Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-12-04
AGRICULTURAL-SCI SCIENTIFIC.
ARTEsIAN WELLS


Under this name is designated cylindrical perfo.
ration, bored vertically down through one or more
OF the geological strata of the earth till it passes in.
10 porous grave. bed containing water, placed nm
der such incumbent pressure as 10 make il mount
up through the perforaon, either 10 the surface or
to height convenient for The operation of purtp!
In the first case, these wells are called spoutng or
overfowing. This property is not directly propor-
tiona TO the depth, might at frstsigh be supposed
but TO the subacenl pressure upon the water. We
DO moi know exactly The period at which the borsr
or sound was applied TO the investigation of sub
fountains, but we believe the first overflow.
ing wells made in the ancient French province
Of Artoiswhence the name Of Arlesian These wells,
of such importance to agriculture and manufactures,
and which cost nothing TO keep them in condition,
have been in use undoubtedly, for several centuries
in the northern departments of France, and the north
of Italy; but 1t is not more than fifty or sixty vears
since they became known in England and Germany.
There are now great many such wells in London
and its neighborhood. perforated through the inn
mensely thick bed of the London clay, and even
through some portions Of the subjacent chalk. The
boring OF such wells has given much insigh. into the
geological structure OF many districts.
Tie formation of Artesian wells depends on two
things, essentially distinct from each other l. On
all acquaintance with The physical constitution, or
nature, of the mineral structure ofeach particular
country ;and g. On the skful direction of The pro.
cesses by which we can reach The water level, and
Of those by which we can promote its ascent in the
tube. We shall first treat Of the best method of
making the WELL and then Offer some general remarks
on the other subjects.
The operations employed for penetrating the soil arc
are entirely similar those daily pracsed by the miner,
in boring to find metallic vsins; but the well exca-
vaor must resort 10 peculiar expedents to prevent
the pure water which comes from deep sata, min
Cling with the cruder waters Of the auvfal beds near
the surface Of the ground as also to prevent the small
perforaon getting eventually filled with rubbish.
The cause Of overfowing wells has been ascribed
TO variety of crcumstances.-Bul, as il now gen.
orally admitted that the numerous springs which
issue from the ground proceed from the utilization
of the waters progressively condensed in rain, dew.
snow, SC. upon the surface Of our globe, the theory
of these interior sireamles becomes by no means
intricate; being analogous TO that of syphons and
water jets, expounded in the treases on physics.
The waters are difused, after condensation upon the
surface of the so and percoale downwards, Through
the various pores and assures Of the geological sra.
ia, to be again united subleaneously in veins, rills.
streamlets, expanded films of greater or less mag.
ritude,or regularity. The beds traversed by numer.
rous disjuHclons will give occasion to numerous
interior currents in all directions, which cannot be
recovered and brough: to the day but when ths
ground is composed of strata of sand or gravel very
permeabe TO wafer, separated by other strata nearly
mpervous TO it, reservoirs are formed to our hand
from which an abundant supply of water may be
spontaneously raised. In this case, as soon as the
upper stratum is peroratedhe waterway rise,n con.
sequence oflhe hydroslatic pressure upon the low.
er strala and even overflow the surface in constant
stream, provided The level from which they proceed
be proportionably higher.
The sheet OF water occur principally at the sepa.
ration of two contiguous formations and, if the sue.
cesson of the geological strata be considered, this
distribution Of the water will be seen to be IFS me-
cessay consequence. In fact the lower bees are ire
quently composed Of compact sandstone or limestone.
and the upper beds Of clay. In level countries, the
formations being almost always in horizontal beds,
The waters which feed the Aresian wells must come
from districts somewhat remote, where the strata are
more elevated, as towards the secondary or transi.
ton rocks-The copious streams condensed upon
the sides of these colder lands may be- therefore, re-
garded as proper reservoirs of our wells.
Some of the citizens of Fredericksburg are at this
time engaged in boring out an Artesian we'll. They
have already penetrated over sixty feet Success al!
tend their efforts.