OCR Text |
Show 347 Other work conducted by this Bureau includes studies of basic physical and chemical properties of soil, and studies of microscopic plant and animal life in the soil and their effect on crops, methods of cultivation, irrigation, and crop rotation. Additional authority of general importance here stems from the Research and Marketing Act of 1946.155 It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture "to conduct and to stimulate research under the laws and principles underlying the basic problems of agriculture in its broadest aspects, including but not limited to: * * * research relating to conservation, development and use of land, forest and water resources for agricultural purposes." Tennessee Valley Authority.-Exceptionally broad is TVA's authority for the collection of basic data. The President is authorized, by such means or methods as he may deem proper, to make such surveys of and general plans for the Tennessee River Basin and adjoining territory as may be useful in guid- ing and controlling the extent, sequence, and nature of devel- opment for the general purpose of fostering an orderly and proper physical, economic, and social development of the area.186 Recent Proposals.-Two bills introduced in the Eighty- first Congress merit notice here. First, the National Water- Resources Basic Data Act of 1950 would:157 establish a comprehensive and adequate basic-data pro- gram in water resources and provide for its maintenance in order that the full potential of the Nation's water resources may be developed for all beneficial uses and that there may be adequate hydrologic and geologic data for the effective control, prevention, or reduction of the harmful or destructive powers of water. Under this bill, the activities of the Weather Bureau and the Geological Survey would be greatly accelerated to complete this task within three years. 155 Act of August 14,1946, 60 Stat. 1082, as amended, 7 U. S. 0. 427 et seq. "" Act of May 18, 1933, § 22, 48 Stat. 58, 69, 16 U. S. C. 831u. UTH. R. 6257, 81st Cong., 2d sess. (1950). |