The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1907-01-31
Oenus anu ei3OwS, IrlcJlon is Increds-
ID, but in this case the supply is less

ID, but in this case the supply is less
ened and the system made shorter
Grade also is influential Running
down hill tends to increase the head
and also the length of the system.
Running up hill tends to an opposite
effect.
With view to ascertaining, under
ordinary conditions and with practi-
cable apparatus, the efficiency for ir-
rigating purposes of pipe line with
orifices, the following experiments
were conducted: :. A line of three
fourths inch galvanized pipe was
placed about three feet above ground
on trestles, and made perfectly level
One end was connected by means of
a one-inch pipe to $4,000 gallon
tank of water giving from 16 to 20
feet of head to the system. Stand
pipes were provided at each end of
the line in which the head of water
could be measured. The lengths of
pipe, which average 1863 feet, were
connected by couplings with orifices
bored perpendicularly through their
sides. The orifices were directed side
ways and slightly down, and water
being turned on, each discharge was
caught, measured and calculated to
gallons per hour. Four sizes of holes
were used, and in each case the sys-
tenn was worked to it's full capacity,
from 20 to 3.5 inch head, only, re-
naming at the outer end of the sys-
tenn.
During the three years the writer
has used this system for irrigating
his own trees many practical points
have suggested themselves.
The facilities employed are well
in which the water stands at 80 feet
depth; a Ska inch pump cylinder OPP
Grated by 12-foot geared windmill
of a type adapted to the light winds
of the region; a 5,OO0-gallon storage
tank on a stand Is feet high; and
perforated pipe lines laid along the
lines OF trees TO be watered These
pipe lines are connected both with
the storage tank and directly, al the
surface of the ground, with the col
umn delivering water from the pump
at the surface of the ground does
away with the extra lift Of about 25
feet to the top of the tank, and, espe-
cially in time Of light winds, increas-
es the amount of water delivered at
the surface to the irrigating pipe
lines.
These lines are of three-fourths inch
] NrI1 IL I,:x y
bends as possible, up and down hill with
the grade, along the lines of trees
to be irrigated, and at a distance of
one to two feet from them. Each
branch of the system is controlled by
a valve next the supply. Opposite
each tree a bored coupling is placed
in the line, which is fitted according
ly The orifice used is the smallest
practicable size, which is 1872 of an
inch. With little practice, using a
wise, a brace, and ordinary twist
| drills, anyone can make the borings.
This work may be reduced more than
half by filing notch midway and
| crosswise Of the coupling, with
three-cornered file, and boring in the
bottom of the notch The completed
pipe line. with bored couplings, is
bored two or three inches below the
surface for protection, being exposed
in the shallow irrigating basins
around the trees. If the line is deep
ly buried in the soil the orifices can
not be cleaned and are liable to be
choked by roots. For convenience
of access the orifices are laid to dis
charge horizontally, toward the trees.
For flushing the line a removable plug
completes each branch of the system,
making it possible to remove rust,
moss, or other distractions getting
into the water supply and choking the
holes
When it is desired to close an orr
fee in order to increase the discharge
farther along the line, an ordinary
round wooden toothpick is inserted,
this device being as effective and con-
venientz as an expensive stop cock.
To equalize and strengthen the sys-
tenn, partial distractions may be in
troduced at the points OF greatest
| discharge.
Thus arranged, when it is desired
TO irrigate row of trees. the valve
is turned at the head of the line, the
water is slowly delivered, withoys
waste, where wanted, and after ons