Colonization works, not only have they been able to pay 32 per cent interest on the capital invested; but the Government, in addition to this, has made a net profit, according to recent figures, of no less than 3.04 per cent, or a clear annual profit of something like three and onehalf million dollars. The rate of profit has varied in India, from 23 per cent on the East Jumna Canal, to as low as 2.12

It is now proposed gradually to bring 100,000,000 acres of land under irrigation in the United States. Here then is a magnificent opportunity for settling these lands on the lines indicated, with multitudes of happy and prosperous home owners.

I trust that THE TECHNICAL WORLD may play a leading part in helping forward this greatly to be desired enterprise.

A UNIQUELY DECORATED AUTOMOBILE. decoration. It consisted of the head of an elk joined to the vehicle in such a way that it would appear as if the little girl standing on the seat were guiding the animal by the white ribbons attached to its horns. The design was arranged by Mr. A. C. Bennett, of Mankato, Minn., the owner of the carriage.

The other picture represents May Day festivities with automobiles in California. The vehicles are shown in what was called a "ribbon quadrille." One was placed in the center, and the other motors circled around it in such a way as gradually to wind the ribbon into a colored rope, the vehicles pausing when massed. around the center one. The evolutions required very skillful steering and con

THE RIBBON QUADRILLE.

miles, and an additional 600 gallons can be carried in the front part of the first wagon. As many tanks as desired can thus be added, but, as their weight detracts from the hauling power, it is considered advisable to replenish the water

B

Big Coast Freighter

ORN IN SAN FRANCISCO and christened the Arizonian, the largest merchant vessel on the Pacific coast has just issued from its cradle in the Union Iron Works dock, as the latest commercial product of the wedding of the Pacific coast to the islands of the Eastern seas. The Arizonian belongs to the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company, and is the youngest of that family of great freight steamers to which belong the Teras and the Alaskan. She will soon go into the Hawaiian trade and will make both Pacific and Atlantic ports.

The Arizonian has a gross tonnage of 8,671, and 5,621 tons net. Her carrying capacity is 11,000 tons. She is driven by quadruple-expansion engines with cylinders 21 2-5, 28, 38, and 60 inches' diameter respectively and a stroke of 30

without altering the fire box. An oilburning attachment is furnished when oil fuel is desired. To operate the train requires an engineer and fireman. When freighting in the mountains, however, a third man may be required to attend brakes when descending steep grades, and also to help load and unload the train. Engines of this type, but of smaller size, are used throughout California and the Pacific coast, in hauling logs, lumber, and other kinds of material, some of the large milling companies in this part of the country including in their equipment as many as five or six of them.

from two to three feet in width, at an average rate of 60 feet an hour; the contractors estimated that it performed the work of from 50 to 75 laborers.

As indicated in the accompanying illustration, the excavator is of what is

tion engine, which is also utilized in moving the machine from place to place when it is not transported by rail.

The engine is connected with the digging machine by a chain belt passing around the shaft of the excavating outfit.

World's Largest Searchlight

M

AN'S NEAREST APPROACH to producing the power of sunlight is a searchlight that has just been built by the Schuckert company of Nuremberg. This miniature mechanical sun will throw its rays eighty miles away, and thus would be visible clear across Lake Michigan. Such a distance of reflection, however, could not be obtained unless the light were elevated to a proper height, which at present is impossible. The builders say that it might shine farther than eighty miles, no thorough test of its actual powers having yet been made.

The light is of 316,000,000 candlepower and is the largest searchlight ever built. It is fitted with an iris shutter having a diameter of 6 feet 6 inches, which was adopted in order to make the

AUTOMATIC TRENCH DIGGER IN OPERATION.

known as the "chain" pattern, passing over sprockets fastened at each end of a beam shaft which can be raised or lowered at the will of the operator, and which acts as a guide in securing the required depth. As the material is cut away from the breast of the bank, it is raised by means of a steam gear which continually holds the excavating and raising mechanism in place, aided by the weight of the machine itself.

The digger is also moved automatically. A post is driven about 100 feet in front, to which is fastened a cable connecting with a drum or cylinder on the front of the digging machine. At each revolution of the excavating shaft, the cable is taken up by winding the drum. The power is supplied by a trac

WORLD'S LARGEST SEARCHLIGHT.

Throws a beam of light over eighty miles

projector light-tight at any moment desired, and which is operated in much the same way as an ordinary camera shutter.