90 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



In South Australia attempts have been made to provide for the unemployed 

 by settling them upon irrigated tracts, these colonies usually being communistic. 

 None of them has succeeded. 



Suggestions for the construction of small pumping plants for irrigation, 

 F. II. Xeweix (InUj. Age, .U (1006), Xo. !K pp. r,<l-.n.'i, fi[js. :>). — This article 

 outlines the construction of plants adapted to pump water from wells sunk in 

 gravels. The author suggests that such wells should be 12 to 15 in. in diameter 

 sjunk into water-bearing gravel 30 to GO ft., strainers »f slotted galvanized 

 iron being provided through the gravel strata. He states that "a 15-in. well 

 drilled in good water-bearing gravel to a depth of 40 ft., the lower 30 of which 

 is strainer surface, should supply at least 300 gal. per minute when the pumj) 

 lowers the level in the well by 10 ft." For large-size plants the writer recom- 

 mends arranging a battery of wells in pairs, all being connected to the suction 

 pipe. The arrangement in pairs is for the purpose of removing fine sand from 

 the gravel between the wells, by pumping from one of the pair of wells while 

 running clear water into the other. The inclosed runner type of centrifugal 

 pump. '■ long sweep" fittings, and internal combustion motors are recommended. 

 For plants of 20 to 30 horsepower tlie installation of gas-producer plants is ad- 

 vised, since at $8 per ton the cost of coal should be equivalent to gasoline at 

 4 to G cts. per gallon. NMth regard to the economical height to which water 

 may be lifted, the author considers that " it is very unlikely that it will pay to 

 ]iump water under jiresent conditions in the valleys of the western plains to a 

 total height of more than 30 ft., including the suction lift of the pump." Data 

 are also given on the cost of pumping and first cost of plants. 



Agricultural machinery in the United States (Landir. llascli. ii. Gcrdte, 

 G (1906), \o. 12, p. J).»— In speaking of the economy resulting from the use of 

 machinery in farming operations in the United States, Dr. Laughlin. of Chicago, 

 gave the following tigures before a political econouiy society in Berlin : The sow- 

 ing of grains which formerly required 10 hours and 35 minutes by hand can 

 now be accomplished in 32.7 minutes by machinery ; harvesting and thrashing 

 which required 40 hours and 40 minutes by hand can now he done in 1 hour by 

 machinery. The time required for planting of corn of G hours and 15 minutes 

 has. through aid of machinery, been reduced to 37.5 minutes; husking opera- 

 lions retjuiring formerly GO hours 40 minutes now require 3.G hours. The mow- 

 ing machine performs in 1 hour and G minutes what a man with a scythe for- 

 merly could accomplish in 7 hours and 20 minutes. Potato planters will now 

 plant as many potatoes in 1 hour and 25 minutes as formerly required 15 hours 

 to accomplish by hand. 



Test of American manure-spreading machine (Maschiiicii Ztg.. Jf (1906), 

 A'o. 12, pp. 137, 13S, fig. 1). — A discussion of the report on a public test of a 

 manure-spreading machine manufactured in the United States. It is concluded 

 from this test that while the machine does excellent work its value to the farmer 

 is reduced because of its high price and the excessive power required in its 

 operation. It is predicted, however, that it will find extensive use in Germany. 



Two tools for the culture of root crops (Ma.'ichiucn Ztg.. '/ (1906), Xo. 

 11. pp. 12S, 129, fig. 1). — One of these is a hoe of special shape provided with 

 markers ; the second is a tool for transplanting roots, consisting of an open coni- 

 cal tube, the lower end being sharpened to a cutting edge and a handle being 

 attached to the upper end. The tube is thrust into the ground around the root 

 and the whole plant is removed without disturbing the soil immediately sur- 

 rounding the root and root hairs. Owing to the conical shape of the tube it is 

 claimed that the operation of withdrawing the tube after the plant is in its new 

 position is comparatively easy. 



