48 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



it has continued to follow two distinct lines, (1) to study the laws and 

 institutions of the different States relating to the ownership and distri- 

 bution of the public water supplies, and (2) to assist the irrigators 

 under ditches already built and the managers of the canals which sup- 

 ply the farms now irrigated in the improvement of methods of dis- 

 tributing and using water in order that the land now cultivated by 

 irrigation may be rendered more valuable, the controversies over 

 water rights lessened, and its economical use promoted. 



Under the first division the investigation began by a study of the 

 laws and customs governing the ownership and use of a single stream. 

 It has been found desirable to modify this plan by taking up in turn 

 the laws governing rights to water in a single State, as in this way the 

 people of that State can better understand the merits and defects of 

 the irrigation laws now in force and the measures necessary to avert 

 the evils which have arisen under these laws or to promote develop- 

 ment by their modification. The report on irrigation in California is 

 the first of these special studies of State laws. The reports of the 

 eight experts engaged in this investigation give the most exhaustive 

 description of irrigation conditions yet published of any State. In 

 addition, it contains a general review of the agricultural situation and 

 possibilities of California, written by the expert in charge and based 

 on his personal studies. A similar investigation is now being carried 

 on in Utah. 



The studies of the operation of the Colorado laws have been con- 

 tinued under the direction of Hon. A. J. McCune, State engineer. 



The measurements of the water used in irrigation for the past sea- 

 son embraced a much wider area, a better equipment, and more satis- 

 factory^ results than those of the previous year. Stations for this pur- 

 pose have been maintained in 16 States and Territories. 



The designing of instruments for measuring and recording the water 

 used in irrigation has continued. Two new designs for water registers 

 were furnished to irrigators and canal companies last year. The latest 

 of these designs can be furnished irrigators at about one-half the cost 

 of the foreign instruments formerly used. 



This investigation has also secured the interest and cooperation of a 

 large number of irrigation engineers and managers of canal companies 

 in a series of measurements to determine the coefficient of friction in 

 canals and laterals, especially the latter, data for the accurate determi- 

 nation of the flow of small ditches being very much needed. 



The studies of the amount and character of the sediment carried by 

 streams used in irrigation and its influence, beneficial or otherwise, on 

 the land where applied has been continued. 



Six technical bulletins, one Farmers' Bulletin, a Yearbook article, 

 and a circular on irrigation have been prepared for publication dur- 

 ing the year. 



