WATER SUPPLY. 25 



it is ever a good thins? for the water to remain 

 in the air for some time after it has been drawn, 

 and this very much softens it, and renders 

 it more suitable for drinking than when it is 

 drawn fresh from the pump. But such trough 

 or vessel must, it is needless to say, be kept scrupu- 

 lously clean and changed frequently, and should 

 once a week at least be scrubbed with salt to 

 prevent any furring of the sides and bottom. 

 Where the water is especially hard, it may be 

 softened by the use of the material sold nowa- 

 days under the name of ' Anti-calcaire,' which 

 is most effective and very moderate in price. A 

 small quantity can be kept mixed up in a barrel, and 

 taken out for daily use. 



As I have before remarked, very hard water is 

 not suitable for horses, and it should invariably 

 be softened by some such means as I have men- 

 tioned. Exposure to the air is very efficacious 

 in most instances ; but there are cases in which 

 even this precaution is barely sufficient, and so 

 recourse must be had to some other means, and 

 from all I have heard of ' Anti-calcaire,' it is, 

 I am assured on the very best authority, all it 

 professes to be. It is, I believe, sold by Messrs. 

 Maignen and Co., and, contrary to most advertised 

 articles, is good. 



