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Show REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONEB OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 21 this it will be necessary 'to determine what fuels are best adapted to the plant equipment of each school, and also to educate the coal deal-ers themselves as to the quality of the coal which they have to offer. The technologic branch of the United States Geological Survey has had large experience in the testing of coal for its heat values, and has extended hearty cooperation to the Indian Office in the prelimi-nary changes incident to the new system. The Bureau of Mines, which has taken over the work of the technologic branch, will make all necessary analyses and tests required for thoroughly determining the practicability of the plan. IRRIGATION There are millions of acres of irrigable lands in Indian reserw-tions. Thus far, about 160,000 acres have been irrigated; of this number 118,640 acres have been irrigated by Indians and 42,080 by white lessees and purchasers. The act of June 25, 1910, has bearings of great consequence upon the irrigation of Indian lands. This act safeguards the water inter-ests of Indians on unallotted lands that are opened before an irriga-tion project can be constructed, and it also makes reservoir and water-power sites on lands already allotted fully available for irrigation purposes. The act provides that if any irrigation project prior to the open-ing of any Indian reservation containing power for reservoir sites, be authorized, the Secretary of the Interior may, in his discretion, I reserve such sites pending further legislation by Congress for their disposition. The act also provides for the cancellation of Indian allotments valuable for reservoir or water-power sites, the Indian allottee, of course, being protected by the requirement that he shall receive a proper payment for his improvements and lieu allotment of land of equal value within the irrigated area created by the reservoir. The total appropriations for irrigation purposes for the past year amounted to $876,730, of which $325,000 was by act of March 3,1909, made immediately available. Work on the various reservations has been carried on as fast as funds available and the legal difficulties would permit, as is shown in the following summary of the work: ARIZONA. Gila ~ i u Rbes ervation.-The hydro-electric pumping stations are . in the course of construction. The initial plant is now in successful operation and giving most satisfactory results. Other stations will be completed in the near future. This work is being constructed by 58554'-IN? IQlO--VOL U |