No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 211 



of which are interesting both from a sanitary aod a geological stand- 

 point. The distance between the house and barn on this farm is a 

 trifle more than 200 feet. There is a well at the house and another in 

 the barn. Between the house and the barn is the beginning of a 

 little valley. At the head of this valley is the privy vault, and also 

 a large pigpen capable of accommodating thirty or forty pigs. Al- 

 though this place is located on very high ground, yet at the center of 

 this little valley, only a short distance from its head, ground water is 

 reached at the depth of three or four feet. As this ground water 

 moves down the valley, it gradually comes nearer and nearer to the 

 surface which it finally reaches, forming a spring. In spite of the 

 fact that the ground water of this little valley carries with it the 

 drainage from house, privy vault, pigpen, and barnyard, it has been 

 frequently suggested as the source of supply for house and barn, 

 and it was with some difficulty that the inmates of the house were 

 restrained from so using it. The slight depth at which ground water 

 is here reached indicates that the area drained is quite limited and 

 that an impervious rock lies near the surface. The water furnished 

 by the well at the honse is exceedingly hard while that from the 

 barn well is soft. These two wells and the spring although located 

 within less than 100 yards from one another nevertheless receive 

 their water supply from three different sources. In case of the 

 spring it seems possible to trace the course of the water from the 

 clouds until it issues from the earth, but in case of the wells it is 

 difficult to account for the difference in the character of water. 



This pollution of country wells is not only an abomination from an 

 aesthetic and sanitary standpoint but it is also an extravagant waste 

 when viewed from a financial standpoint. The actual money value 

 for fertilizing purposes of the barnyard and household wastes should 

 serve as a sufficient incentive to abolish all danger of contaminating 

 the well water. If a shallow water tight depression were provided 

 for barnyard manure and stable runnings, and the dry earth closet 

 adopted for household use, the existing sanitary evil would not only 

 be abolished but their entire manurial value would be saved. These 

 substances together with the wood ashes and the refuse of the 

 kitchen should all find their place as plant foods for coming crops. 



