THE IRRIGATION AGE 243 



coarse sand or gravel, a point of moderate length and of ordinary 60 

 gauze will be sufficient. It is difficult to offer much information along 

 this line, which will be of practical service in the selection of well 

 points for any unknown conditions, and it is usually best to secure 

 the advice of some practical well-maker, who is familiar with the ex- 

 act local conditions when the question of the selection of points 

 arises. 



After the arranging for the water supply, the next in importance 

 is the selection of the pumps and the power. There are many differ- 

 ent ideas on this subject, particularly in relation to pumps; but it is 

 almost universally conceded by men experienced in pump irrigation, 

 that the common, singie-actiug plunger pump, provides the most eco- 

 nomical and practical way of raising water for irrigation purposes. 

 Many other devices, such as elevators, rotary and centrifugal pumps 

 are in use, but for economy in power, simplicity and durability, the 

 ordinary plunger pump, of the type specially designed for irrigating, 

 is much preferable. A good, strong, plunger pump of required ca- 

 pacity should be selected, and as many of them as the needs of the 

 plant require; the cylinder should have large free valve ports for both 

 plunger and check valve; the pipe between top of cylinder and outlet 

 of pump should he one-fourth to one half inch larger in diameter than 

 the cylinder, to permit the withdrawal of plunger and check valve 

 without disturbing the remainder of outfit. 



The pump top maybe of any preferred style, the only special re- 

 quirement being to have it substantial, and provided with an outlet 

 large enough to carry the water freely as fast as pumped. It is best, 

 however, to have this top provided with a removable cap, held in 

 place with set screws so it can be easily removed when it is desired to 

 take out the plunger and check valves. It is preferable to have the 

 pipe between pump top and cylinder made of standard wrought iron 

 casing, as it does not rust easily and cannot be jammed to damage it, 

 and is by all means the most suitable material to use. It is a good 

 plan also to use a base flange provided with several set screws to hold 

 the pipe securely to the platform. The plunger rod may be made of 

 pipe or wood, as preferred; but it should be strong, strong enough in 

 fact so it will not break. If the pump is to be used in an open well, a 

 short piece of pipe, capped at its lower end and drilled full of holes, 

 may be screwed into the bottom of the cylinder; the weight of the 

 pump being mainly supported on this pipe, the capped end resting 

 firmly on the gravel in the bottom of well. If sand points are used 

 the cylinder should be securely connected to same with standard pipe 

 fittings. 



For power, the most practical and economical way is to use one 

 or more windmills in conjunction with a gasoline engine, utilizing the 



