194 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



9-10 EDWARD VII., A. 1910 



It has been advised that wells danprerously near possible sources of pollution 

 should be lined say to a depth of 10 feet from the surface with puddled clay, or, still 

 better, cement, so that the water entering the well must first travel through a con- 

 siderable depth of soil. This undoubtedly would be a safeguard of considerable value, 

 but it is by no means absolute, for even if the water entering such wells were free 

 from disease-producing germs, it would still in all probability be loaded with the 

 products of the partial decomposition of excrementitious matter, which must certainly 

 be more or less injurious to health. 



The installation of a water system that will furnish an abundant and pure supply 

 on the farm homestead, is a matter that should receive more intelligent consideration 

 than it does at present. No very great outlay is required to establish such a system 

 in the majority of cases, and it would mean not only health for the farmer and his 

 family and thrift for his stock, but it would make possible a bathroom, the con- 

 venience of having fresh water always on hand for culinary and drinking purposes, 

 and the disposal of the household sewage by the septic tank system. 



We do not generally advise the household filter in cases of suspected water, as it 

 may readily become clogged and it is then useless or may indeed be a source of danger. 

 The most efficient filters are those containing animal charcoal, but even these require 

 cleaning from time to time to retain their purifying action. Our experience goes to 

 show that boiling for five minutes all the water required for drinking purposes is the 

 most effective means of destroying germ life, and it is this simple and inexpensive 

 method that we accordingly advocate when fear is entertained as to the purity of the 

 supply. If the boiled water is exposed to the air for a few hours it will lose its insi- 

 pidity and become palatable. 



Farmers desirous of having their supply analysed may apply to the Experimental 

 Farm, Ottawa, for the directions necessary to follow in collecting ^and shipping the 

 sample. 



