170 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The comparatively light rainfall of recent years, the evaporation 

 during the hot dry months of summer, and the increased consump- 

 tion all figure prominently in the shortage of water from surface 

 sources in the farming district. 



The problems involved in the development of water supplies that 

 can be depended upon during all seasons of the year have already 

 been successfully worked out for many large farms and private 

 estates in Massachusetts by those equipped by study and experience 

 to prescribe the best method after examining the conditions. 



The development of water supplies from underground sources, or 

 deep down in the bed rock, while long regarded as a mystery has 

 proven to be the solution of the problem. 



The water which falls upon the earth in the form of rain is dis- 

 posed of in three distinct way?, — one portion suffers evaporation, 

 a second portion runs over the surface and escapes into brooks and 

 streams, while a third portion sinks into the ground. This third 

 portion usually pursues a subterranean course, and during its jour- 

 ney frequently collects into well-defined channels and lakes. A 

 careful study of the surface contours and geological conditions is 

 necessary in locating these underground collecting basins. This must 

 be done in order to determine the natural water courses in relation 

 to the surrounding country and the position and inclination of the 

 underlying bed rock, and to locate the deposits of sand and gravel 

 without which no gi-eat amount of water can be obtained. In some 

 places hereabouts, where surface indications might lead us to believe a 

 good supply of water exists, none can be found. This is due to the fact 

 that the stratum below the surface is very fine, hard-packed sand, 

 or hardpan, which is practically imjDervious to water. Whenever in 



low land the formation is coarse 

 sand or gravel, inexhaustible water 

 supplies can be developed by the 

 driven well method. 



Such wells are put down by hand 

 and penetrate the gravel to a point 

 where the best results are to be had. 

 They were first driven in this region 

 in about 1870. At the beginning 

 they were merely pipes driven into 

 the ground at random, and results 

 were very uncertain. Locations are 

 Flowing Wells at stoughton, Mass.. selected uow with reference to the 



35 feet deep. 



drainage area and the overlying 

 earth deposits. These wells average from 35 to 40 feet in depth in 

 Massachusetts, and will often yield from 40 to 50 gallons of water 

 per minute. There are a great many systems of driven we>ls in 



