782 



EXPEETMENT STATION EECOED. 



The artesian -wells of Australia, P. Peivat-Deschanel {G^nle Civil, 4^ 

 {1906). No. 20. pp. 309-311, figs. J). — A study of the peculiar conditions which 

 in Australia have favored the extensive iise of artesian wells. Sections are 

 trlven showing the geological formation, which is a typical half basin, with 

 the infiltration zone on the west slope of the dividing range on the east coast, 

 and with a continuous flow toward the Gulf of Carpentaria. At the present 

 time Queensland possesses 9G0 wells, public and private, of which 628 are 

 flowing. Their total depth is 357 km., and total daily flow is 1,750,192 cubic 

 meters. In New South Wales the total daily discharge is 631,744 cubic meters. 

 With those of Queensland, they furnish the enormous total of 2,831,933 cubic 

 meters per day. 



The legislation on the subject is unique. The government upon petition 

 and after investigation of the practicability of the scheme VA^ill drill wells 

 in any locality, the expenses being met by special tax upon the proprietors 

 benefited. The tools, superintendence, and transportation of supplies are fur- 

 nished by the government. Although the latter exercises no supervision over 

 private wells, a special system has been devised whereby the State leases very 

 large tracts at a modest rental, .$4 to $10 per hectare, for a period of 24 years, 

 with privilege of indefinite renewal, upon condition that the lessee bore arte- 

 sian wells, from which he is to profit during the term of lease but which 

 become the property of the State after abandonment. 



Artesian water is applied in Australia to three purposes, briefly: (1) The 

 establishment of public watering places on the long overland trails; (2) cul- 

 tivation by irrigation, patterned after California methods, fruit being exten- 

 sively grown on blocks of 15 to 20 acres surrounding artesian wells and to 

 which the government rents a certain quantity of water at a profitable price ; 

 and (3) stock raising. 



In spite of the number of wells the level is not appreciably lowei'ed, even 

 in periods of exceptional drouth, and the prospects of this water supply when 

 so developed as to make possible the settlement of central Australia are con- 

 sidered very good. 



The wind engine for pumping, G. Phelps {Surveyor. 30 {1906), No. 779, pp. 

 702, 703). — In a pap(i;r read before the Association of Water Engineers in London 

 the writer discusses the n\odern windmill in connection with its use in the 

 pumping of water for the supply of small rural comnmnities. 



The cost of oil and attendance for such mills is fi'gured at from $25 to $30 per 

 year, but it is considered necessary, in order to secure a constant supply, that 

 reservoir capacity be provided, as well as auxiliary machinery, which in some 

 cases may be a horse gear arranged to be coupled to the pump during long- 

 continued periods of calm. A table is given showing an approximate average 

 duty of wind-pumping engines, with an assumed lift of 100 ft, including friction, 

 from which the following figures are taken : 



Ai^cra(/r (li(tii of iri)i(1-i)itiiipiiif) rnaiiirs. 



These figures ai'e given as the result of actual experience and in the opinion 

 of the v/riter may be relied upon, assuming the site to be reasonably good and 



