METHODS OF APPLYING WATER. 171 



Specially adapted to it. One now invented and manu- 

 fadlured by B. F. Shuart, of Oberlin, Ohio, solves the 

 problem. A good idea of this land leveler is gained 

 from Fig. 48. 



Hesper Farm, near Billings, Montana, on which 

 this machine was first put to service, was graded by it 

 so perfedlly that the water when turned from the ditch 

 spreads over the surface by the mere force of gravity, 

 with a uniformity of effe(5l which reduces the task of 

 irrigation almost to recreation. On this farm one man 

 handles 250 inches of water and has time to spare. 

 Grading land pradlically dispenses with the incessant 

 and exhaustive use of the shovel, incident to irrigating 

 under ordinary conditions. On a well-graded farm 

 the irrigator in applying the water has little need of 

 his shovel, except for opening . and closing again the 

 banks of the ditches where he turns out the water. 

 The even grade also makes it possible to run the water 

 farther, and thus reduces the number of laterals neces- 

 sary, and increases the head of water which can be 

 used to advantage. Fifty inches is the head ordinarily 

 used on Hesper Farm. With this machine one man 

 with a team can grade from three to five acres a day on 

 an average. 



There are now other levelers in use, such as illus- 

 trated in Fig. 49, propelled by four horses, which will 

 grade from twenty to twenty -five acres a day, and leave 

 the surface in fine condition for seeding. In these the 

 cutting blade is a 2x8 inch plank, twelve feet long, 

 shod with a plate of steel six inches wide, one-half 

 inch thick, and the length of the plank. This is sus- 

 pended by coiled springs, is raised and lowered by 



