262 



FARM DEVELOPMENT 



Figure 159. Manner of using biped leveling device 



Taking the water from ditches upon the land. 



There are various devices for allowing the water to leave 

 the field side ditch and run into the field, and to flood 

 the land from the ditch located within the field. The 

 normal level of running water in the ditch is raised by 

 means of dams made in a variety of ways. In small 



ditches some spadefuls 

 of earth serve to stop 

 the flow of water, or a 

 part of it, and a small 

 notch cut through the 

 embankment allows a 

 stream of the desired 

 size to flow into the field 

 furrow or to be spread 

 out to flood the land. A 

 canvas dam, fashioned 

 like that shown in Figure 164, and used as in Figure 

 165, often serves the purpose. A few shovelfuls of earth 

 hold the canvas in place. A dam made like 

 that shown in Figure 166 is often useful. 

 Several dozen pipes made of half-inch 

 boards, with openings 2x2 inches and 3 

 feet long, with gate ; or for small amounts 

 of water, four half laths nailed together, 

 and inserted through the bank, with upper 

 end 2 inches below the surface of the 

 water and the outer end leading into the 

 row ditch or into the field, will often en- 

 able a man to work more rapidly, and to 

 distribute the water more equitably into 

 furrows or upon the field of grain or grass. 

 character of the land has much to do with its needs 

 for irrigation, and also with the method which must be 

 employed in the use of the water. Thus, upon sandy or 

 gravelly lands more water is required than on lands 



Figure 160. Detail 

 of adjustable leg of 

 " veling device. 



The 



