October, '22] de ong: hard waters and sprays 341 



measured by means of a standard soap solution, the same method of 

 determination being used throughout so that the results would be com- 

 parable. The test is made by measuring out 50 cc. of the sample 

 water into a stoppered bottle and adding measured quantities of the 

 soap solution, with frequent agitations, until a lather is formed which 

 remains permanent for two minutes. Many of the samples were so 

 hard that to avoid using quantities of the standardized solution, only 

 10 cc. of the sample water was combined with 40 cc. of distilled water. 

 The soap solution should be added in small quantities, shaking vigor- 

 ously after each addition, until a permanent lather is secured over the 

 entire surface of the water while the bottle is lying on its side. The 

 number of cc. of soap solution thus used, multiplied by 50, (when 

 10 cc. of water were used) would give roughly the parts per million 

 of calciimi carbonate or equivalent salts. This process of calculation 

 is not entirely accurate but since comparative results are wanted and 

 not an exact analysis, it serves the purpose. If desired, a more accurate 

 estimate of the degree of hardness can be obtained by checking the 

 ntunber of cc. of soap solution used with the tables found in a standard 

 text book on water analyses.-^ In Table 1 is given a simimary of the 

 water analyses made, the colimm at the left indicates the degree of hard- 

 ness. The colimm of percentages, at the right, indicates the proportion 

 in which this degree of hardness was present in the total of all analyses 

 made. 



Table I. — Summary of Water Analyses 



Soap solution used Proportionate amounts 



re. 



4-5 



5-6 



6-7 



7-8 



8-9 



9-10 



10-plus 



Considering the index number, 6 and below as indicating soft waters, 

 this would mean that only 13 per cent of the total can be placed in 

 this class. If those of moderate degree of hardness, viz. 6-7, are in- 

 cluded, the total still falls below 50 per cent, leaving a remainder of 

 53.88 per cent of the waters classified as decidedly hard. Theorchard- 

 ists of this region find the hardness of the waters a real problem. 

 A few haul soft water from nearby locations, the majority attempt 



^ "Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Sewage," — published by 

 American PubHc Health Association, 2d edition (1912) p. 33. 



