SUCCESS IN THE WELL-MAKING BUSINESS. 



Well-making, at the present time, is considered a business in it- 

 self a trade, requiring skill and scientific knowledge; and, like every 

 other business, tact, good judgment, energy and economy must be em- 

 ployed to make it successful. In early days, any man who had suffi- 

 cient physical strength could dig a well. At the present time, only a 

 part of those who embark in the well-making business become success- 

 ful. And yet, taking into consideration the amount of capital invested, 

 there is no legitimate, honorable business in this country from which 

 as much clear profit can be derived, as can made in making wells with 

 modern improved machinery. 



The droughts which have prevailed over large sections of the coun- 

 try during the past few years have caused a very great increase in the 

 demand for good wells. This demand is for better and deeper wells 

 than heretofore, and better and larger machines must be used in mak- 

 ing them. The purchaser of a good well machine can always find 

 plenty of work to do, and at almost his own prices, provided he is a 

 good workman. 



Compare the profits of the ordinary farmer with those of a suc- 

 cessful well-maker. A man with a farm of 1/0 acres in the West has 

 at least $3.200 invested in his land, and $2,000 more in his stock and 

 machinery. From such a farm, during a very good season, he may 

 possibly sell grain and stock to the value of $1,600, besides paying for 

 what help he requires and other necessary expenses. This is far 

 above the average, as will be attested by many a farmer. From the 

 investment of $5,200, and for the year's work, the farmer gets an in- 

 come of $1,500. 



Now, to start into the well- making business requires an invest- 

 ment of from $500 to $2, 000, according to the kind of work that is- 

 contemplated. The ordinary farm outfit wiJl cost about $800, includ- 

 ing horses and wagon. The price per foot for making wells varies 

 greatly, but probably averages between $1 and $1.50 per foot. From 

 30 to 100 feet can be bored in a day, and from 20 to 3CO feet can be- 

 drilled in a day. At 50 feet a day, and at 60 cents per foot, a day's 

 work would amount to $30. There are 300 working days in a year. 

 At $30 per day, the year's income would amount to $9,000. "But," 

 you say, "this is too much; I cannot find work all the time; the weath- 

 er is sometimes bad." So we will deduct 100 days, which makes the 

 year's income, working a little more than half the time, $6,000. But 

 you say that the average price is not as high as we have figured it, or 

 you cannot average 50 feet per day. Grant that this is so; that you 

 cannot average but 30 feet per day, and that the average price per 

 foot is only 40 cents; still your income would be $2,400 per year, and 



