The record-union., 1895-09-10

while east the center the depth at which
water is reached somewhat increases. By
reason of this abundant subterranean
supply the farmer or fruit-grower of Sac
ramento County who wishes to use water
for irrigation of fruits. vegetables, ETC., in
dry seasons may do so without being de-
pendent upon irriEation-ditch companies,
and furnish himself with all needed sup
ply at far less coat.
For instance. a windmill. with two six
inch pumps attached with ten-foot beam.
will cost only about Sl00. This will be
ample to irrigate five acres OF land in
fruit, and is often made to answer for
eight acres. These who make use of this
method bore their wells from eighteen to
thirty feet in depth. Thus the distance
the water has TO be lifted is comparatively
SO slight that wind power ia fully suti-
cient and very economical.
If, however, it is desired to raise water
for irrigation or other purposes upon a
more extensive scale, it may be done
by steam power. Several parties have
already adopted this method, and the re-
suits have not only been entirely satis-
factory. bat show the inexhaustible sup
ply of this subterranean water flow. The
probability is that the pumping will soon
be done by electric power.
For instance, there are in the vicinity
OF sacramento several parties pumping
water by steam for irrigation. One COM
pany has on the high ridge in its nursery
grounds, just east of the city, No. GEN.
trifIoaI Dump with which II irr;oataS 100
acres Of nursery grounds, and has water
to spare. The well used is of eight-inch
bore, and 100 feet deep. An excavation
about twelve feet in diameter and eigh-
teen feet deep is made at the top, in which
the pump Is set 80 as to get it down to the
water level. The engine used is of four
teen-horse power, but ten-horse power
would be ample to do the work. The
entire cost of well and plant was about
$1,000. The cost of running it, for help
and fuel, is about 81 per day, and 1000
gallons of water are pumped per minute,
or over 100000 gallons IN twenty-tour
hours.
Nearly adjoining the above premises
are the orchards of II. G. Smith, which
are irrigated by steam rotary pump, the
works having been put in by the former
owners, c. w. Reed Il Co. The we'll at
these pumo-works is 10-inch, and 100
feet deep. 1t is placed at the point of
highest ground on the premises, and
water rises to within sixteen feet Of the
surface. An excavation l0Xl2 feet, and
Ii feet deep. was made to set the pump in,
at near water-level. The pump is run by
q ten-horse engine, and $4,000 gallons of
water are raisen per hour, without the
least show of exhaustion being made to
the supply. The entire cost of we'll ma
chinery, etc., was about $1,000, and Mr..
Reed states will furnish ample water to
irrigste 800 acres.
These cases show that every land
owner in the county who desires to irri-
gate trees, vines. or other growths, can
do 80 independent of any ditch company,
and at comparatively small cost per acre,
and this is being extensively done. The
plants of windmill and steam-pump are
numerous throughout the county, and ali
give most satisfactory. results. 1t will be
seen, therefore, that every acre of Sacra-
mento County can be easily irrigated,
either from the numerous rivers and
streams with which it abounds, or from
the subterranean supply.