68 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
sirable. In the presence of several persons interested in irrigating I 
have attached lawn sprinklers to hose and the results were beyond ex- 
pectations; they all agreed that lawn sprinklers attached to hose 
set at intervals in the garden would bring grand results,as my 
engine could be started in the evening and would run a// night 
without being looked after. 
This vapor engine with pump combined is thé most economical 
one inthe market, requiring no hboiler,no steam, no coal, no ashes, 
no dirt, no fire and no engineer. This isanengine which can be 
placed in your house or barn with perfect safety, asit requires no 
fire, is self-feeding, capable of being started by a boy and then left 
to care for itself. It can be operated almost as cheaply as a wind- 
mill, (which is subject to the elements and cannot be depended 
upon). Butthis enginehas the “virtue” of always being ready to 
go at full capacity at a moments notice. 
In computing the cost of running, the following facts should be 
taken into consideration. (I.) No expense until started. (II.) No 
necessity of starting until the power is required. (III.) Expense 
while running is always in exact proportion to the amount of power 
used. (IV.) The moment the engine stops,all expense stops. 
My engine is a four horse power, and the expense averages from - 
thirty to forty cents for ten hours. The capacity of water pumped 
was about 3,000 gallons per hour good measure. This quantity of 
water can be greatly increased; by changing a bolton the engine, 
the stroke can be changed to discharge more water at will. 
The pressure I get on top of the hill from my engine is strong 
enough to throw a stream of water over my house which is two 
stories high; of course, at the lower parts of the garden the pressure 
is much greater. 
In spite of all the advantage I had over the dry season, I did not 
make a fortune last year by raising fruit, but I have learned some 
solid experimental facts,and I hope that by your next meeting I 
shall be able to be with you all, and bring some of my irrigated 
fruits and some cream to. 
I will be glad to correspond with those who are interested in irri- 
gations and wish to find out more about my system. 
NOTES ON IRRIGATION. 
WILLARD BUCK, ALEXANDRIA. 
“T am glad the subject of irrigation is getting before the people. 
Minnesota is quite a dry state. For small fruit and garden truck, 
we must irrigate to make it a success, but at present the people are 
asleep onit. They must wake up to succeed. 
In this city of Alexandria, I have a windmill and stone reservoir 
that holds over six hundred barrels. The water comes from a slough 
and is fresh and warm. A two-inch pipe carries the water to where 
it is used. 
I was the only onein town last season who had a good garden, It 
attracted much attention from most of our prominent people, in- 
cluding my neighbor, Gov. Nelson. Well, [have had my experience 
in South California, and am at home atit. Yours for progress.” 
