RAIN BY THE ACRE New Overhead Irrigation

Lake County Mail, Issue 38, 25 February 1948, Page 8

RAIN BY THE ACRE New Overhead Irrigation

A new system of overhead irrigation, whereby fine “ rain ” may be made to frill over an acre at a time, is to be demonstrated in New Zealand. One of the public demonstrations will beat Massey College on the morning of Monday, March 8. This system is stated to have an. economic interest, especially in this dry season, for occupiers of high-producing dairy lands as well as horticulturists. The equipment is operated by a selfcontained engine-driven unit which, located near the water supply, forces water along a canvas hose or piping to a sprayer which rotates to distribute the “ rain ” over an area varying with the size of the plant. The smallest type is stated to spread one-fifth of an inch of rain per hour over one-fifth of an acre, and the largest size can scatter half an inch per hour over two and a-half acres, one acre being covered without any change in position. The demonstration, commencing at 10 a.m. will be held in an open paddock at the rear of the college main buildings, and the pumping unit will be stationed near a 15,000 gallon water tank. Facilities for the demonstration are being made available by the college with a view to affording the public an opportunity of judging the plant’s performance and usefulness.