THE MIDDLE LIAS OE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 
Ill 
somewhat retard the flow of water, and consequently the 
amount that could be utilised, though at any time the upper 
layers of the filter bed in the well could be taken put and 
replaced if necessary. 
As all these openings into the Marlstone would be near 
the river or some feeding stream, an additional and very 
important increase in the amount of water obtainable might 
be made by having a connection with the river, by means of a 
pipe, so placed as to draw water from this source when the 
river was sufficiently high for it to be well spared. It would 
indeed be an advantage to millers and others to be relieved 
of this water, and might somewhat prevent the injuries 
which arise to the banks from overflowing. The diagrams* 
will show the general nature of the proposed arrangements. 
The advantages which I claim for this scheme are these :— 
It would improve a large district now injured by floods ; it 
would after the first season improve our water supply, and 
ultimately make it abundant; the water would be very pure, 
because it is filtered before entering the well, and filtered in 
the well itself before entering the most effectual filter, the 
bed itself; and what I consider a very important matter, the 
water would be well aerated by its fall; and it will be at 
once evident that no additional reservoir is required for the 
increasing amount of water, no pipes required, to convey it 
to the pumping station, and no filtration required after 
pumping. 
As indicating the objections that might be, and indeed 
have been, urged against this scheme, I propose to consider 
separately the following questions :— 
1. —Would there be enough water ? 
2. —Would the water go into these beds ? 
3. —Would the water which goes in be available for our 
use ? 
4. —Would the water be pure ? 
5. —What would be the expense ? 
6. —Are there any special natural or legal difficulties in 
the matter ? 
I.—Would there be enough Water ? 
In the early part of 1885 the water supply of North¬ 
ampton was estimated at 420,000 gallons per day from all 
sources, only about 315,000 gallons being from the Marlstone. 
* The Diagram containing section of well must be regarded as one in 
which relative dimensions have been ignored, so that the particular 
features of the arrangement may be the better shown. I have to 
thank Mr. H. T. Armitt for preparing the drawings for me. 
