1889.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 195 



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. 5, 9, 10, IT, 17, 22, 27, 35, 36, 64, 78 and 82 are 

 of a suspicious character, and that Nos. 1, 3, 4, 6, 14, 15, 16, 

 18, 19, 21, 23, 28, 31, 33, 34, 40, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 

 56, 64, 65, 68 and 72 ought to be condemned, on account of 

 a large amount of free and albuminoid ammonia, due most 

 likely to access of sewage water. An examination of the 

 above statement shows that a large proportion of the samples 

 received were from bad wells. Of fifty-eight samples of water 

 tested for lead, four 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 

 worst 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 water which supplies the wants of 

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

 can, for any length of time, neglect, without incurring 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 

 present state of scientific inquiry, by which desirable infor- 

 mation regarding the true character of a drinking water can 

 be obtained. 



Parties sending on water for an analysis ought to be very 

 careful to use clean vessels, clean stoppers, etc. The samples 

 should be sent on without delay after collecting. One gallon 

 is desirable for the analysis. 



