LETTER OF TRAXSMIHAL 



U. S Department of Agriculture, 



Office of Experiment Stations, 



Washington^ D. C, June 15, 1901. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, and to recommend for publication, a 

 report on irrigation investigations conducted in California during 1900 by the Office 

 of Experiment Stations in cooperation with the California Water and Forest Asso- 

 ciation, under the supervision of Prof. Elwood Mead, expert in charge of irrigation 

 investigations in this Office. The investigations consisted of observations b}' irriga- 

 tion experts on the existing legal, engineering, and agricultural conditions along nine 

 tj'pical streams used for irrigation in bhe State. The growing value and increasing 

 scarcity of water are creating an imperative need for better laws to control the dis- 

 tribution of streams in California, and there is much public interest in this subject in 

 the State. The general conclusions agreed to by all of the agents and experts taking 

 part in the investigations, with the views set forth in their separate reports, will, it 

 is believed, indicate the nature of the reforms required to put agriculture under 

 irrigation in California on a more enduring and satisfactoiy basis, and thus to promote 

 the more rapid and successful development of the State's resources. 

 Respectfully, 



A. C. True, Director. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



