AZ vs. CA:03 California Exhibits, Vol III; Nos. 114-150

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oi the Agricultural Department, made an inspection of the valley. The question of the United States acquiring the canal system by purchase, to be completed under the reclamation act, was later considered by the officers of the Reclamation Service. This purchase was strongly urged by many of the water users and settlers of the valley. The offer to sell the property was not considered, because the Attorney-General held that the international features of the project were prohibitory under the law. and the price asked was also considered excessive. Lands Irrigated in the Imperial Valley. In April, 1904, an examination was made to determine the amount of lands irrigated in the valley. The gross area under irrigation at that time was 66,741 acres. A second examination was made in September of the same year by W. V. Hardy, of the Reclamation Service, and showed the total area irrigated at that time to be 30,017 acres. A second examination by Mr. Hardy in March and April, 1905, gave a total irrigated area of 79,591 acres. Duty of Water Investigations. Investigations for the determination of the duty of water for different crops were begun during the latter part of 1904. These investigations are being made on both the clays and the softer soils of the valley, two stations being maintained. The water measurements are made by means of rating flumes, upon which weekly gagings are made, and a continuous record of gage readings taken. The results of these investigations will not be complete until a full year's record is obtained.