152 THE IRRIGA TION A GE. 



As the successful solution of the problem of conservation of flood 

 waters means the reclamation of millions of acres of public land, the 

 people naturally ask the government to promote measures having this 

 end in view. To this demand the government responds. Lands con- 

 taining excellent reservoir sites have been set aside and a thorough 

 study of the sources and permanence of the water supply of arid 

 regions has been made to enable congress to legislate with intelligence 

 upon this important subject. 



In aid of this work the twelfth census will endeavor comprehen- 

 sively to show the present condition and values of agriculture in the 

 arid and sub-humid regions; the length, irrigable extent and cost of 

 the various canals, wells, and ditches; the character, volume and con- 

 stancy of water supply; systems employed in distribution; amount paid 

 for water and the crops, acreage, and yield of irrigated farms. 



This effort will be successful if those interested in irrigation shall 

 heartily co-operate with the census office and its agents 



Within a brief period the main schedules for taking the census of 

 irrigation will be distributed, and Director Merriam requests that all 

 recipients prepare properly to fill them out and to return them 

 promptly. 



