IRRIGATION

Evening Star, Issue 19019, 14 August 1925, Page 5

IRRIGATION

HR TEHHENT'S TRIP TO AMERICA 1 THE LATEST SCHEMES A ‘Star* representative Interviewed] Mr R. B. Tennant, of the Agricultural ; Department, to-day, to ask for a brief account of his itinerary of travel whilst' recently visiting America on bcbalf of the Government. Mr Tonnent explained that the chief object of his trip was to make a dose study of irrigation practices In the Western States of the Pacific Slope. Jn order to facilitate bis mission and to enable a thorough investigation to bo made, lie did practically all his travelling by private motor car, travelling in all a total distance of over eleven tn<ruga ml miles in four months, Starting from San Francisco, lie travelled down the coast of California to San Diego, and from there into the famous Imperial Valley, which lies half in. California and half in Mexico. A detailed inspection of this large schema was made, and a long journey from Mexico to Canada was commenced by way of the San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento Valley, through the States of Oregon and Washington, and into British Columbia. The States of Idaho and Utah were .also included in Mr Tennent’s itin-* entry, and every irrigation scheme of any importance was closely inspected. In addition, Mr Tennent spent a considerable amount of time at the principal agricultural colleges of each State, and a thorough study was made of the principles and practices of irrigation as taught in those institutions, Mr Tennent was deeply impressed with the excellent research work that is being carried on in those colleges, and ho obtained much valuable knowledge in regard to the duty of water and other important problems relating to. irrigation practice. j His whole trip can bo looked upon aar_ most satisfactory, and the courtesy: shown to him was far beyond cxpecta-j tions. It was evidently in his favoW that ho is a Now Zealander, making his reception most friendly. The Americans seem to have a soft spot fori New Zealand- _ j No stone was left unturned to bring hack the best and latest information ia regard to irrigation practice that may bo applicable to our conditions in Central Otago, and without a doubt, Mr Tennent added, much of the information gleaned in the Western Stales will, be aoplicahle, . i “The trip was certainly worthwhile,” concluded Mr Tennent. “ It' has been most valuable to me, and beyond any question the experience I gained there, superimposed upon my previous experience in the same country, should result in attaining the cmL; for which I went.”