An adventure in applied science - IRRI books - International Rice ...

An international institute for rice research 39The administrationbuilding (nowChandler Hall) nearingcompletion inDecember 1961.Wortman and I had ordered a D-4 Caterpillar crawler-type tractor with abulldozer blade, an Eversman land leveler, a heavy disc plow, and severalinternational Harvester wheel-type tractors with diesel engines. Delivery ofthis equipment started just before Johnson’s arrival and was completed amonth or so later. Federico Ramos (whose professional background is describedin the next chapter) had been hired as assistant field superintendentand reported for work on 1 October 1960.Johnson’s design for the experimental field included roads and an undergroundirrigation system along with the necessary drainage ditches. UnderRamos’ supervision, the area was divided into many paddies separated bypermanent dikes or bunds. Any part of the field could be irrigated or drainedat any time. Although a National Irrigation Service canal passed through thearea, IRRI decided to have its own water sources to avoid the accusation ofdepriving farmers of water during the dry season. Two of the four deep wellsthat were drilled — Los Baños is a thermal spring region — yielded hot water,and a storage area was built where the water could be cooled before beingreleased onto the research plots.Although the total area of the experimental field was 80 ha, a considerablepart of it was taken up with roads, ditches, bunds, and natural creeks. Thus, the