THE IRRIGATION AGE. 32 d 



compact, well- shaped farm, of easy construction and economical to 

 irrigate. I may further state that the improvements had already 

 commenced when I visited the place. Pulsometer, steam boiler and 

 engine were in position and ready to work. These I included in my 

 design which is outlined by the diagram on another page. The farm 

 is part of a 20,000 acre pasture along the Rio Grande south of Laredo. 

 Viewing this place from the river, the first thing observed is a well 

 built brick tower rising from low water, in which is a Pulsometer of 

 large size. On the bank, 63 feet above, there is a row of buildings; 

 the first is for the steam boiler and engine, the other contains mach- 

 inery usual in first class farms. Here my design calls for a water 

 reservoir to hold at least three-quarters of a million gallons, or say 

 ten hours pumping of Pulsometer. This is placed as conveniently as 

 possible. Into this reservoir the water is pumped from the river and 

 from it delivered to the different pipes and ditches which carry it to> 

 the land, their supply being regulated by sluices, Referring to the 

 diagram it will be seen that the main canal runs almost the entire 

 length of the irrigated land, about three-quarters of a mile. It is 

 three feet wide at top and fifteen inches deep, so that water flowing 

 half full at a velocity of from 70 to 90 feet per minute will deliver 

 1,000 gallons, which is sufficient for men to handle. 



This canal forms. a principal feature of the works. It is carried 

 for about 3,000 feet on an earth embankment, which at the western 

 end is eighteen inches high. From this point the height varies with 

 the contour of the ground, giving a fall for the canal of 1 in 1,000. 

 The bottom of the canal is rendered impervious by being of soured, 

 well puddled clay; lining of sides of same material in slabs or tiles, 

 by which means leakage and erosion are reduced to a minimum. The 

 remainder is a wooden flume on tressels, carrying it nearly to eastern 

 end of the farm. The canal viewed from the reservoir would appear 

 a straight streak of silvered glass, as by arrangements only filtered 

 water would be pumped, being easier o'n machinery, and the mud of 

 the Rio Grande now contains no substance that would benefit plant 

 life, but at times matter which though insoluble becomes by oxidation 

 and time soluble and injurious. The steam boiler is of the ordinary 

 tubular type. For fuel I would use Beaumont oil, as I do not con- 

 sider it advisable even to partially deplete a pasture of trees unless 

 they are very plentiful. To denude it would be to destroy it for the 

 purpose, as cattle require shade from summer sun and protection 

 from the cold northers of winter, equally as much as they require 

 food, if they are to be kept in condition. 



The irrigated farm is to consist of about 250 acres. It can 

 be increased to one thousand on the same plan, but I believe even 

 this acreage is more than the present supply of water will irrigate 



