288 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



ditches in heavy soils are placed about 100 ft. apart and are dug some 3 ft. 

 deep with a bottom width of 2 ft. and a top width of 4 ft. An open traction 

 ditcher used for digging lateral ditches is illustrated. 



Attention is called to the plant growths, particularly the water hyacinth, 

 which frequently obstruct the ditch systems, often to the extent of practicallj' 

 making them useless for drainage purposes. Several methods for getting rid 

 of this pest are u)entioned. 



Under pumping plants are noted the various types of pumping machinery in 

 use, which was found to vary greatly. As the necessary water lift in the 

 plantations of this section varies from 3 to 10 ft., it is desirable to choose a 

 pump which will only raise the water to the height that may be required at 

 any particular time, thus avoiding unnecessary operating expense. 



The size of the tract and the number of days through the year when the 

 plant will be operated determine in a large measure the class of machinery 

 which it is best to employ. If the pumps are called on for regular work it 

 will usually pay to install automatic high-speed engines, feed water heaters, 

 and other fuel saving devices. 



The principles and practice of land drainage, E. R. Jones {Wisconsin Sta. 

 Bui. 199, pp. 3-30, figs. 15). — This bulletin discusses the reasons for land 

 drainage, the extent and nature of wet lands in Wisconsin, the leading types 

 of drains and drainage systems, the proper depth, size, and gradient of drains, 

 their cost and durability, some details of tile laying, and some common mis- 

 takes in land drainage. Plans for a number of drainage projects are included, 

 with cost data in some cases. 



Replies from township assessors, verified by general and detailed field studies, 

 indicated that over 7,000,000 acres in Wisconsin are in need of better drainage. 

 Of this about one-third consists of muck and peat marshes and the remainder 

 is largely made up of wet clays. 



Recent irrigation legislation, R. P. Teele {U. 8. Dcpt. Agr., Office Expt. 

 Stas. Rpt. 1909, pp. 399-Jil4). — This article summarizes and discusses state 

 legislation affecting irrigation enacted since 1905, previous legislation having 

 been already noted (E. S. R., 18, p. 287). The legislation is discussed under the 

 headings of administrative law, acquirement of rights, distribution of water, 

 transfers, irrigation districts, and general legislation. 



[The comparative cost of travel by horse and wagon and automobile] 

 {Boston Evening Transcript, 1910, Oct. 8, pt. 2, p. 6). — A report of a 6-day test 

 between a Maxwell automobile and a horse and wagon. 



The automobile covered 457.9 miles, at a cost of $6.20 for gasoline and oil, 

 and the depreciation was $8.24, making a total cost per mile of 3.15 cts., and 

 the cost per passenger mile 1.5 cts. The cost of oats and hay for the horse one 

 week was $5.80, the number of miles traveled, 193.3, and the depreciation, $1.47, 

 making the total cost per mile 3.68 cts., and the cost per passenger mile 1.84 

 cts. There were no repairs in either case. The depreciation in the case of the 

 automobile was rated at 20 per cent a year on the basis of 10,000 miles a year, 

 which amounts to 18 cts. a mile. The depreciation on the wagon, harness, and 

 horse was based on the original cost of $275, the outfit being supposed to last 

 10 years and to be capable of 10 miles' travel every day, making a depreciation 

 of 0.75 ct. per mile. 



Life and care of farm machinery in Colorado, H. M. Bainer and H. B. 

 EoNEBKiGHT (CoJovado Sta. Bui. 167, pp. 3-19, figs. 8).— After an investigation 

 of farm conditions the authors estimate the valuation of agricultural imple- 

 ments on Colorado farms at not less than $10,000,000. In connection with the 

 selection of machinery they offer suggestions as to type, size, accessibility to 

 repairs, oils and oiling devices, painting, and care in securing undamaged 



