242 THE IRRIOA Tl ON A GE. 



of the wells. An open curbed well is the best if the water-bearing 

 sand is coarse enough and the strata is thick enough to furnish suffi- 

 cient water. It is best because a pump will draw from an open body 

 of water with a less expenditure of power. Sand points should only 

 be used where a good open well is impossible; they are reliable and 

 practicable, but an open well is better. 



A good open well can usually be made by first digging a hole of 

 required diameter (4 to 8 feet) down to the water-bearing sand and 

 then curbing with 2x4 or 2x6 lumber, strongly girted inside with 2x6 

 or 2x8, A strong iron hoop or band should be placed at the bottom 

 of the curbing and perhaps another at the top and still another in the 

 middle would be advisable, if the curbing is long; sometimes it is ad- 

 visable to leave the staves of the curbing loose so each one can be 

 driven independently of the others. The sand can be removed 

 from under the curbing with a shovel made especially for this pur- 

 pose and having two long handles; then if the curbing is driven or 

 weight applied it can usually be sunk the required depth; it may 

 sometimes be necessary to pump the water out while the curbing is 

 being sunk. Numerous small holes should be made in the curbing 

 below the water line to let the water in freely, and it is generally best 

 to cover them with perforated sheet brass or brass wire cloth, and 

 some times it would be best to use both. 



It is impracticable to formulate a set of rules for making wells for 

 irrigation purposes, to fit every case; but if the general outlines 

 named are followed in making wells of moderate depths, success will 

 generally be attained. 



If the local conditions prevent the making of an opaa well sand 

 points may be resorted to, and usually with success. In sinking sand 

 points, like open well making, no set of rules can be applied to every 

 case, but the almost universal practice is to sink a pit of required di- 

 ameter (4 to 8 feet) down to the water-bearing sand and then drive or 

 sand pump the points to the required depth. Some times it will be 

 better to use a number of small points for one pump cylinder, as it is 

 not so difficult to drive them as it is to sink a point of large diameter; 

 but usually a large open end point can be sand-pumped down to a 

 good supply of water successfully, after which the lower end can be 

 closed with a wooden plug or a bag of cement. Whether the points 

 are large or small, they can always be connected to the cylinder with 

 standard pipe fittings, and the cylinder, by the way, should always be 

 placed as near the water line as possible. 



The length of the points and kind must of necessity be governed 

 by the local conditions. Where the water is not abundant, longer 

 points will be required than where there is an abundance of water in 

 coarse sand. Where there is a good flow of water, and it is found in 



