CONTENTS. 



Page. 



The AoRicrLTfRAL Sitcation in California. By Elwood Mead 17 



Introductiou 17 



Reform of water laws a State matter 20 



The scope and purpose of this investigation 20 



Duty of investigators 21 



Plan of the work 22 



Reasons for restricting discussion of water-right problems to irrigation 24 



The present and future of irrigation in California 25 



Irrigation in southern California 25 



Irrigation in northern California 26 



Diversified farming under irrigation ; 28 



California, Egypt, and Italy comparetl 29 



Obstacles to development 29 



California and Utah compared 31 



Opposition to irrigation 31 



The desire for large enterprises 32 



Controversies over district enterprises 33 



Obstacles presented by inadequate water laws 34 



Appropriations for sale, rental, or distribution 38 



Riparian rights 42 



Legislation respecting riparian rights in English colonies 49 



Canada 49 



Province of Victoria, Australia 51 



Province of New South Wales, Australia 62 



Need of adequate State control of streams 53 



The need of a sjiecial tribunal to settle existing rights 68 



Abstract of litigation over rights to Kings River 68 



Attorneys and courts not responsible 62 



The nature of rights to water 63 



Should appropriations be made perpetual or be limited, like franchises, to a number 



of years 64 



Concluding suggestions 65 



Jurisdiction of special tribunal 65 



The importance of adequate preliminary surveys and investigations 66 



The favoring conditions for these adjudications 66 



The protection of rights to water 67 



The acquirement of rights hereafter 67 



Navigation rights on Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers 68 



Term of office 69 



