no further action as it is understood Mr. 

 Mead may visit Montana this year, in which 

 event the_ question will be considered while 

 he is present. It is undoubtedly the opin- 

 ion of the society that some steps should be 

 taken to secure to the state its arid lands 

 and it will aid any practicable plan with 

 that object in view. 



Frederic Wooster Sherman, manager of 

 the Gold Mountain Mining company, of 

 Bernice, was elected a member of the so- 

 ciety. 



The next regular meeting of the society 

 will be held in its rooms in the Merchants 

 National Bank Building, Helena, Montana 

 on July 9, 1898, at 8 p. m. Programme 

 for the meeting will be announced at a la- 

 ter date. 



A. S. HOVEY, Secretary. 



