DRAINAGE AND GROUND WATER SUPPLY 203 



as great economic value to human kind as will the land 

 thus reclaimed by drainage. Where the drainage of such 

 areas is accomplished by means of wells, both contentions 

 are satisfied. 



Even ordinary tile drainage, practiced for the purpose 

 of permitting soils to do reasonable service agriculturally, 

 is regarded with suspicion by those who are jealous for the 

 future safety of the nation as depending upon future 

 food and water supply. 



268. Direct draft upon underground waters. This 

 draft is brought about : (a) in the draining of mines by 

 pumps or tunnels ; (b) in the action of artesian wells, es- 

 pecially where they are permitted to operate uncontrolled ; 

 and (c) in the procuring of a city's water supply by means 

 of municipal wells. The draining of mines, the digging 

 of artesian wells, and of city and other wells are all legiti- 

 mate, and could hardly be forbidden by law. It would 

 seem, however, that the reckless wastefulness, practiced 

 in some of the artesian basins of our country, might be, 

 and should be, restricted by law. 



269. The interpretations placed on the fact of a falling 

 ground water-table. We are frequently startled by the 

 appearance of an article in the public press, 1 or a public 

 utterance prophesying a serious future condition because 

 of a failing water supply. Such prophecies might be con- 

 sidered seriously if there were positive assurances that the 

 past and present falling of the ground water-table must 

 continue. The history of older countries in this regard, 

 however, does not warrant such prophecies. A review 

 at the expense of repetition may be desirable in the way of 

 a comparison of water demand and water supply. 



1 Literary Digest, Vol. 48, No. 2, p. 59. 



