230 



THE GEOLOGY OF MINNESOTA. 



[Wells. 



At Yucatan the terrace flat is forty feet above the present flood-plain of the south fork of 

 Root river. The flood-plain is six feet above low water. 



At Freeburg the terrace is twenty feet above the flood-plain of Crooked creek, which is five 

 feet above the water of the creek. 



Wells in Houston county. 



A few wells situated in the valley of Root river have disclosed vegetable remains at about 

 the level of the flood-plain, and probably the terraces generally cover a layer of vegetable remains 

 that was caused by the decay and burial of preglacial plants. This has only been detected, so far 

 as known, at Hokah and at La Crescent. At the former place the well of Isaac West was filled 

 again because the '' muck bed " rendered the water unfit for use. The same is true of William 

 Wykoff 's and \V. F. Weber's, and a number of others. Probably the characters of Mr. Pidges, as 

 given below, are those common to most of them. 



B. F. Pidye's well, at Hokah. 



It is situated on the lower terrace. 



Loam and sand 50 or 55 feel. 



Vegetation, leaves, sticks, muck, &c . 4 feet. 



Sand, with some coarse pebbles "literally filled withsnail shells" 4 feet. 



White sand, yielding water 5 feet. 



The water of this well tastes rather peculiar, and at first it was not fit for use. Sometimes 

 still it comes up black, but by use it becomes clearer and is used for all domestic purposes, 

 without injurious effects. Sugar of lead causes it to become milky white. Acetate of potassa 

 produces no change ; sulphate of zinc no change. When it rises in the bucket it is not clear, but 



somewhat cloudy, as if with clay. 



Wells in Houston county. 



