IRRIGATION AND WA1ER STORAGE. 



147 



these contrivances is the force used for lifting. In the case 

 of the ram or lifter illustrated, the water is admitted at 

 b, and enters an air chamber a through valve e until there 

 is pressure enough to lift the valve d, when the flow escapes 

 until the valve again drops. Meanwhile the water confined 

 under great air pressure in a is forced into the pipe c, where 

 it finds outlet into tanks or other storage places. 



Windmills. In many parts of the 

 country these wind engines do excellent 

 work. The requirements to make them 

 effective are a well fixed mill of sufficient 

 size, set on a well braced tower, an effective 

 lift and force pump, and tank space to 

 hold a body of water sufficient for irriga- 

 tion purposes. Much experience has been 

 gained in this country concerning the 

 capacity of wind engines of different sizes, 

 for raising water to any exent, where the 

 supply is available, and also concerning the 

 sizes of pipes that are suitable. 



Self-acting Syphons. By so arranging 

 a syphon, set in a tank, that when full 

 the water will overflow, the syphon thus 

 started will flow until the supply is 

 exhausted. Thus windmill and tanks can be made self 

 acting, and supply irrigation water with very little labor 

 and outlay. 



Watering Plants in a Dry Spell. Each plant has its 

 requirements. Some do with very little ; others want all 

 they can get. But none can live without water, not even 

 the rock lily or flannel flower, which seem to exist upon 

 dry, barren stones or gravel ; yet, even the greatest absorbers 

 of water, as sugar cane, maize, potatoes, water cress, or soft 

 annuajs may get too much. Much disappointment arises from 

 mistaken ideas concerning the watering and the way iu 

 which water is applied. Pot plants suffer seriously from 

 too much watering, as do plants in the bush-house and 

 conservatory. The general principle with which we have 

 to deal in using water by artificial means applies to field 

 crops equally with pot plants. In the early days of 



Windmill for 

 Pumping. 



