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GENERAL INTRODUCTION 



COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER 



During recent years there has been a very large increase in the 

 number and variety of electric power applications, and this has a 

 very important bearing in stimulating the development of water 

 powers. Among the more important industries affected may be 

 mentioned: Agricultural work, including irrigation, textile mills, 

 mining, electrochemical work, railroad electrifications, etc. 



Agricultural Work. The possibilities of the use of hydro- 

 electric power in connection with farming and agricultural work 



FIG. 8. Operating Thresher at Night with Portable Motor Outfit. 



are many and offer one of the most promising fields of the future. 

 The unqualified success that the application of electric power 

 has had in this line of work indicates that it has become a factor 

 of such importance that it must now be seriously considered as 

 affecting both the cost and quality of the products of the modern 

 farm. Compared to other forms of applied power, the chief 

 advantages of electricity are reliability, safety, cleanliness and 

 flexibility in application. Power can be readily and economically 

 distributed to the scattered location of the various buildings where 

 the cost of providing separate engines would be practically pro- 



