240 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



what is the effect of tillage on irrigated land and what 

 is the effect of irrigation without tillage, as well as 

 the effect of neither irrigation nor tillage on different 

 widths of drill rows. In this way it is hoped to be able 

 to determine just how much extra labor in tillage and 

 irrigation a farmer may afford to put on his land to 

 make it pay in increased yield of crops. 



The various implements used are also tested for 

 draft with dynamometers to determine the actual 

 amount of energy and horsepower required to operate 

 them. Drills and planters are calibrated for accuracy 

 of planting the crops. From the experiments already 

 conducted it has been learned that with such crops as 

 corn, beets and cotton, the yield may be largely increased 

 and the labor reduced by the grading of the seeds into 

 uniform size and by the use of planters which will 

 deposit the seeds a predetermined number in a hill or 

 a uniform distance apart in the row. Another line of 

 investigation which the office has under way is to deter- 

 mine the efficiency of denaturised alcohol as a substi- 

 tute for gasoline and kerosene in lamps, stoves and in- 



FACTS THAT ALL SHOULD KNOW. 



In view of the unfounded reports with relation to 

 the recent earthquake at San Francisco and other points 

 in its neighborhood, the facts regarding the Sacramento 

 Valley should be made widely known. 



This earthquake was barely felt in Sacramento 

 and the Sacramento Valley generally, and did absolutely 

 no harm in this city or any other point in the valley. 



In all the history of California there is no record 

 of a serious or destructive earthquake in this city or 

 elsewhere in this valley, causing loss of life or ruining 

 any substantial building. 



Among the people of this city and the valley, in- 

 cluding the oldest inhabitants, there is no fear of earth- 

 quake. The slight tremors that have at times been ex- 

 perienced are not of an alarming character. 



The floor of the valley consists of alluvial deposits 

 of earth, sand, clay and gravel, extending to a known 

 depth of nearly half a mile and probably much deeper. 



A Steam Dredger in Operation, Loading Cars on the Banks of the Truchee Canal, Nevada. 



ternal combustion engines, and to determine its cost of 

 manufacture from various farm products such as corn, 

 potatoes, beat pulp and molasses from sugar factories. 

 Congress has recently passed a bill which removes all 

 internal taxes from alcohol used for industrial purposes. 

 If the Senate should pass the bill it will mean a great 

 development in agriculture, as without tax this grain 

 alcohol can be manufactured for from 12 to 15 cents 

 per gallon, and the famer may be able to obtain cheap 

 power, light and heat from his own farm products 

 which will pump his water for irrigation, propel his 

 farm implements and do other farm work, light his 

 house and cook his meals. 



This loose formation is believed by geologists to afford 

 security against destructive earthquakes, as any serious 

 jar from the solid rock far below must be dissipated 

 and lost in the alluvium, as the force of a bullet is spent 

 in sand. 



The San Francisco earthquake caused small loss in 

 comparison with the fire which followed it. And that 

 earthquake was not more characteristic of California 

 than the Charleston earthquake was of the Atlantic 

 Coast. 



No such shock is likely ever again to visit any part 

 of California, and certainly not the City of Sacramento 

 or the Sacramento Valley. The Evening Bee, Sacra- 

 mento, Cdl. 



Our readers are requested to send us in the 

 address of friends to whom you wish sample 

 copies of Irrigation Age mailed. 



Send $2.50 for The Irrigation Age 

 1 yea.r, a.nd the Primer of Irrigation 



