144 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



ing. Be moderate in everything that tends to change 

 the temperature of the boiler. The safety or pop valve 

 should be raised once or twice a day when under pressure, 

 doing so very gently to make sure it is in working or- 

 der. 



Sediment collects in all boilers, due to the precipi- 

 tation of solid matter in feed water used. This sedi- 

 ment forms a scale, and the presence of a scale results 



No. 34. Irrigating ditch filled by pump of E. J. Hadlock, referred to in Plate 33. 



in fuel loss. It has been estimated that one-sixteenth 

 inch causes a loss of 13 per cent of fuel, one-fourth inch 

 38 per cent 'and one-half inch 60 per cent. Further, the 

 circulation of water in the boiler causes loose particles of 

 this scale to be deposited in some one place, which is 

 generally over the firebox. This place becomes overheated 

 and results in "bagging." In order to avoid the accumu- 

 lation of sediments, with the resulting evils, open the 

 manhole and clean the boiler out occasionally ; or boiler 

 compounds may be used which aid in decomposing the 

 scale. 



THE ENGINE. 



The following directions pertain to the ordinary 

 types of stationary steam. engines: Before starting the 

 engine oil up all around and see that the cylinder lubri- 

 cator is in working order. Then open all drain cocks, 

 open throttle valve slightly and allow the steam to warm 

 the walls of the steam chest and cylinder. Now start 

 the engine slowly and allow it to run a few minutes be- 

 fore closing the drain cocks, for if drain cocks are closed 

 too soon water will collect in the cylinder and either 

 split it or burst out the head. During the run feel the 

 bearings occasionally and avoid all lost motion by keep- 

 ing parts well tightened up. 



On closing down first open drain cocks, then close 

 throttle slowly, allowing the engine to slow down grad- 

 ually. Never open or close the throttle valve quickly. 

 If any unusual noises occur during the run, closr 

 down immediately and investigate. Clean off the en- 

 gine thoroughly after each run. It pays to use a good 

 quality of cylinder oil. Give the cylinder oil in quan- 

 tities of about one drop a minute. 



The method of starting and stopping gas and oil 

 engines vary so much with different makes that we have 

 not enumerated them here. 



PUMPS. 



In order to start a centrifugal or rotary pump it 

 is first necessary to raise the water into it. This can 

 lie done by use of the ejector when in connection with a 

 steam plant. To do this, close the mouth of the ex- 

 haust water pipe by some convenient means, a good way 

 being to place a piece of soft leather, stretched on a 

 board, over it. Now turn steam through the ejector; 

 this will exhaust the air and raise the water into the 

 pump. When this is done start the engine, gradually 

 coming to speed. If the pump is run by a gas or oil 

 engine, an ordinary hand pump may be used to raise 

 the water. During the run keep the bearings of the 

 pump and counter shaft, if any, well oiled. Feel each 

 occasionally. Keep the belts in good condition and avoid 

 slippage by the use of belt dressing. A pump fails be- 

 cause it leaks; there can be no other reason; find the 

 leak and repair it. Leaky valves can be repaired by 

 grinding valve seats. Always drain the pump in cold 

 weather, for water remaining in it will probably freeze 

 and either loosen joints or burst the pump. Lastly, al- 

 ways keep material for gaskets and packing on hand. 



LA JARA AN IDEAL LOCATION. 



Beautiful Farming Country in the Great San Luis Valley in 

 New Mexico. 



La Jara is a farming town located eighteen miles 

 north of New Mexico line on the Denver & Rio Grande 

 railroad in the San Luis Valley. It has an elevation 

 of a little over 7,000 feet. The surrounding country 

 for miles in every direction is practically as level as 

 a floor, sloping only a few feet to the mile, and to the 

 inexperienced every way looks like down hill. The 

 country, however, slopes gradually to the northeast 

 the general course of the streams, which are the San 

 Antone, Rio Conejos, Rio La Jara and Alamosa rivers. 

 The entire country surrounding La Jara is underlaid 

 with artesian water that is as pure and free from min- 

 eral as man ever drank and of a temperature of 48 

 degrees Fahrenheit, winter or summer. This water 

 is obtained at a depth of from forty to sixty feet and 

 numerous other flows on down to several hundred feet. 

 The valley is underlaid with one great reservoir of 

 pure water for domestic, stock and agricultural pur- 

 poses. It has not, however, been used for the latter 

 purpose, owing to the abundant supply of river water 

 for irrigation purposes, the latter being more desirable, 

 as a sufficient head can be more easily obtained in that 

 manner. 



The principal crops are oats, wheat, barley, pota- 

 toes and peas. Small fruit does well. The cereals 

 yield from thirty to 100 bushels per acre. Peas are 

 generally pastured when ripe, netting in that man- 

 ner about $30 per acre as hog or sheep feed. The 

 country is just now in a transitory period, changing 

 from a stock to a farming country, and the next few 

 years will witness a great development in a farming 

 way. A great many Eastern farmers have settled near 

 La Jara in the last few months and development of 

 town and country is progressing rapidly. La Jara has 

 a mill and elevator of 250 barrels capacity, but it is 

 inadequate to handle the supply of grain marketed 

 there. There are four general stores, two exclusive 

 hardware stores, two meat markets and groceries, one 

 druo; store, one furniture store and one harness shop. 

 La Jara has also fine churches. 



