Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-02-17

cooled with an average consumption
of 100 kw-hrs. per month.
The dairymen of a progressive
community near Annapolis recently
Joined the Maryland State Dairy
mems Association. Two problems
confronted these farmers, that of
making their buildings and equip
ment conform to the sanitary re-
quirements of the Baltimore market,
and that of cooling their milk
properly. The second is proving
much the more difficult problem.
Every dairyman in this community
is potential user of electricity if
it were available.
Farm Water Supply.
The Importance of an ample sup
ply of fresh water, available in
stantly at faucets in the house and
barns, cannot be overstated. Elec-
tricity makes this possible, and this
is one of the first conveniences
usually installed by the farmer after
his connection with power line.
The average current used per month
by the water system pump will run
from Is to rs hw-hrs.
Closely related to the farm water
system is the problem of fire pro-
lection. Tests in Alabama have
shown that 500-gal. storage tank
and a pump operated by two
horse electric motor gave a good
degree of protection.
Miscellaneous.
Only passing mention can be made
of other important farm uses of
electricity. The poultryman needs
it for incubation, for broo ding, and
for lights to stimulate winter egg
production. Electric ventilation sys-
TENS for barns are being developed,
and show great promise of success.
Practically every farmer owns a
radio receiver and is a prospect for
the purchase of battery charger
where current is available. The list
might be extended indefinitely, but
enough has been indicated to show
the vast potential market for cleo
tricity which our farms afford.
Adjustment to Peak of Load.
We are told that the peak of the
load of most power companies is
during the morning and evening
hours when many lights are in use.
Demands for current at other hours
are highly desirable from the stand
point of the electric company. Most
of the farm uses that have been
mentioned are in this class. Prof.
j. B. Davidson reports a clever ar
rangement by which a farmer may
use current when it is least in de-
mand and therefore can be furnished
at lowest cost. A small feed grinder
operated by one-horsepower motor
was provided with a switch con-
trolled by a clock. The grain was
supplied from bin. The mill was
started after midnight and stopped
automatically when the job was
; done.
} Cost.
The biggest problem now in con-
nection with the extension of rural
electric service is the cost to the
farmer. If this business is to be de-
veloped as it seems to deserve, both
from the standpoint of producer and
consumer, it may be necessary to
take a big generous view of the
matter. Owen D. Young, Chairman
of the Board of Directors of the
General Electric Company, says:
81 have already said elsewhere to
the power companies that having in
their own interest extended their
great power transmission lines
through rural communities in order
to connect one city with another,
they have taken on an obligation to
serve the rural population of the
area in which they operate. This
does not mean that they can run
service to the last farm or perhaps
even to the last village in that dis
trict, but it does mean that the
power companies must view their
obligation as having both an eco
nomic and social aspect. The power
company cannot refuse country lines
because they are Improbable. They
cannot ride the economic hobby to
the point where electrical service is
not generally available in the COM
munity. Nor, on the other hand,
can they ride the social hobby, as
some visionary persons urge, to the
point of financial bankruptcy. Wise
human judgment must be exercised
in the service of the constituency of
the power company. Rates so far as
possible should be simplified. The
slide rule is not as unerrinng as the
engineer sometimes thinks. The
power company cannot use it as the
sole guide to the social needs of a
. community in which human under
standing and human sympathies
must be mingled with economics in
order to get a practical result. The
power companies should recognize
this kind of obligation to the farmer
should study his needs, and within
) every reasonable economic limita.
! ton supply his service. The only
: economic limitation is that the
t power companies should be permit.
ted to secure earnings from the com.
r munity as a whole which will yielC
: fair return on the investment Of
r the power company as a whole.
: Therefore rates should, in my judg.
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