THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



147 



"HOME RULE" IS KEYNOTE 



Shoshone Project Farmers Hold Referendum; De- 

 mand Economy 



Water Users on the Shoshone project held a his- 

 tory-making referendum during the past month. The 

 settlers met at Powell, Garland and Ralston, Wyo. 

 The meetings were marked by enthusiasm and lively 

 interest for the success of the project and for the 

 settlers, who are building homes there. 



Home Rule for the project and economy in its 

 administration were the keynotes of the referendum 

 vote. By a vote of 161 to 23, the Board of Directors 

 of the Water Users' association was directed to con- 

 cern itself with the matter of who should or should 

 not be employed on the project by the Reclamation 

 Service. 



Immediate action by the Board to obtain the 

 greatest reasonable economy in the administration of 

 local Reclamation Service affairs was ordered by a 

 vote of 179 to 3. 



The Water Users voted to ask for the transfer 

 to some other project of C. M. Jump, superintendent 

 of irrigaton; for the abolishment of the position of 

 assistant superintendent of irrigation, and for the re- 

 duction of the number of engineers from five to three. 



The settlers voted in favor of having the opera- 

 tion and maintenance of the project turned over to 

 the Water Users as soon as the question of who shall 

 pay for drainage is finally determined. 



The vote showed disapproval of the rotation sys- 

 tem of water delivery and of graduated operation and 

 maintenance charges. 



The farmers voted almost unanimously in favor 

 of asking their Board of County Commissioners to 

 appropriate sufficient funds to employ an agricultural 

 expert, who will devote his entire time to promoting 

 better farming on the project and neighboring lands. 



CONCRETE HYDRAULIC RAM HOUSES. 



Among all the small devices used for hoisting 

 or pumping water, few have been more satisfactory 

 than the hydraulic ram, especially where economy 

 of operation has been a factor. To give the best 

 results a ram should be properly installed. This 

 means rigidity of foundation and absence of every- 

 thing calculated to obstruct the machine while in 

 operation. "Fixing the ram" is an old-time expres- 

 sion familiar to everybody who has had occasion to 

 use this simple and ingenious device. Sometimes 

 the necessity for "fixing" has been brought about 

 by a dislodged stone in the wall, or some obstruct- 

 ing substance in the mechanism. 



Concrete affords the best means of protection 

 to the ram, as it is impervious, durable and eco- 

 nomical. The accompanying illustration shows a 

 satisfactory type of building. A structure of this 

 character will not rot, even though in constant con- 

 tact with moisture, which quickly destroys wood. 

 There are no joints, which invariably become de- 

 fects in ordinary masonry. Concrete means a clean, 

 sanitary and satisfactory enclosure for the hydraulic 

 ram, and will do much to eliminate bills for repairs 

 due to improper installation or an unstable founda- 

 tion. 



To build a ram house of the type shown would 

 not require great mechanical skill. Having pre- 

 pared the pit or foundation and erected his forms, 

 the farmer would need to observe the following 

 precautions: 



Good cement, clean materials and the latter 

 used while absolutely fresh. A mixture of 1 part 

 Portland cement, 2 parts sand and 4 parts stone 

 would make a good concrete. The concrete should 

 be a wet mixture and placed in alternate layers 

 about 6 inches thick, which should be tamped 



A Concrete Hydraulic Ram House on the Property of John F. Jelke, 

 Dundee, III 



slightly until water comes to the surface. To obtain 

 a smooth surface the mass should be spaded on the 

 side next to the forms immediately after placing. 

 This is done by working a thin wooden paddle to 

 and fro and up and down between the concrete and 

 the side of the form. A spade will answer where 

 the space between forms is sufficiently wide to per- 

 mit of its use. The forms should be left in place 

 for at least a week. 



The foundation for the ram can be made of the 

 same mixture and if the work is properly done it 

 will mean a rigid, non-vibrating and everlasting 

 base. Time and moisture will only add to its 

 strength and durability. 



FEDERAL WATER USERS. 

 If you are satisfied with the fight The Irrigation 

 Age is making in your behalf, fill out and mail this 

 subscription blank, with one dollar for one year's 

 subscription : 



Irrigation Age, 30 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, 



111. 



Enclosed find $1.00 for subscription for one 

 year beginning April, 1914. 



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