ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. PLATE I. Home-made wind engine, as used on the Great Plains.. 15 30 32 34 36 38 V. Midstream wheel driving a bucket pump.. VI. Noria, or water wheel, lifting filled buckets... VIII. Centrifugal pump driven by threshing engine.. FIG. 1. Raising water from well in India by paecottah.. 5. Bullocks lifting water by bag, or mot. 6. Persian wheel driven by bullocks.. 7. Modern adaptation of Persian wheel.. 8. Double zigzag balance... 9. Old type of windmill, mounted on central column. 10. Early form of head of tower windmill.. 11. Undershot water wheel.. 12. Overshot water wheel.. 13. Turbine wheel driving centrifugal pump. 14. Pelton water wheel.... 15. Wheel for lifting water on Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.. 16. Hydraulic ramming engine..... 17. General view and detail of siphon elevator.. 40 50 54 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 31 32 37 38 40 41 42 44 53 7 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, July 9, 1896. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a paper entitled "Pumping water for irrigation," by Herbert M. Wilson, geographer, and to recommend that it be published as the first number of the series of papers "in relation to the gauging of streams and to the methods of utilizing the water resources," whose printing was authorized in the act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1897, approved June 11, 1896. Very respectfully, Hon. CHARLES D. WALCOTT, F. H. NEWELL, Hydrographer in Charge. Director United States Geological Survey. 9 PREFACE. This paper by Mr. Wilson is the first of a proposed series of publications relating to water supply and irrigation. The object in view in undertaking a new series is to afford an opportunity for prompt publi. cation of short reports, generally popular in character, relating to the water resources and the methods of utilizing these, with especial ref erence to the employment of water in agriculture. To reply to questions arising in various parts of the country regarding the progress of the investigation of the water resources and the facts relating to the available supply of water for irrigation, power, or domestic use, it is necessary to have pamphlets which can be sent out freely, and which, in order to answer the particular needs of individuals or communities, will not be too general in character. The series of bulletins issued by the Survey would serve as such means of communication were it not for the fact that by law these must be sold, and thus can not be used for official purposes or for placing the information acquired by investigation at once in the hands of the persons seeking to know the facts. By the law authorizing this new series it is possible for the Survey to distribute these papers to correspondents and to the numerous volunteer assistants who at one time or another have kindly aided by replying to letters of inquiry or schedules asking for specific data. Without such opportunities for distribution of small publications the officers of the Survey are placed in an embarrassing position, from the fact that they are compelled to ask favors in the way of statements and data of various kinds and are yet unable in general to more than thank the persons who have freely given their time to the preparation of letters and the filling out of blanks. Even when these persons have asked for a copy of the publication embodying the information which they have furnished, it has not been possible for a bulletin to be sent unless paid for by some member of the Survey. Arrangements have been made for following this paper with others at short intervals treating of various subjects relating to the hydrography of the country and to details such as storing, pumping, and other processes of utilizing the waters. The following topics will probably be covered during the year: Measurements of Western streams; measurements of Eastern rivers; Northeastern water power; Southeastern water power; water supply of portions of Indiana and Ohio; artesian conditions of eastern Nebraska; underground water supply of |