1HE IRRIGATION AGE. 305 



the water into the box on the side which is provided with an opening 

 into the irrigator's ditch. 



The side of this box, next to the canal, is of such a height as to 

 keep a certain depth of water, usually four or six inches, above the 

 opening into the irrigator's ditch. The surplus runs over the side of 

 the box back into the canal. The pressure being maintained constant, 

 the flow through a certain sized opening will always be the same. 



This scheme is the invention of Engineer A. W. Foote of Idaho. 

 It is a very satisfactory arrangement for measuring out a certain 

 quantity of water. 



In bulletin 27 of the Colorado Experiment station. Prof. L. G. 

 Carpenter mentions some interesting devices for measuring out a c^r. 

 tain quantity of water from a canal. One invented by an Australian 

 consists of a cylinder floating vertically in the waier. The water en- 

 ters the top of the cylinder, which is kept a certain depth in the water 

 by means of a bellows arrangement fastened to the bottom of the cyl- 

 inder and to that of the canal; the bellows is made of leather in such a 

 way that it will open and close as the water varies in depth, and this 

 keeps a constant head on the top of the cylinder. 



The water from the cylinder passes out through a pipe connected 

 with it by a flexible joist. 



The same bulletin mentions one of similar design, being used on 

 the Marseilles canal, but it was discarded because it was not sensitive 

 enough. 



Now, while I think these schemes are an improvement on the 

 methods depending on the judgment of the ditch-rider or watermaster, 

 I am of the opinion that the problem is not fully solved. I have not 

 seen anything offered to the irrigators in the way of a subdivison of 

 the water, that is simple enough, cheap enough, and withal precise 

 enough to merit general adoption. 



In localities where the water supply is inadequate, the time sys- 

 tem of distribution among individuals will accomplish considerable 

 toward its economic use. Of course, in order that the method may be 

 just, the amount of water in the ditch should be kept as nearly con- 

 stant as can be. Then the aim should be to give each the quantity of 

 water proportional with his right, and therefore the perfection of this 

 system would be where a person gets the quantity he has a right to. 

 To illustrate what I mean: If one person uses the water soon 

 after it leaves the canal and another with equal right after it has 

 flowed three-fourths of a mile, evidently the last man should have the 

 use of it longer than the firs r . The stream has irrigated trees and 

 vegetation of various kinds in the three-fourths mile of flow; it has 

 lost, by evaporation and percolation and the volume of flow is lessened. 

 If one is to get as much as another, evidently the time cannot be the 

 same. 



A few points I sh;ill mention to you in this connection will. I hope, 



