RECLAMATION OF LOUISIANA WET PRAIRIE LANDS. 



429 



table at the proper height for profitable cultivation. The table be- 

 low gives the daily pumping record of the Willswood plantation for 

 1907 and 1908 and was compiled by Mr. Shaw from the diary of 

 the engineer in charge of the pumping plant. In the last column is 

 given the corresponding monthly rainfall for the entire period. Com- 

 paring the two years, it is seen that during 1907 it took 14.8 hours' 

 pumping for each inch of the 66.32 inches of rainfall, whereas in 1908 

 the pumps ran 12.9 hours per inch for the 51.06 inches of rainfall in 

 that year. Tliis on its face would seem to indicate that the uneven 

 distribution of the rainfall tlii'oughout the year, as well as the fact 

 that one part of the plantation may receive a very heavy precipita- 

 tion during certain storms while only a small shower may affect the 

 rest of the land, has but sUght effect on the general yearly average, 

 and that year by year the ratio of the necessary pumping to the 

 rainfall will be fairly constant. 



Daily pumping record for 1907 and 1908, Willswood plantation. 



