202 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2 GEORGE V... A. 1912 



use for domestic purposes of a water charged with organic matter of an excretal 

 origin and possibly, therefore, we need not here repeat in detail the dangers of a 

 polluted supply. But we feel compelled to add that the more experience we gain the 

 more we are assured that these wells do not long escape contamination. For a few 

 years after the homestead is established the water may remain good, but sooner or 

 later, according to the nature of the soil and other conditions, the ground becomes 

 unable to perform its useful work of filtration and purification, allowing the water 

 percolating 'through it to carry its load of manurial matter to the well. It seems 

 almost inevitable that the shallow, unprotected well, situated as we have indicated, 

 must become polluted. Some protection is assured by lining the well, say to a depth 

 of 10 feet or so, with concrete or puddled clay several inches thick and protecting the 

 mouth of the well against the entrance of surface water, frogs, etc., but it does not 

 altogether remove the objection to shallow wells placed in proximity to sources of 

 contamination. 



The problem of finding an ample supply of pure, wholesome water may be in 

 certain parts of the three Northwestern provinces a difficult one, and recourse must 

 frequently be had to distillation to obtain water free from alkaline or saline matter 

 and fit for drinking purposes. But in British Columbia, Ontario and eastern Canada 

 generally, this difficulty does not exist, and on the majority of farms pure water of 

 excellent quality may be obtained. This may. at times be a matter of some expense, 

 but it is money well spent, for there is nothing on the farm more valuable, looked at 

 from any standpoint, than a never-failing supply of pure wholesome water. Apart 

 from lakes, unpolluted streams and natural springs so situated that their waters must 

 of necessity be pure, the farmer must look, in the larger number of instances, to the 

 drilled, bored or driven well for his supply. By such means, he taps those .subterra- 

 nean reservoirs that yield water of the highest degree of organic purity and free from 

 disease-producing germs. This is the class of wells we advise. These deep-seated 

 waters are as a rule satisfactory in every respect, and we are glad to find them more 

 and more replacing the shallow, barn-yard well on the Canadian farm homestead. 



Our work in the examinations of waters from farms, cheese factories and 

 creameries has been continued uninterruptedly from the establishment of the Experi- 

 mental Farms. As a result, we have on record the analyses of several thousand well 

 >vaters. This work is, we believe, bearing good fruit, in the improvement of supplies 

 and in directing attention to the matter of the proper location of the well and its 

 subsequent protection from contamination. Every year sees an increased correspon- 

 dence from all parts of the Dominion on this important, indeed, vital subject, and the 

 assistance we have been able to give, by advice and analysis, has, we feel, been of 

 considerable value towards the establishment and maintenance of pure water supplies 

 for the rural home. As far as may be possible or practicable, we are pleased to advise 

 farmers in this matter, and those desirous of an analysis of their supply are asked to 

 write to the Chemical Division, Experimental Farm, Ottawa, for a copy of the direc- 

 tions to be followed in the collection and shipment of the sample. 



During the year 289 samples were received, but of these only 130 were submitted 

 to a complete sanitary analysis. Of the remainder some were examined as to the 

 presence of alkali or an excessive saline content, while many had to be rejected for the 

 reason that in one particular or another the instructions had not been followed in the 

 collection of the sample. The table of ' samples received,' on page 163. indicates the 

 number sent from the several provinces. 



In the appended table, the analytical data of the 130 waters, together with a brief 

 pronouncement as to their quality, are given. We conclude that of these 43 were pure 

 and wholesome, 36 suspicious and probably dangerous, 33 seriously polluted and 18 

 saline. 



