RURAL ENGINEERING. 889 



private capital and nearly all the state projects under the Carey Act have failed 

 because of the lack of adequate engineering and complete financial plans, and 

 because of inexperience on the part of the State and interested parties in 

 obtaining good work. It is suggested that since the future prosi>erity of the 

 State depends in a large measure uix)n the construction of the large irrigation 

 works, the State should cooperate with the United States Reclamation Service 

 and authorize a bond issue for the construction of irrigation and power proj- 

 ects — the money when invested to be made a lien upon the land irrigated and 

 works constructed to insure its return in from 20 to 40 years with Interest, 

 thereby securing development without increasing taxation. 



It is concluded that by this method much water power can be developed 

 auxiliary to construction, thus reducing the burden on the irrigator, and that 

 by cooperating with the United States Reclamation Service the state funds can 

 be invested without running the risk of failure because of an inexperienced 

 state department. 



Triennial irrigation revenue report of Sindfor the triennium ending 1910- 

 11 (Trien. Irrig. Rev. Rpt. Sind, 1908-9—1910-11, pp. V+8Jt+2+2, pis. 7).— 

 This is the fourth triennial revenue report on irrigation works in Sind, contain- 

 ing statistical information, statements showing the working details and results 

 attained on each project in 4 successive triennial periods, and brief general 

 remarks. 



[Modern irrigation methods] (Xat. Land and Irrig. Jour., G {1912), No. 1, 

 pp. 14-16, figs. 4). — This article deals with past and present irrigation methods, 

 presenting as conclusions that earth ditches are wasteful, costly, and shift- 

 less; that wooden flumes are expensive, temporary, and wasteful; that con- 

 crete flumes are perishable, obstructive, and wasteful ; and that a concrete 

 pipe underground is a perfect water distributor, cheap in installation, durable, 

 cheap in maintenance, standing very high internal pressures when reinforced, 

 and if skillfully made with suitable materials considerable pressure without 

 reinforcement. 



Application of hydro-electric energy to irrigation pumping in southern 

 Idaho, E. A. Wilcox (Elect. World, 60 (1912), No. U,, pp. 705-710, figs. 13).— 

 This is a description of various installations with data on water require- 

 ments and considerations governing rates for service. 



It has been found much cheaper and better to water a large tract of land 

 with one large pumping plant than with a number of smaller ones, since the 

 machinery efficiency is greater, the seepage and evaporation losses are re- 

 duced, and the cost of installation is lowered. The older data on water 

 requirements called for a depth of 4 ft. or more annually, but recent tests 

 show that a fraction of this is sufficient for most crops and soils. The de- 

 mand for water runs over 6 months, from April to September inclusive; more 

 than half of the total requirements falling in June and July and the load 

 factor for the 6 mouths' season being about 0.5. 



The energy required for pumping is directly proportional to the lift and to 

 the quantity of water lifted. The cost of energy is based on the consumer's 

 highest half hour peak as shown by a recording meter, the price being commonly 

 $20 per horsepower of this peak for the 6 months' season. The generating 

 equipment is used in winter for supplying heat for homes, offices, stores, etc., 

 the heating load being taken on at a flat rate varying with the size and char- 

 acter of the installation. 



Experiments of 1908-1910 on lining of water courses to reduce absorp- 

 tion losses, F. W. SCHONEMANN (Punjab Irrig. Branch Papers. 1912, No. 11-c, 

 pp. 70, pis. 11). — K large amount of absorption and evaporation data showing 

 the efficiencies of different linings is presented. 



