Domestic Water Supplies 

 for the Farm 



CHAPTER I. 

 SOURCES OF WATER. 



Introduction. - - The agricultural lands of the United States, 

 constituting, as they do, almost the whole of the eastern half of 

 the country as well as a very large proportion of the habitable 

 areas in the West, deserve to have especial attention paid to their 

 needs. Of these needs few are greater than that of purer water 

 supplies. Farms, which are generally remote from towns, cities 

 or other areas of congested population, seem to be almost ideally 

 situated for obtaining pure and wholesome water. Unfortunately, 

 typhoid fever, which besides its propagation by flies, is known to 

 be transmitted extensively by means of drinking water, or by 

 milk, vegetables and other food which has come in contact with 

 polluted water or with vessels which have contained it, is es- 

 pecially common on farms, the sickness and death rate from this 

 cause being usually considerably greater in country districts than 

 in cities. 



The problem of securing water supplies that shall be adequate 

 in quantity and, at the same time, safe and wholesome is, there- 

 fore, one of the most vital of those confronting the farmer. Upon 

 its correct solution health, prosperity and even life itself may de- 

 pend. Fortunately, all natural waters, both surface and under- 

 ground, are, except when polluted by human or animal agencies, 

 generally safe; and, with the exception of a few sulphur and alka- 

 line waters, are reasonably wholesome. 



