PIKE COUNTY.. | | 641 
subsoil, at least as impervious to water as the shaly beds from which in 
large measure this subsoil is derived; consequently the rain is refused 
entrance, and springs, wells, and living streams are alike impossible. 
There are weeks, or even months, during almost every summerin which 
all surface water disappears from these extensive areas, and stock of all 
descriptions must be driven daily from one to four miles for water. For 
domestic use cisterns are every where constructed, and the clay is so tena- 
cious that it holds water quite well without cement, a dry wall being 
generally laid to guard the excavation. What are called wells in these 
areas are generally pits in this impervious clay, and the entire supply is 
derived from surface water. The wells then differ from the cisterns 
principally in this respect, viz., the latter are supplied from the roofs, 
while the former receive their supply from the foul and neglected surface 
adjacent to house or barn. Water from such sources must always be 
looked upon with grave suspicion. There is no question but that it is 
very often the medium for spreading disease and death. It is obvious 
that all the roofs of these regions should be taxed for water-supply. 
aoe conglomerate of the eastern side of the county furnishes at its 
base occasional springs upon v ich some dependence is placed. The 
seams of shale, however, distrib ted even through the conglomerate, in- 
terfere with its service as an efficient water-bearer. 
5. The Drift deposits of the county furnish the usual line of facts in 
this connection. The Scioto bottoms are full of water throughout their 
whole extert, but it is generally necessary to go to the level of the river 
before reaching it. For the third and fourth bottoms, which have been 
already mentioned as the most desirable locations for residence, the dis- 
tance is so great as to render this source practically inaccessible. 
It will be seen, therefore, that almost all of the county is, to a greater or 
less degree, defective in natural water-supply. Springs, wells, and water- 
courses are quite inadequate to meet the demands in large areas of the 
county. The people of such districts can not move too soon in securing 
the artificial reservoirs that must take the place of the natural supplies. 
Economy, comfort, and health alike demand more careful provision for 
this indispensable element, in properly constructed and properly guarded 
‘cisterns. | 
Al 
