June, 1932] 



Electricity on New England Farms 



closely, showing the establishment of routine use of the equipment re- 

 tained after the experimental period and indicating how a steady and 

 methodical plan is carried on from year to year. 



Particular attention is called to the curves and kw.-hr. readings from 

 June, 1926, to November, 1927, during which period an electric hot- 

 water heater was operated under very adverse conditions. The cur- 

 rent consumed each month by this heater was abnormal, but when these 

 amounts are deducted from the farm total kw.-hrs., the curves for these 

 two years have the same characteristics and contour as for the last three 

 years, although they register a higher average volume. This experi- 

 ence substantiates observation made in the field that the water heating 

 problem presents difficulties which require unusual care in installation. 

 Similar difficulties were encountered on Farm No. 6 and will be dis- 

 cussed in the following pages. 



Bulk Load. 



From the standpoint of bulk load. Figure 3 shows that the 1,672 

 kw.-hrs. used in 1925 was increased 360% in 1926 and 520% in 1927. 

 That a considerable portion of this was due to experimental activities 

 needs no explanation. The important and lasting results, however, 

 appear in Table 1, and the columns in Figure 2 for 1928-29-30. Dur- 

 ing this period the farm settled down to a natural and normal routine 

 which developed an annual total consumption of around 6,000 kw.-hrs. 



Fig. 3. The developTnent of volume arid the trend of rates on Farm No. 1. 



