The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-03-20
ARTESIAN WELLS.
BF nR. Y. Il. fiTNARD.

As much a< has been said about these wells,
and As they are coming into extensive use in
some parts of the country as well as in Eu-
'r"l'". an account of their origin. the manner
in w!''h they are made and their a,lvania-rs
over common wells. may not be- uninteres,-
inc.
In the first place. an -ArtrSan well is very
different from the common well. as much 81,
indeed. as are springs. which, in fact they
are, heinz formed hr causing the water to rise
to tli' sn''a"e Of the earth, and TO flow ont in
the same manner as common Sprin2. 4
cylindrical pertoration, of a few inches IN d..
ameter, is borel vertically into the earth. until
1t reaches water that rises to or near the sur
face OF the ground
The Artcsian well, though in., coming in.
10 use in some places. is Of much greater an
nfultv than may he generally supposed The
pcriod when they originated is LOT exactly
known. bat the first are believed to have been
made in the ancient town Of ir'oi< in France,
whence originated the name Of .ilfesian.-
They are. II" doubt, Of considerable antiquity
and have been Known and used for several
centuries in the north of Italy. and northern
portions of France: but they were not known
in German, and England until some fifir or
sixty wears AGO.
There are now great many of these wells
IN the city Of London and lis nciuhhorhood.
The water Is procured in those there hv pcr-
t"ratin" through III. thick bed of London
clay. and thou"h some portions of the suhia-
cent chalk lhe water that rises is found,
GENERALLY, in a porous gravel bed, upon which
the clay or chalk rests.
A. the earth has generally TO be perforated
several hundred feet. 10 cause the water 10 rise
10 the surface. or within pumping distance,
these wells afford much insight into the geo
logical structure of the earth. I'm the different
countries where they arc made In fact, the
successful pcriorai"n of the earth, TO obtain
water IN them. requires considerable acquain-
httif iAai slTt lure hl tile sew
eral districts or countries in which II is d-sir-
able to make them: as one or more of the &C.
Olngical strata has to be passed. and the de-
sired water occurs principally at the separa-
ton of two contiguous formations.
Another thing important to successful op-
Grafton in boring these wells is a skillfnl di-
rertion of the rr"-css hv whiyh the water lev
cl can Ice reached. and those hv which It's a.
cent IN the tube tan he best promoted.
The operations which have 10 he used in
boring for wafer in Artesian wells, are similar
Ia those prartcrd hv the miner in boring for
metals. The instrument employed is not sim
liar 10 the common anger, as nigh. be infer
red from the term bnring II is. in fact,more
like chi<'l than an anger. and in IT. opera
ton similar 10 pccking instrument.
This Is fastened 10 the end of a polc-like,
cylindrical piece of wood, which is made TO
operate from the end Of a sweep, or raised
and let fall in the same manner hv the rcro-
luion~ of wheel with cnc-like aprendagc.
for this purpose on short lever As the
depth increases. other pieces are added. and
hv constant revolution of the instrument
round. as it works, the hole il literally pscked
OF drilled ont. Or sclie< of large, strong
iron rods may be employed in the same man
ner.
Occasionally. as may be necessary. all are
taken out. and the hole cleaned bv suitable
vlindrical instrument, collecting and retain
ing the matter loosened, until drawn out,
when operations are again renewed. These
are thus continued until the desired water 10
reached.
As sand has sometimes TO be penetrated
through to the depth of several feet, and the
rru,lrr matter OF the aluvial formations near