482 Cheap and eafy Method of ohtiinlng 



The ground where one of thefe fountains or wells is intended to be made, is perforated 

 with the borer} and it depends upon circumftances, whether the refult fliall be a well or a 

 fountain, that is to fay, upon the greater or lefs elevation of the refervoir from which the 

 fluid is fupplied. 



In the perforation in the ground is placed a wooden pipe, which is driven down with a 

 mallet, after which the boring is again continued, in order that the pipe may be driven ftill 

 lower. By means of the borer, the ftrata of gravel, ftoncs, and even rocks, if prcfent,- 

 are perforated. In proportion as the cavity of the inftrument becomes loaded, it is drawn 

 out and emptied, and in time, (for this is not a very fpeedy operation) by the addition 

 of new portions of wooden pipe, the boring is carried to great depths, and water is at laft 

 obtained, unlefs the labour fhall have proved to be in vain j a thing which fometimes, 

 though very feldom, happens. 



If the refervoir, or vertical head of the water obtained, (hould prove higher in its level 

 than the furface of the ground, the water fprings up, and the refult is not a well, but a 

 fountain. C. Dufour has thus obtained one at Courtalin, which affords water in fufficient 

 abundance to fupply the paper manufaftory of C. C. Reveillon and La Garde. 



If on the contrary the level be lower, the water cannot rife above fome elevation beneath 

 the upper orifice of the cylinder. It is then an artefian well. 



A fountain or fpouting fpring may be hoped for when the boring is performed on the 

 fide of an hill, or in a diftri£l environed by mountains or hills ; but in the plains at a great 

 diftance from thefe natural refervoirs, it is fcarcely to be expedled that this operation will 

 afford more than a well. 



In thofe cafes where no more than a metre (yard) or two is wanting to give the water 

 that elevation which would produce a fountain fpring, an excavation or bafon is made to 

 the proper depth round the pipe, which being fawed off affords ajet of water, and fills the 

 bafon, whence it may be drawn off by a bucket, or pump. 



The artefian wells are preferable in every refpedl to our wells. They are lefs expenfive, 

 and the fupply of water is more certain and abundant. In faft, in the common conftruc- 

 tion of our wells, when the workmen have arrived at the water, and the fprings gain upon 

 them, it becomes neceffary to fix the windlafs, and too frequently a well is made which 

 fupplies but a moderate quantity of water, and is dry in fummer. 



In this cafe there is no remedy but to ufe the artefian procefs ; that is to fay, in order 

 to recover the water in thefe dry wells, it is neceffary to perforate the bottom, infert a 

 cylindrical pipe, and proceed to feek for water at a greater depth. 



This method of adding to the depth of wells already in exiflence, and affording a fcanty 

 fupply of water, is due to an inhabitant of Thuringia. The occonomical fociety of 

 Leipfic in its Colle£tion of Memoirs (Semeftre St. Michel 1785) has publifhed this procefs. 

 One of its members, who had a well which had become dry, applied the artefian procefs 

 with great fuccefs. The author fpeaks of this method as capable of fpeedily affording a 

 large quantity of water, as of great utility in a camp or fortrefs ; and when the waters near 



the 



