The Watp.r of Artesian Wells— Hewitt. 127 



The comparison of ^ood common well water with the drilled 

 well supply, is not at all unfavorable to the common well, so far 

 as the figures go, bat to one familiar with this study, there is a 

 solid satisfaction in the aid which a well made drilled well gives in 

 answering the question. Is the '"organic matter" of animal origin, 

 and whether plant or animal, is it recent? In deciding whether 

 to class a common well water as fair or doubtful; the history of 

 the well enters largely into the problem, and it is often very dif- 

 ficult to get all the facts required for accurate judgment. By the 

 assistance of Prof. C. W. Hall, of the University, the geological 

 history of the drilled wells, so far as known, will be furnished 

 hereafter with the analysis. Much aid in this direction is expected 

 from the firms engaged in the business of drilling. 



The railroads are making these wells for station and engine 

 supply. Some of the waters are used to clean engine boilers of 

 "scale." Those most efficient are alkaline, and contain a consider- 

 able proportion of the alkalies. 



A VERAGE OF ARTESIAN WELLS. 



Red River Valley. 



Figures in parenthesis, number of specimens averaged. 

 Hardness in degrees of Clark's scale. 

 Other figures, grains per American gallon. 



