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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1913)
r ii'i'l' . v ' V ,.. ,1X018ffiX mp-iwuHnji -j. mnFOKn arm trtbttkr. ot-dfortx onrccioN. avrdnri)av. .tani-ahy t. mm. . M. iKt M. Jtit Mfc ff. a, 4- .tt. t. J yt J,. , . J J. . J- J. J J. . - - J -fl . - - Hr HHHiAI if WWfWW -"- l - . V'M " " Irrigation by Electric ft. Ppwpr T ? ? T Y t ? T T ? ? V T ? ? Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y f M j Data Compiled by the California-Oregon Power Company Wa Wy iwi 4 B t T I f Y T V Y f Y Y st t Y Y Y Y Y Y Y v t 9J i 1 t Y Y Y I i I t Y Y Y Y Y Y Y I Owing to tho climatic uoiutilions. nn aYtificlnl means of npplyrnffttwater to growing crops is osstnliht tjo the' highest agricultural development in practically every section of the west. Under can-fid application irrigation has thus brought forth results on western lands unsurpass ed iu the world. Irrigation by pumping with electricity offers more advantages tlinii nny other system of irrigation It has been thorough ly tried and proveh successful in every in slahcc. In many district's where ditch wa ter is available pumping plants are being installed beeause of the convenience and ivliajnlity 'of electric irrigation. Wherever electric power 1s available for pumping the general prosperity of tho irrigators is high and crop failures are unknown. First cost Tor eaeh aero put lindor irri gation is, on most laud, cheaper than liny-, ing dileh rights Tho plant can be located to deliver water at the most favorable point, thus reducing in many instances cost of checklrig and ditching. Tho ex pense of sinking wells is not. great, while the pits and buildings required arc simple in construction.. The pumping and elec trical equipment is of the simplest and most reliable. Cost of operation will compare favor ably with any other method of pumping. Xo attendant is required. The water is delivered at the time it Is wanted, avoid ing long waits, as is sometimes necessary with ditch- irrigation. The quantity of water can easily be regulated by the irri gator. The typo of. pumping plant most gen erally installed is a centrifugal pump belted to an electric motor and set in a pit near tho water level. Centrifugal pumps are built in two styles, vertical and horizontal, each meeting certain condi tions. A good centrifugal pump will draw water as far as a plunger pump, or about 2 feet. However, it will operate with much less power when set near the water level. For this reason pits are usually dug with tho floor at or near the level or the water in tho well or stream, when the pump is not running. TABLE SHOWING SIZE AND CAPACITY AMOUNT OF WATER PUMPED Rlie of rump .Suction and DIscharKH. No. Acred will cover 1 In. deep Very liour. Gallon IKT ininutv. Number of i1Inr Indtfeii. 1 2 '2t. 3 ai 4 ft (I i 8 10 20 f)0 100. iro 225 .100 100 700 !)00 1200 1000 3000 1.78 ' -lift 1,0 13.4 35.7 & 80. 1Q7 143 2(18 .04 .1 o C .0 .0 1.5 o - 2.0 3.5 O.fl Other lifts in proportion. ., On account of friction losses in small sized pumps, it- is not advisable to uso smaller than a Olio Horse Power Motor in the smuller installations even if the amount of power should figpro less than one horse po'wcr. In any event the nearest couuiiierqia) size, of motor is tho one to use. For example: A four-ineh pump, ten fool, lift, should bo ten times .2 or 2 horso power; a three inch pump, thirty foot lifti.VJMibl lJu thirty times 10 or 4.8 horso power 5 horse power would bo jiearest qonuncri'iid swe, The base or bedplate of tho puuip and motor should be hold firmly to the floor by holts imbedded in tho concrete or tim ber foundation. In digging the pit enough room should he allowed to permit easy ac cess fo every part or the pump and motor. A substantial stairway or ladder should, lend down iu the pit from the ground level. An clectrii light should be hung in the pit and low enough to light every part of the pump nnd.uiotni. A beam carried liy studding in the house frame, should bo over tltt pit. This should be strong enough, and carried by studding equally strong, that a pulley and rope may be used for lifting out pipe, valves and parts of the pump that may need inspection anil repairs. The pump is primed by connecting' a small pitcher or suction pump to the top of the pump ease or suuetinu elbow. Its connection and method or opor.it inn de pends on the use (if a Toot cheek vnlve for keeping tho pump full of water whon not running. A centrifugal pump consists of a rap idly revolving runner or wheel turning inside n casing. Tho water is led into the vanes, corresponding to the spokes, at the huh and is thrown outward by centrifugal force. The runner has no rim or tire and tho water is thrown into the collection chamber cast in the casting, and surround ing tho runner. From here it is carried iu suitable piping to the point of use. It is .self-evident that the faster the runner revolves, the greater the force with which the water leaves the pump. Likewise, tho smoother tho sides of the water passages and tho fewer turns made in passing through the pump, the less power will be taken up by friction. Proper sizes of runner hnd casing and correct shape of the vanes have every thing to do with tho efficiency or amount of power required. The best way to be sure of getting an efficient pump is to buy of n reputable firm which has had long experience in building pumping machin ery. Their designers are, or should be, familiar with the proper relation of run ner and casing that givis tho best results'. Four general methods of irrigating' are in use. For sowed grains, meadows anil OP CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS AND IN FOUR MONTHS ,vr w i i No. Aero 1'ump will covor 1! In. runnlnu- 1 8r lr itay for ISO dffyu. Home Tower rmrml for I PL lire. Hbrnfl vawfT rtqutr-il for -PI. Ilfl. 9.0 2G 53 7D 117 1S 210 370- lW - 021 ( 850 1580 .012 .020 .05 .070 .114 .10 .2 . .31 .100 Wot, I o 3 4 5 1 10 15 25 30 -10 75 1,52 "".. $WfV "! pastures, water is supplied by flooding, water flowing from.one ditch to the next. Laud usually needs to lie corofully gfruted iT it is to he irrigatud by flooding. ' For crops planted iu rows anil for orch ards irrigation by furrows is neutrally preferred. Instead of either of tho above methods, tin! ground is sometimes hiid out In frds which are banked around the sides and flhndod. A fourth method, which has for its Vbjeet, the redut'tioii of evaporation losses, is by underground pipes of open seam, perforated or tile construction. Water escapes to the ground from the openings iu the pipes. Sub-irrigation moot with (ho follow ing difficulties: Hoss of water downward through loose gravelly sob-soils. Failure of water to penetrate lateral ly for any distance through the, majority of soils. Stoppage of openings by masses of stones, rootlets, etc. It is advisable to construct reservoirs whenever possible as a small pump can be used to fill the reservoir and the tract to be irrigated flooded in a short time. A reservoir 101 feet square and four foot deep will hold enough water to rover 12 acres 'one inch deep. 'Another argument for using a reservoir is thnt the, water U raised in temperature and warm water is better for growing crops than cold water direct from a well or stream. Distributing ditches or laterals with raised banks are usually placed about 10 or 20 rods apart, distance varying with the soil and the slope and being such that water will flow from one to another with out too great a variation in the amount or water taken up by the two sides of thi tract. In laterals a Tall of about one inch to the 100 feet is good practice. For rapid irrigation the ditches should at all times be capable of holding water to at least four inches above Hip llvol oT I It. field.. Truck Gardening IScforc setting plants the ground should be thoroughly wet. 'It is of id vantage to irrigate immediately after ap plying chemical fertilizers rich iu nitro- gen, as an abundance of water romoves danger of injury to tho plants from tho concentrated fertilizer, also dissolving and distributing the plant food. It would often be impossible to s-jt plants within a week or more of the de sired time if it were necessary to wait for rain to moisten the ground. Furthermore not only at the time of transplanting, but also during the period of growth crops aro rotarded and withered by lack of rain. In intensive gardening, where prices are regulated by the time when crops should bo placed on the market, time saved by application of water when it is uiuided will show handsome profits :or the gardener who has provided nn effi cient and dependable irrigation system. nFrpni the above it will be seen that , the' motive power for irrigation pumping HluhiM be dependable and available ex actly when wanted. The apparatus should alko''rcqiiiro a minimum amount of ') pair' and attention while operating, for irrigation is usually done at u time when the gardener can least afford to detail a man to attend to the pumps. Krom tlit'.n considerations an cluotrio motor is lluj Idi'al po(ver. The California Oregon Power eompauv supplying eurivnt to tho territory between firants Pass and Ashland, is making "spec ial Inducements to users of electric power for irrigation. A rate of 125 per horse power for the irrigation season not' to exceed six months is being offered, which is only 5!l mills per hour for 42)10 hours and is a cheaper rate por hours uso than any other form or power offbrinl.' A number of pumping plants are being installed, especially In tho territory be tween (Sold Hill and (.Smuts Pass, where an unlimited supply of water can ho pumped from Nogue llivcr. The com puny has supplied the follow ing instructions for Installing pumps and tobies of amount of water pumped t Important Requirements to bo Compiled With When Installing and Starling Centrifugal Pumps. Place your pump on a proper founda tion, line it up thoroughly so that the shaft runs perfectly free without binding. Do not support the suction piping and dis charge piping on the pump alone as it is liable to spring the base and other parts of the pump, thereby causing binding and unsuccessful operation. Make the distance between the driving pullby and flic center of the pump suffi cient so that It may lint be necessary to tighten the belt to excess. Fifteen feet belt centers ure rather little, 25 feet belt centers are about ideal and will allow full development of rated power of motor ami reduce friction to a minimum. If short holt centers must he used owing to lack of space increase the width of belt and weight of belt to minimize ab normal friction as much as possible, in crease width of pulleys to lake the wider and heavier bell, avoid short belt centers iT possible. v Iu pauking the stuffing box who Stan dard I lump Packing thoroughly soaked in oil and iu winding it around thovshnft place it so that when the pump shaft re volves the packing will unwind, or iu oth or words, tin opposite direction that shaft revolves, shake out the hemp packing and re-braid softly and firmly, but not loo firm before packing. Under all conditions always place a ohook-vrtlvo on discharge end of pump. The valve not only excludes air hut pro tccts the pump shell from water hammer, i. c, water rushing back in case of sud den stoppage which may occur, or when INFORMATION CARD. Any one desiring estimalu qf (josU o,n proposed irrigation plant will receive prompt reply by filling out tho following form mid mailing to California Oregon Power Company, Mcdl'ord, Oregon. ,. " .i . - , i Number of acres desired to irrigate , , , Total lift in tcct froln water level of well irrigate , Number of feel of pipe required Number of led of ditch or flume required '. . , " i Water supply (well or stream) and naiueof slrcnni Signed '...'..'. P. O. Address ,,",",; Location Seel ion , . , , , Township , Ilaugo . , i , ) ..,,... 'slintltiig down when through, operating, the valve will thko the blow thus protect ing the point) ""I ''" lfliiino"tu' I ho form oT cracking, otherwise life opWnttu' must abide by lift own acohleut. Intake and discharge pipes should be of niiiplc she and have as JVw cjbows as possible. Kctrn elbows ninlcV Tricllnii wliieh may in terfero seriously wllh Ihe efficiency or the pump. , Ninety-hind times out of a hundred whPU a pump does nn! raise water, it is liecmprt It fo not M)p(tfly pilmcd. op there is a leak in the suction pipe in joints or through the packing. A pump, In order 'to prime, must be completely filled with water iu all parts, meaning for multiple stage pumps that all the stngot should he emptiud of air, cocks or valves lntH pin vtdnd for suiili purposes. , Never run your pump dry as lids will invariably luuiw some of tho closer fits to seizt. As' said before, he sure that yohr pump is thoroughly primed, that the air has been exhausted from all parts of the same otherwise it will not give tho full capacity and is liable lo cause balancing troubles. It Is needless to say thai the hearings must he provided with ol or grease, as the case may he. If an oil cup is emptied at too fast a rate, due to vacuum, adjust 'the samo by reducing the area through which the oil must pass. This refers 'also to grease cups. . It goes without saying that pumps must oprr:j to at the proper speed Tor the head inidcr which they aro to pump. Speed tables iu manufacturers' catalogues will give tho necessary information and tlnwc catalogues give considerable additional in formation on the operation or pumps which is of importance. In nearly all cases belted units arc1 to be recommended, as iu ease a change of spuud is desired it is only a question of purchas ing a new pulley, which can be done at a small expense. On all high points of pipe lines auto, matic air relief valvals with saddle flange to take the valvflM should bo provldud to allow the free escape of air while pipe h filling and also io present the formation of Yneoinn by admitting air when water is drawn from the pipe. When filling pipe line tho valves will allow the natural free dom of flow oT witter and protect shull of pump from an extreme heavy back pres sure which otherwise would occur, and liable to crack the shell of pump espec ially iu the case Of long pipe Hues. Tim valves are positive and entirely automatic, and can bo bought In open market. , or stream lo highest point of land lo , , Y Y Y X Y Y Y Y Y Y Y t Y X Y Y Y X Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y T Y Y Y T Y Y Y Y Y Y f Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y T Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 4rX"X"KXK $ $ '? 'Ob- -v i vl?"k . , A
