324 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



determined by the nature and composition of tlie rocks over 

 which they flow, and the soil or earth through which they 

 filter. They may be tasteless, odorless, and colorless, and 

 yet be so highly charged with carbonates of lime and mag- 

 nesia, and other saline compounds, as to be unfit for domestic 

 purposes. 



In Massachusetts the underlying rocks are granitic, and 

 the minerals, quartz, mica, felspar and iron. 



The springs are generally pure, cool, and healthful, except 

 in some localities where iron is found, where they may be so 

 highly charged with the iron salts, the carbonates, sulphates, 

 or sulphurets, as to be hard, brackish, and unfit for use. 



An inspection of the rocks in the locality, and the deposits 

 on the ground over whicli they flow, is usually sufficient to 

 indicate their nature. Witli us, water from a pure, clear, 

 cool spring, having a steady, abundant flow, both in summer 

 and winter, is highly prized for domestic and farm purposes. 



From time immemorial, all races of men, even nomadic 

 tribes, have obtained their water-supply chiefly from the 

 earth by digging a well. The advice of a dying Arab chief- 

 tain to his son, who asked what he should do to bless his 

 tribe, was, "Dig a well." 



In that land of arid plains and sandy deserts, the old 

 patriarch of a restless, wandering Arab tribe understood the 

 value, comfort, and blessing of a good well of water. No 

 such admonition is needed in our times, when almost every 

 house outside of cities has its well, from which domestic 

 wants are supplied. 



To us as a people the Scripture of ancient times may be 

 applied with truth : " For the Lord thy God bringeth thee 

 into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains 

 and depths that spring out of valleys and hills. ... I wi,ll 

 open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the 

 valleys : I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the 

 dry land springs of water." 



After digging a well, " Then Israel sang this song. Spring 

 up, O well; sing ye unto it: the princes digged the well, 

 the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the 

 law-giver, with their staves." 



Water in the earth is supplied from rain-fall, which is 

 modified in its quality by the soluble materials and gases 



