I02 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS March, 1907 



The Water Supply 



6 — The First Floor Plan of Mr. Fowler's House Is Quite Unlike 

 Mr. Mc Adoo's House 



to be connected 



By Ralph Ernest Blake 



EW matters are of so much importance 

 to the house as the water supply. In 

 the city, if sources are good, no diffi- 

 culties concern the house owner as to 

 its relationship to his house; in the 

 suburbs there is frequently a public 

 source of supply which requires only 

 with the house; but in the country, 



where an individual supply must be obtained, the matter 

 is one of the gravest concern, frequently involving large 

 expense, and the installation of a complete water plant. 



The person whose business or occupation calls for 

 living in the city is utterly helpless in the matter of 

 water supply and must, perforce, content himself with 

 what the public authorities provide. He can not choose 

 a city because its water supply is good, nor can he avoid 

 one because it is bad. But there is a freedom of choice 



cabinets, and a hearth and facings of deep 

 blue faience tile. 



The butler's pantry is fitted with draw- 

 ers, silk, and dresser complete. The kitchen 

 and its dependencies are fitted with all the 

 best modern conveniences, including a sink, 

 fireplace, dresser, pot closet, store pantries 

 and ice room. This kitchen and butler's 

 pantry is furnished with tiled walls. The 

 second floor contains three bedrooms, large 

 closets, dressing-room, sewing-room, and 

 two bathrooms. I his floor is trimmed with 

 natural woods, and the two bathrooms are 

 fitted with tiled walls. Each is furnished 

 with porcelain fixtures and exposed plumb- 

 ing. There are four bedrooms, and bath, 

 store room anci trunk room on the third 

 floor. A cemented cellar contains a laun- 

 dry, hot water heater, fuel rooms, etc. The 

 architect was Mr. Benjamin X . White of 



7 — The Great Chimney at the Side Lends Rugged Strength to the Exterior 



in the country which should always be availed of, and it 

 Is one of the prime essentials of a good site that a good 

 water supply be adjacent or within easy reach. 



Water for household use must be pure. Chemically 

 pure water does not exist In nature, but analysis will 

 readily determine Its constituent parts, and should al- 

 ways be made before dependence is placed upon any 

 source of supply. The sources of water are well known, 

 and consist of rain water, surface water of rivers, lakes 

 and ponds and ground water which is obtained from 

 springs and wells. The ease with which water may be 

 polluted Is very great. Rain water would be pure if 

 it could be collected immediately on condensation; as a 

 matter of fact it Is only available after it has passed 

 through various strata of the air, c; (Hng which it 

 absorbs more or less impurities. It i.iust be stored in 

 vessels or cisterns, all of which are apt to be sources of 

 Impurity. Owing to Its Irregular supply it is the least 

 safe of all waters available for household use. It is 

 classed as "suspicious" for cooking and drinking pur- 

 poses, but is the softest of all waters and hence is 

 greatly prized by the housewife for washing purposes. 



8— The Second Floor Contains the Usual Complement of Bedrooms and Bath The purity of surface water Is largely dependent 



