THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



21 



by washing away, because the builders did not realize that 

 in case of an ordinary flood, say 5 or 10 feet high, that the 

 whole sand bed for even 15 feet deep is moving bodily down 

 stream, and should the dam be made strong enough to hold 

 this force, the sand reservoir being always full of water, there 

 is no reserve and the deposited silt being held back, the 

 porosity of the affected area becomes less each year. 



The gravity siphon system has some advantages over 

 the underdrain collecting galleries plan, that is frequently 

 used, in addition to the large amount saved in first cost, for 

 a small system, the main advantage is that very often there 

 are other water bearing strata below the first sand bed by 

 sinking the perforated tubes through the intervening clay or 

 rock layers the water frequently rises to the height of the 

 upper water plane and is siphoned out with the top flow. 

 The draining of the upper bed does not usually affect the 

 lower flow, or its pressure. 



The perforated tube or well and the suction pipe within 

 should all extend down below the suction limit or below the 

 siphon outlet to prevent air from getting into the suction 

 pipes. It may be necessary at times to use a suction pump to 

 relieve accumulated air in the crown of the siphon. 



J. K. Sweeney. 



inent growers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana 

 and other western states to invite the most rigid investiga- 

 tion of the irrigated districts, to show there is no truth 

 in the rumors that irrigated orchards are going back or 

 declining in productivity and value, adding: 



"It appears very much as if a deep plot were laid to 

 injure the reputation of the Pacific Northwest, which now 

 is justly famed as the world's commercial apple district, 

 and also harm other western states. California, Oregon, 

 Washington and western states generally are mentioned 

 in the Washington press report, saying the Department 

 of Agriculture has decidid to begin an investigation to 

 determine the cause of the deterioration of orange, apple 

 and pear orchards. The whole thing is a base fabrication 

 from beginning to end. 



"The Spokane Chamber of Commerce, which has the 

 support of commercial organizations and growers all over 

 the western country, is determined that this grievous 

 wrong to the west be righted without delay. Western 

 orchards are thriving and increasing in value yearly and 

 the growers are prosperous and contented; tree pests and 

 other diseases, which never gained a serious foothold, 



UNDERCROUND 

 BY GRAV>TY-SlfHON SYSTEM 



TOTALCOST ABOUT # 3.OOO OO 

 C/IPACin 2.3CU.FT. PER SEC. 



Reclaiming Underground Water from Stream Beds. 



OF INTEREST TO IRRIGATORS. 



THE IRRIGATION AGE, 



30 North Dearborn Street, 

 Chicago, 111. 



Gentlemen: We enclose our check for $1.00, for one 

 year's subscription to THE IRRIGATION AGE, beginning with 

 November, 1911, issue. 



We have recently opened offices at 52 Broadway, 

 New York, and intend making a specialty of irrigation 

 work, having on our staff engineers thoroughly experi- 

 enced in irrigation engineering and construction. We are 

 prepared to assist in financing any meritorious irrigation 

 project upon which we make a favorable report, and also 

 to supervise the construction work and management of 

 the enterprise. 



We would greatly appreciate any suggestions you 

 may care to offer as to the best method of getting in 

 touch with people requiring services of this character. 



Yours very truly, 

 B. C. DONHAM & COMPANY, 



By J. L. Stewart. 



have been reduced to a minimum, and in justice we de- 

 luaud that the truth be told." 



AUGUST WOLF, 

 225 Hutton Building, Spokane, Wash. 



WANTS INFORMATION ON THE CURTISS ACT. 



Publishers THE IRRIGATION AGE, Chicago, 111. 



Being a subscriber to your paper, will thank you for 

 the following information desired, by mail: 



Is there a law known as the "Curtiss Act" which for- 

 bids a construction company under the Carey Act from 

 collecting payments on water rights until said company 

 furnishes water to raise one crop? Is it a state or na- 

 tional law and if effective in Colorado? Where can I 

 obtain copy of same? Thanking you in advance, I remain. 

 Yours truly, L. H. RENNECKAR. 



Box 56, Two Buttes, Colo. 



(Can some of our readers supply the desired infor- 

 mation to Mr. Renneckar? An answer either directly to 

 Mr. L. H. Renneckar, Two Buttes, Colo., or a letter to the 

 Editor IRRIGATION AGE will be appreciated. EDITOR.) 



FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. 



Editor IRRIGATION AGE. 



Robert J. Maclean, secretary of the Spokane Chamber 

 of Commerce, has forwarded a lengthy communication to 

 James Wilson, secretary of the United States Department 

 of Agriculture, urging him to ascertain the source of the 

 reports, sent broadcast from Washington, D. C., that de- 

 terioration is noted in western orchards where intensive 

 methods are practiced, also to instruct the Bureau of 

 Pomology and the Reclamation Service to issue official 

 statements setting forth the fact that the reports are with- 

 out foundation and were not authorized by the depart- 

 ment. 



Mr. Maclean says he has been authorized by prom- 



PERSONAL. 



Mr. Gano Dunn has just returned from abroad, where, 

 as a representative of the United States Government, and 

 as president of the American Institute of Electrical Engi- 

 neers, he has been attending the International Electrical 

 Congress at Turin and the meeting of the International' 

 Electro-Technical Commission, the body that has been 

 organized to bring about the international uniformity of 

 standards and practice in the electrical industry. 



Mr. Dunn, who for many years was first vice-president 

 and chief engineer of the Crocker-Wheeler Company, and 

 is a past president of the New York Electrical Society, 

 has been elected a director and a vice-president of J. G. 

 White & Company, Inc. 



