ESTIMATE FOR ARTESIAN WELLS. 37 
merits for drawing it up—which, would require too much time and labor when large numbers 
of animals were to he supplied—the artesian wells would he the sources of running streams. 
The tanks would also require to he protected from animals, and the Llano Estacado could 
only he occupied by the few domestic animals which could he watered by hand. 
The process of boring artesian wells is well understood in this country; and by such means 
large districts of country have been redeemed from unproductiveness. The success of such 
wells upon the Llano Estacado would not only be of incalculable value to the travelling 
community, and in the construction of a railroad or wagon-road, but would open to occupation 
an extensive grazing region which is now doomed to solitude. 
In the outfit of a party sent for the purpose of boring or digging, the expenses would he 
identical up to a certain point, and the number of persons required for each process about the 
same. It would be both economy and expediency for the government to conduct the work 
through its own officers, in preference to making contracts for that purpose ; and with this view 
it would be well to purchase boring instruments, provisions, and transportation. 
One set of boring tools would be sufficient for many such wells, unless under extraordinary 
difficulties of ground, which are scarcely to be anticipated on the Llano Estacado. 
The wagons would be nece/sary to haul water to the working-parties; and at the conclusion 
of the work, both mules and wagons would command a price equal at least to two-thirds of 
their original cost. 
In boring upon the Llano Estacado it would be preferable, if only one experiment is to be 
made, to establish the depot camp on the Pecos, for' the reason that the comparative proximity 
of New Mexico would be an object in facilitating the supply of the party with materials and 
provisions. Should an appropriation sufficiently large, however, be devoted to this object, it 
would seem to me in all respects advisable to commence the work at both sides at the same time. 
For entire convenience four wells, at intervals of twenty-five miles, would be necessary 
between the head of the Colorado and the Pecos, and the whole number could be bored at the 
same expense and in half the time as by commencing at one side only. 
Allowing two months from the time of leaving the settlements to the commencement of the 
work, which I would consider sufficient, and an average depth of boring of six hundred feet, 
the time necessary for the completion of each well would be about six months. This time is 
arrived at by allowing an average depth.of three feet for each day’s boring. Through hard 
rock about eighteen inches a day can be made, and through sandstone and soft limestone about 
six feet. From what I have stated concerning the Staked Plain, a great proportion of the 
boring would be through soft sandstones and limestones. Some harder beds would be encoun¬ 
tered, but of extent comparatively limited. 
It would seem to me in all respects advisable to appropriate for the boring of all the wells 
required, at once, since eight-tenths of the expense would be in the purchase of tools and trans¬ 
portation, and the cost of each additional well would only amount to the cost of provisions and 
the wages of the party. 
I append below estimates for each process. 
, ESTIMATE FOR ARTESIAN WELLS. 
Tools, rods, augers, chisels, derrick-irons, &c., for boring TOO feet. $1,250 00 
Travelling forge and equipments. 500 00 
Wooden tubes for TOO feet. 250 00 
Pay and subsistence of men for eight months. 8,016 00 
Cost of wagons and mules for transporting provisions and tools. 9,500 00 
19,516 00 
