The state geologist shall make to the governor an annual administrative report of the operation of the geological survey; and he shall, from time to time, prepare or cause to be prepared such scientific reports as are pertinent to the work of the geological survey. The state purchasing commissioner may, upon the recommendation of the board of conservation and development, order printed any or all of such scientific reports. The cost of printing such reports shall be paid from the appropriation for printing public documents.
Should the general demand for the publication of the annual or other reports of the geological survey make it advisable, the state purchasing commissioner may, on recommendation of the board, furnish the same at the cost of paper, printing and distribution, or may authorize the sale thereof by duly appointed agents, on like terms. All moneys received from sales authorized by this section shall be paid into the state treasury.