244 1 HE IRRIGA TION A GE. 



inexpensive power of the wind whenever it blows, night or day, and 

 the engine in emergencies whenever the windmills are found inade- 

 quate to supply the amount of water required. The windmills gather 

 the power of the wind and apply it to the pumps without any running 

 expense, except for oil and ordinary repairs. The gasoline engine 

 uses no fuel, except when it is actually in operation. It is always 

 ready for work, and can be started in full operation almost instantly; 

 and when running, the expense for fuel per horse power is very mod- 

 erate indeed. 



The combination of these two very practical, economical and 

 durable motors for raising water for irrigating p'urposes is certainly 

 the most desirable arrangement known. Two to four pumps can be 

 coupled to the engine and arranged so that cne or all can be operated 

 at once, as may be preferred. With the windmills, it is best to use 

 but one single acting pump with each, of as large capacity as the 

 mill will handled on its longest fixed stroke in a moderate wind. 



A reservoir will be needed of course, to store up the 

 water until it is required; and can be cheaply made in almost any lo- 

 cality entirely out of dirt, and will hold water first rate if well pud- 

 dled. 



Only a general outline of practical economical methods of install- 

 ing an irrigation plant has been attempted in this article; specifica- 

 tions in detail, cannot well be furnished in a general way, and it is a 

 waste of time to enter into the details as to the number of pumps re- 

 quired, the sizes of same, or power necessary for any certain work, 

 unless the local conditions as to water supply, elevation, etc., are 

 known. However, an approximate statement of the results to be ob- 

 tained from pumps' and from a practical pumping plant can be fur- 

 nished with the assurance that they will be found mainly accurate. 



It will cost $115 per acre per annum to irrigate with such a pump- 

 ing plant as has been outlined herein and raise the water 15 feet ver- 

 tically. This estimate covers the cost of fuel, repairs, interest on 

 investment in pumps, power, reservoir, etc., at 7 per cent, and depre- 

 ciation in plant 10 per cent per annum ;also contemplates the probable 

 loss of power in friction and loss of water by seepage and evapora- 

 tion from reservoir, and contemplates the supplying of sufficient water 

 from the reservoir to furnish 10 acre inches, per acre, which is consid- 

 ered ample, for the season, in most irrigation countries. 



The cost of ditch irrigation varies greatly in different localities, 

 but it would be safe to say that $15 per acre for a perpetual water 

 right in a good ditch is a very moderate average. Seven per cent in- 

 terest on this investment would be $1.05; add to this a very moderate 

 annual assessment for maintainance of 25 cents per acre and you have 

 a total ann ual exf enditure of $1.30 per acre. 



