178 AGRICULTUEAL EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



The above-stated results of analyses of drinking waters 

 were obtained from samples sent on, for that purpose, from 

 various parts of the State. In most instances these requests 

 are accompanied by a specified instruction, regarding the 

 object of the party interested, —a circumstance which ren- 

 ders the task of the chemist, comparatively speaking, an 

 easy one. 



The analyses have been made according to Wancklyn's 

 process, familiar to chemists ; and are directed towards the 

 indications of the presence of chlorine, free and albuminoid 

 ammonia, and the poisonous metals, lead in particular. 

 (For a more detailed description of this method, see 

 " Water Analyses," by J, A. Wancklyn and E. T. Chap- 

 man.) 



Mr. Wancklyn's interpretation of the results of his mode 

 of investigation is as follows : — 



1. Chlorine alone does not necessarily indicate the pres- 

 ence of filthy water. 



2. Free and albuminoid ammonia in water, without chlor- 

 ine, indicates a vegetable source of contamination. 



3. More than five grains per gallon* of chlorine (=: 71.4 

 parts per million), accompanied by more than .08 parts per 

 million of free ammonia and more than .10 parts per 

 million of albuminoid ammonia, is a clear indication that 

 the water is contaminated with sewage, decaying animal 

 matter, urine, etc., and should be condemned. 



4. Eight-hundredths parts per million of free ammonia and 

 one-tenth part per million of albuminoid ammonia render a 

 water very suspicious, even without much chlorine. 



5. Albuminoid ammonia over .15 parts per million ought 

 to absolutely condemn the water which contains it. 



6. The total solids found in the water should not exceed 

 forty grains per gallon (571.4 parts per million). 



An examination of the above results of analyses shows 

 that Nos. 3, 7, 8, 16, 17, 21, 23 and 25 are of a suspicious 

 character, and that Nos. 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 19, 20, 24, 

 28, 30, 35 and 36 ought to be condemned, on account of a 

 lar<re amount of free and albuminoid ammonia, due most 

 likely to access of sewage waters. Of eight samples of 



* One gallon equals 70,000 grains. 



