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THE GENESEE FAEMEE. 



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FILTERING RAIN WATER. 



From the numerous inquiries we have recently received on the subject of filtering, we 

 are glad to perceive that public attention is directed to the importance of having pure 

 water, and to the injurious effects of any impurities, however little, when constantly 

 taken into the system. It lias been said that some men dig their own graves with their 

 teeth. It is certainly true that many diseases that afflict our race, are caused by im- 

 proper eating and drinking — improper as to quality, quantity, and manner. And 

 though it is true that water is the least injurious of all liquids taken into the stomach, 

 and is the drink appointed by the Creator for every living thing ; yet, we have no doubt 

 that disease and death are often caused by the use of impure water. It enters into every 

 thing we eat ; our bread, as well as our tea and coffee, are affected by it. This impurity 

 may be so slight, and the injury so little, as to be imperceptible for a time ; but it is the 

 continual dropping that wears the stone, and the continued use of impure water must 

 produce permanent injury to the human system. The young and tender tree may be 

 driven to the ground by a sudden blast ; but the genial influences of light, warmth, and 

 air, seconding its natural disposition, it will again recover its erect position. Let the 

 same tree be planted where it is subject to the prevailing and almost constant western 

 winds, and it will be warped by it — trunk, branches, and foliage driven to the east. 



Various filters have been invented for puri- 

 fying water. Most of these have been too troub- 

 le.soine in their operation to be favorably re- 

 ceived by farmers. It may be well enough for a 

 man of leisure, whose main business is to do the 

 " chores" to be filtering water by the pailful ; but 

 the fiirmer has other duties demanding his time 

 and attention. The best we are acquainted with, 

 is the one exhibited in the engraving. It is a cis- 

 tern divided into two parts. G is the pipe for con- 

 ducting the water into the cistern ; F, pipe con- 

 nected with pump, for extracting the filtered water; 

 A, B, &c., layers of charcoal, gravel, &c. ; the black 

 dots are passages for the water from one part of 

 the cistern to the other. The engraving, with the fallowing description, is from Allen's 

 American Far7n Book : 



"They may be formed in various ways, and of different materials — stone, brick, or even wood; 

 though the two former are preferable. They should be permanently divided into two apartments, 

 one to receive the water, and another for a reservoir to contain such as is ready for use. Alternate 

 layers of gravel, sand, and charcoal at the bottom of the first, and sand and gravel in the last, are 

 sufficient ; the water being allowed to pass through the sevei'al layers mentioned, will be rendered 

 perfectly free from all impurities. Occasional cleaning may be necessary, and the substitution of new 

 filtering materials will at all times keep them sweet." 



The best portable rain water filter we are acquainted with, is represented in the 

 accompanying cut. We have used one for some time, and can confidently recommend 

 them. It is simply an oaken tub of any required size, three inches larger at the top 

 than at the bottom. A hole is bored through one of the staves some four inches from 

 the bottom, into which a piece of one-inch lead pipe, (tea-chest lead is best,) about ten 

 or twelve inches long, which is pressed out by driving in a mandril to make it water 

 tight. A layer of prepared charcoal, some two inches thick, is first put on the bottom 

 and pounded down ; then a layer of washed gravel, which will fill it a little above the 

 horizontal pipe. A stone-ware crock, holding some three gallons, is then put mouth 

 down, resting on the gravel, enclosing the mouth of the pipe. Coal and gravel, equal 



PILTEBINO CISTERN. 



