116 thirteejVth annual report 



hemlock in the pasture, the lengtli of time intervening between 

 the appearance of symptoms and death, the post-mortem appear- 

 ance and the fresh condition of the organs, there was no hesita- 

 tion in pronouncing the death due to coniine. 



Water analysis has continued to be an important part of our 

 work for the public, although a fee is charged for it. As it is 

 over three years since Bulletin 53, •• The Farm Water Supply," 

 was published, some typical analyses are here published to again 

 emphasize the fact that our unpolluted wells and springs yield 

 water that is unsurpassed for purity and quality. Almost nowhere 

 else in the world can ground waters be found which contain so 

 small quantities of soluble mineral matter, and but little care and 

 exjDense are needed to insure every farm an abundance of healthful 

 water. 



Typical Analyses of Drinking Water. 



Parts in 100.000. 



Deep Fairly 



Unpolluted drilled good Bad 



spring. well. well. well. 



Free ammonia 0008 .0140 .0014 .0030 



Albuminoid ammonia 0029 .0095 .0052 .0152 



Chlorine 40 .50 1.20 7.50 



Nitrogen as nitrites 0000 .0001 .0002 .0002 



Nitrogen as nitrates 0000 0000 .5000 .5000 



Residue after evaporation 4.20 7.40 22.60 37.60 



The unpolluted spring was located in Rollinsford near tide- 

 water — and not less than one half mile from any dwelling or 

 source of pollution. The soil was a light sandy loam, forming an 

 excellent natural filter bed, and springs were numerous in the 

 locality. 



The deep well was in Rochester and was drilled through 250 

 feet of solid ledge. The total depth was 300 feet and the well 

 yielded water at the rate of 50 gallons per minute. 



The remaining wells were both situated in Durham. The fairly 

 good one is in the midst of a highly-fertilized lawn, surrounded by 

 dwellings, but none nearer than 150 feet. It shows a marked 

 increase in soluble mineral matter, including chlorides and nitrates, 

 probably due to drainage from the lawn. The bad well is wdthin 

 fifty feet of sink drain and vault with their accompanying wastes, 

 and shows very high chlorine and also the presence of too much 

 soluble organic matter containing albuminoid ammonia. 



