186 



THE FARMERS HANDBOOK. 



CONSERVATION OF WATER. 



Many areas of land taken up for grazing and cultivation have no natural 

 permanent water supply; therefore the matter of providing a sufficiency of 

 this most necessary element should be a first consideration with the settler. 



TANKS AND DAMS.* 



It is somewhat difficult to arrive at the quantity required for sheep and for 

 cattle, say, over a period of twelve months. Every person must be his own 

 judge as to whether the weather conditions of his climate warrant him in 

 providing for a shorter period, or whether in the driest parts it will not be 

 wiser even to provide for a longer period, but there are a few points that 

 are worthy of consideration in determining the size of a dam. 



Sheep, more especially when there is plenty of green feed with a moderate 

 temperature, require very little water; indeed, they have been known to go- 



Excavated tank. 



months without any and do well. When, however, feed is dry and dust> 

 they drink a great deal. When there is a drought and the weather is very 

 hot they almost live on water, and they also carry out a lot of water in their 

 wool. Taking these things into consideration, and also the evaporation from 

 the surface, I consider that 1J gallons per day for each sheep should bii 

 provided. This makes the requirements of each sheep for one year 456^ 

 gallons. Each cubic yard of water contains 168| gallons, which works out 

 at about 2f cubic yards per sheep. As it is always safer to provide a little 

 more, I would advise that 3 cubic yards of water be provided for each sheep 

 intended to be watered at the tank, or tanks ; for 100 sheep, therefore, provide 

 300 cubic yards of water; for cattle and horses, from 24 to 30 cubic yards 

 should be provided for each beast for one year. 



Having considered the quantity of water in cubic yards that will be 

 required for the maximum number of stock intended to be kept, providing for 

 the driest seasons (and of water there should always be more than enough), 

 the next thing to do is to select the most convenient position or positions on 

 the estate for watering stock. 



* R. H. Gennys, Manager, Glen Innes Experiment Farm. 



