Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1880 [PAGE 63]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

61

W A T E R FOR STOCK.

BY

E, L.

LAWBENCE,

Head Farmer.

[On many farms in Illinois, to get the adequate supply of water for stock in convenient places is a problem of much interest. Where running brooks, not liable to dry up in summer, exist, these, in part, solve the question, but only in part, because they are not always where wanted. Dependence is therefore more or less placed upon wells. To save great labor in hand pumping, windmills are erected at much expense, notwithstanding their liability to be injured or destroyed by storms. Water being required for pasture lots on the farm of the Industrial University, the attempt was made to supply it from wells, located high enough above low portions of the lots to permit the use of a long siphon, by which the water should run up and out of the well in a steady stream to the point required. Aside from the collection of air in the tubing, there is no probability of this getting out of order as is the case with the windmill; there is no machinery to wear out and there is no cessation of action. The first expense, of course, depends upon the depth of the well, and the distance the water is to be carried. In many cases, however, this is much less than the original cost of the windmill. The two trials made have proved eminently successful. The account of these follows.] T. J. B. With the view of obtaining water by means of the siphon, for stock supply, the following experiments were made: First, in July, 1878, under the following conditions: Well 9 feet deep to bottom, depth of water from 2 to 4^ feet, size of pipe used, ^ inch. Distance from well to tank, 700 feet. Pipe laid kA\ feet below the surface. Highest point where pipe is laid, above bottom of well, 9 feet. An excavation of 2 1-2 feet was made for place to set the tank, and one side planked over, with tile laid underneath connecting with a previously laid drain, 100 feet further down the slope, with a pipe connecting with the pipe to carry off the overflow from the tank. The cost of this I give as follows:

T a n k h o l d i n g 12 b a r r e l s 700 feet % i n c h g a s pipe @ 3c D i g g i n g a n d filling 700 feet of d i t c h . . . E x c a v a t i n g for t a n k , fitting pipe; e t c . Total.... $9 75 21 00 9 00 15 00 |$54 75

To remove the air from the pipe a common cistern pump, costing $3.00 was used. The result of this may be briefly stated. Whenever there is 4 feet or over of water in the well, the flow is