DRY-FARMING CONGRESS, WICHITA, 1914 



155 



with more than an abundance of fruit and vegetables for home use. The 

 materials for the construction of a concrete reservoir of the size above 

 described would cost perhaps $75 to $100. The labor necessary for con- 

 struction could be done by the farmer. Such a reservoir would be especially 

 suitable for the dry-land farmer located in regions where the depth to 

 water was 150 feet or less, and where the ordinary 10-foot back-geared 

 windmill is used for pumping, the reservoir could be filled at intervals of 

 six to ten days. 



In regions where the depth to water is in excess of 150 feet the reser- 

 voir should be accordingly smaller and of course the area irrigated would 

 be correspondingly less. A concrete reservoir 15 feet wide by 20 feet long by 

 6 feet deep holds one-half acre-inch of water, and the cost of materials 

 for construction under average conditions would be approximately $50 to 

 $60. An area varying from one-sixth to one-fourth of an acre could be 

 irrigated from a reservoir of this size and with a 10-foot back-geared wind- 

 mill when lifting water approximately 200 feet this reservoir could be 

 filled once every ten or twelve days. 



It is remarkable how faithfully the windmill will serve the settlers if 

 given a fair opportunity. A Kansas farmer in one of the northwest 

 counties where the annual rainfall is less than 20 inches, was able, with a 

 small 8-foot back-geared windmill and a steel tank, to lift water from his 

 150-foot well in sufficient quantities to water 50 head of farm stock, afford 

 plenty of cold water for the home and milk house, and with the remaining 

 surplus was able to produce enough vegetables on a garden 75 feet by 100 

 feet to supply the family of eight. Besides this more than $30 worth of 

 vegetables were sold in the local markets. Surely such a windmill is the 

 farmer's friend! 



Another instance may be cited of the utility of the windmill in build- 

 ing up a comfortable home. In one of the central-western Kansas counties 

 where the depth to water is about 80 feet, an ordinary 10-foot direct-stroke 

 windmill on a low tower operates a three-way force pump to furnish water 

 for a complete and modern plumbing system in the 7-room home. Besides 

 by a proper arrangement of valves the cool underflow water may be forced 

 into a closed concrete tank or iceless refrigerator. This tank, a paradise 

 of coolness, offers storage room for all the vegetables and foods which 

 ordinarily are kept in the family refrigerator. Moreover, the water used 

 in this manner is not wasted. The overflow pipes lead to a system of 

 irrigation ditches which are so arranged as to water a bluegrass lawn, 

 moisten the roots of the magnificent 6-year old shade trees, and also to 

 irrigate a small but well-tended garden tract. This windmill water system 

 has been in operation seven years, and the cost for operation and main- 

 tenance has been practically nothing. 



It seems logical that every dry-farmer should consider a .windmill a 

 part of the farm equipment, not alone as a convenient method of watering 

 his livestock, but more particularly to |insure the necessary home comforts 

 for his wife and family. A few hardy trees, a small, well-kept lawn and 

 a good garden will make dry-land homes attractive. If the windmill which 



