SUPPLY OP WATER. 



5 



iiotMiig would be more dismal than the prospect in the 

 first instance^ and nothing might be more difficult and 

 laborious than the subsequent efforts to improve it. 



Bupply of Water. — Water in sufficient quantity and 

 of good quality is another requisite which must receive 

 due attention in determining the site of a house. Some- 

 times an adequate supply of this necessary of life is by 

 no means of easy attainment. WeUs^ tanks, reservoirs 

 with pipes, and hydraulic rams, have all been resorted 

 to, according as the natural surface of the estate has 

 allowed or compelled the employment of one or other 

 of these. A fountain or reservoir above the level of the 

 mansion-house certainly deserves the preference wher- 

 ever it can be formed, though its original expense may 

 be considerable. This plan affords the greatest facilities 

 for the introduction of water into the various apartments 

 of the house and offices, and for yielding a sufficient 

 supply in case of fire, a matter of some importance in 

 regard to the safety of the property. An abundant 

 reservou-, placed as indicated above, will provide with 

 water the fountains on the terraces, and in the flower- 

 gardens and pleasure-grounds. In some gravelly sub- 

 soils, even when the surface is comparatively dry, a 

 considerable quantity of water may sometimes be found 

 at no great depth, and may be obtained by means of 

 wells and force-pumps ; but the supply can hardly ever 

 be so abundant as that yielded by the reservoir, and the 

 labour required to raise it is very great. The hydraulic 

 ram is a very useful instrument where only a moderate 

 quantity of water is needed. A small stream, with a few 

 feet of fall, will keep it in operation, and will enable it to 

 raise the water to a tank, say on the top of the mansion- 

 house, whence it may be distributed as required. We 



