Cumition Birds on the Faiin. 291 



putting in water iu a more moderu house. But I was not discouraged. 

 I wrote for a number of catalogues and read one or two books on 

 plumbing, but I soon found that, after all, most that was needed was 

 care, thought and a reasonable amount of mechanical skill. So I went 

 to work. The result w^as that without ever having had a professional 

 plumber in the house, I installed a water system — with bath tub, 

 toilet and wash basin in the bath room ; sink in the kitchen, and wash- 

 basins with hot and cold water in bed rooms — that, after more than 

 a year's use, has given general satisfaction. I may say just here 

 that when the water was first turned on there was not a leak any- 

 \Yhere- Mine is the pressure tank system, the water being pumped 

 into the tank, which is 8 feet long and 42 inches in diameter. It 

 is easier to pump water than air. Then, it is much easier to get a 

 pump that will work satisfactorily with water. My tank is made 

 to withstand a pressure of 150 pounds to the inch, but a 40 pound 

 pressure will be found sufficient for all needs, sending the water with 

 force to all parts of the house. The tank is in a south basement where 

 there is little danger of freezing. It is always fortunate, as in the 

 case in my house, if the kitchen is also in the south part, so that the 

 tank and heater may be close together. It is a mistake to buy a 

 tank that is too small. I would recommend one holding 750 gallons 

 or more. I much prefer the pressure system with tank in cellar, rather 

 than the elevated system, which is subject to change in temperature. 

 With the tank in the cellar, the water is cooler in summer and warmer 

 in winter. It is not exposed to the sun, so there is no green scum 

 (Protococcus Viridus) to bother. 



My experience has convinced me that, under ordinary circum- 

 stances, the average farmer with some mechanical skill may do his 

 own plumbing, if not too complicated. Two pipe wrenches and a few 

 small tools are all that are required. 



I used about 300 feet of piping in my house. One-inch galvanized 

 piping costs, ordinarily, 6V2 cents per foot. Never put in less than 

 one-inch main pipe, and fi/i inch is better. A 750 gallon pressure 

 tank should cost about $80 wholesale, or, at retail about $100, delivered. 

 A hand pump, such as I used until I bought a little gasoline engine, 

 costs $6 or $7. A gasoline engine, if bought new, with pump will cost 

 from $50 to $60. One man by pumping fifteen minutes per day can 

 keep up enough water for a family of six people. AVith a small gaso- 

 line engine, a few minutes pumping twice a week will run the same 

 family. The final cost of a complete water system will depend en- 

 tirely upon the individual taste and pocketbook — say $200 for plain 

 fixtures up to $600 or more for something more pretentious. Just here 



