1888.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 179 



water tested for lead, three were found to be poisoned by 

 that metal, in consequence of the use of lead pipes. 



A satisfactory supply of good drinking water on a farm, 

 depends, in a controlling degree, on a judicious selection of 

 the location of the well designed for the use of the family 

 and for the live-stock, and on the personal attention be- 

 stowed, from time to time, on the condition of the well and 

 its surroundings. Good wells are liable to change for the 

 worse at any time, on account of circumstances too numerous 

 to state in this connection. To ascertain, from time to time, 

 the exact condition of the well which supplies the wants of 

 the family and of the live-stock, is a task which no farmer 

 can, for any length of time, discard, without incurving a 

 serious risk to health and prosperity. 



The subject receives, quite frequently, but little attention, 

 on account of the fact that the harmful qualities which an 

 apparently good water may contain, are disguised beyond 

 recognition by the unaided senses. Certain delicate chemi- 

 cal tests, aided at times by microscopic observations, are, in 

 the majority of cases, the only reliable means, in our pres- 

 ent state of scientific inquiry, by which desirable informa- 

 tion regarding the true character of a drinking watet can be 

 obtained. 



. Parties sending on water for an analysis ought to )jc very 

 careful to use clean vessels, clean stoppers, etc. The sam- 

 ple should be sent on without delay after collecting. One 

 gallon is desirable for the analysis. 



