240 KANSAS UNIVERSITY SCIENCE BULLETIN. 



From the analysis the following conclusions are drawn : 



1. The amount of total solids, which means the mineral 

 matter left on the evaporation of the water, is not largo, as 

 compared with some of the other streams of the state. The 

 Kaw river above Lawrence is often 760, as compared with 414 

 in the Neosho. The constituents of this mineral matter will be 

 considered later. 



2. The chlorin, which usually represents the amount of salt 

 in the water, is low in the Neosho, as in the drainage basin 

 there are no alkali plains or salt marshes. 



3. The free ammonia, which is regarded largely as an index 

 of the animal matter in the water, is not high in any sample. 

 It is, however, not as good in the sample taken from the pipes 

 as in the untreated river water. This would indicate that, on 

 account of the large amount of organic matter in the water, a 

 partial decomposition takes place in the pipes, under some con- 

 ditions, so that more free ammonia is generated. The sample 

 taken from the pipes was not as clear as that taken from the 

 river. 



4. The amount of albuminoid ammonia is large ; in fact, it is 

 too high for a good water. Here, also, the river water was bet- 

 ter than that in the pipes. It is probable that this varies with 

 the time allowed for settling and the frequency with which the 

 pipes are flushed out. This part of the analysis shows that 

 the amount of organic matter, particularly that of vegetable 

 origin, is too great. Much of this could be removed by treat- 

 ment with a coagulant and subsequent filtration, as in the case 

 of the Oswego water, which is noticed elsewhere, and which is 

 also taken from the Neosho river. 



5. The amount of nitrogen as nitrates is not excessive, and 

 represents the results of oxidation of organic matter in the soil 

 and in the flowing stream. 



From all the data obtained, then, it is evident that the water- 

 supply is not very satisfactory, even at this stage of the river. 

 A more definite opinion of the water can be given when its 

 composition at the lowest stage and at the flood stage also is 

 known. 



The last town in the state having a public water-supply from 

 the Neosho river is Oswego, the county-seat of Labette county. 

 The water plant is owned by a private company, and is situ- 



