1908.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 95 



and because of the increase of other important lines of work, 

 a charge of $3 a sample has been made. Special jars are fur- 

 nished, together with full instructions for collecting: and for- 

 warding the samples. An analysis of water sent in shipper's 

 jar will not be made, neither will bacteriological nor mineral 

 analyses be undertaken. A sanitary analysis is made to deter- 

 mine whether the water is contaminated with bad drainage 

 from privy vaults, barns or sinks. A mineral analysis is usu- 

 ally undertaken to ascertain the amount of the several mineral 

 ingredients contained in the water, and thus to gain information 

 relative to its supposed medicinal properties. Parties wishing 

 such information are referred to private chemists. 



The water examined the past year was of the usual quality. 

 It was derived largely from springs and wells which had fre- 

 quently become polluted from the ordinary sources. After 

 the soil once becomes contaminated, it requires considerable 

 time to purify itself, and the water is likely to be rendered 

 unfit for use for a number of years. Too great care cannot be 

 exercised by parties depending for their supply upon wells 

 and springs located close to dwelling houses, barns or other 

 buildings. Samples are sometimes found contaminated with 

 lead. It is strongly advised that all lead pipe be removed and 

 replaced with iron coated with asphaltum or with galvanized- 

 iron pipe. Lead is a poison, and if it once enters the system 

 it is very difficult to eradicate it. 



9. The Testing of Pure-bred Cows. 

 This department continues its work in testing pure-bred cows 

 under the rules and regulations of the Jersey, Guernsey, Hol- 

 stein-Friesian and Ayrshire breeders' associations. The work 

 for Jersey and Guernsey breeders is confined almost exclusively 

 to consecutive monthly tests for the purpose of securing yearly 

 records. Sixty-three cows arc now in the test, which requires 

 the services of one man nearly the entire month. Holstein 

 breeders require, as a rule, seven-day tests, although in some 

 cases the time limit is set at fourteen and thirty days, and in 

 occasional instances ninety days, should the animals under test 

 be making phenomenal records. At times between the months 

 of December and May four or five men are thus employed. 



