WATER SUPPLY FOR THE FARM. 529 



Injurious Effects of Metallic Pipes. Water is frequently rendered impure and 

 unsafe for use by the metallic tubes through which it is conducted. In many cases even 

 pure water dissolves the metal, such as copper and lead, the mineral being readily detected in 

 the water, by analysis. Cases of sickness are known to have occurred, caused by water being 

 drawn through copper pumps; but lead poisoning is of more frequent occurrence, since lead pipes 

 are most commonly used for conducting water. This metal is most easily dissolved by water, 

 and is also the most poisonous, the quantity thus dissolved often causing paralysis or palsy, 

 and even death. Lead should therefore never be used for conducting water that is to be 

 drank by man, or any living creature. Its use for this purpose is positively dangerous, and 

 any one who will give the subject due consideration cannot fail of being convinced of the 

 fact. Any farmer therefore, having not only the health of his family in view, but also of his 

 farm animals, will provide other means than lead pipes for conveying water to them. Many 

 instances are known of cattle failing to do well where the cause was traceable directly to the 

 use of lead pipes in conveying water to them. Besides, the beef produced by cattle having 

 metallic poison in their veins cannot be healthful. 



For farm purposes, some writers recommend wooden pipes of good material carefully laid. 

 These are safe, as far as metallic poisons are concerned, but their chief objection is that they 

 are not very durable. Iron pipes are often recommended, but they are very apt to make the 

 water rusty, galvanized iron is considered unsafe on account of the zinc which is so readily 

 taken up by the water, rendering it as objectionable, on account of being poisonous as lead, 

 for this purpose, many cases of zinc poisoning having occurred from its use not long since in 

 New England. Brass is also equally objectionable. Gutta percha is not durable, and glass 

 and porcelain, which have been tried to a certain extent, do not possess the flexibility and 

 softness which is requisite for bending, cutting, and fitting pipes. 



After various experiments with different materials as a substitute for lead, a pipe has 

 been invented which consists of lead for the outside, encasing a block-tin pipe, or in other 

 words, a tin-lined lead pipe, which is found to answer the purpose best, since the water comes 

 in contact only with the tin surface, which does not render the water impure. Prof. 

 Chandler states that the water in the tin-lined pipe, when tested side by side with that from 

 the ordinary lead pipe, from which the water would take up from one-tenth to two-tenths of 

 a grain of lead per gallon, was not perceptibly affected by remaining for a considerable length 

 of time in contact with the tin surface. In using this pipe, of course, one of solid tin or some 

 other material that would not affect the water, should be used to be extended under the water 

 in the well or tank, as the lead on the outside of the tin-lined pipe would be objectionable, if 

 coming in contact with the water. Doubtless a better substitute than this kind of pipe may 

 yet be found. 



Springs, Brooks, etc. The farmer who has a good spring from which to supply his 

 house and farm buildings with pure, running water, has a treasure indeed. Or if he has a 

 good well for a water supply, he is fortunate; but he should be especially careful that it does 

 not become contaminated by surface drainage, or poisonous substances that may enter it by 

 percolating through the soil, in a manner so gradual and subtle as not to be detected except 

 by its disastrous effects. 



Great care should be taken also to keep a spring which supplies water to the premises, clean 

 and free from everything that would render it impure. A good strong fence should be built 

 around the spring to keep off cattle and all intruders. A fine grate or strainer should also be 

 placed over the end of the pipe, to prevent obstructions from entering. The water should 

 flow into a tank or reservoir near the spring, from which pipes should connect it to the build 

 ings. The spring should also be frequently examined by the owner, and kept as free from 

 impurities as possible. If the spring is higher than the buildings to which the water is to be 

 conveyed, it will be a very easy matter to take it there, as water will readily run down hill. 

 33 



