San Andreas independent., 1856-10-11
Artesian Wells in San Hose

a.
A recent visit through considerable
portion of the Santa Clara valley, saws
writer In the Stockton Argus, afforded us
favorable opportunity to witness the
operation of the Artesian wells that form
SO great an object of attraction to travellers.
and SO important feature in the success.
ful farming for which the valley in the
vicinity OF San Jose has no equal. Jets
OF sparkling water rising in columns of
eight or ten inches in diameter, are among
the objects that first attract the eve of the
traveller as.h he enters the town of San Jose.
Nearly all of the farms along the roadside
from Union City to Santa Clara, are sup
piled with these wells, most of which are
IN successful operation, throwing streams
OF water from depth of from sixtv TO
three hundred feet, forced above the tons
of the pipes in proportion to the current
OF the stream below. In the garden of
Mr.. Bontemp, an Artesian we'll is in opera
ton, which, for ten months past has thrown
stream of most excellent water seven
inches IN diameter, from depth of 26O
feet, height of twelve feet from the
ground, giving supply much too large
Tor the purpose of irrigation, and render
ing it necessary to lead off the surplus
water by means of bitches From the
reservoir, water is conveyed through leaden
pipes into every apartment of the house,
thus afording conveniences beyond value,
enjoyed at no expense, and in the full sat-
isfaction that there is no g let up" to the
supply. In most instances, water is
reached by boring depth of less than
100 feet, the expense of which is compar-
atively trifing. There are but few wells
that possess sufficient force of water to
throw it any considerable distance above
the pipe; but the supply is nevertheless,
incessant, whether it forces the water to
any height, or merely turns it over the
top of the pipe, as is the case with the
greater number of them. Near the centre
of tae city, in the middle Of wide street.
and fenced in b. an iron railing, there is
public reservoir of water from an Arte-
sian we'll three hundred feet deep, which
is of incalculable value to the Mexican
population who reside near it, The women
visit it, and bear away burdens of water
upon the head, reminding one of scenes
in Oriental life
The first Artesian spring (Which was
accidently discovered, is now in operation,
and supplies large quantity Of water,
though by no means successful in com
parison with the greater number of those
built in later times. Much inquiry exists
among the people of Santa Clara, interested
in the success of Artesian wells through
out the State concerning the probability of
obtaining water in the San Joaquin valley
1t is a matter to be regretted that the sup
ply of water from Artesian wells in this
valley is surrounded by too much uncer-
tainty and heavy expense, ever to be made
practicable for the purpose of irrigation.
We are too far from the mountains whence
these subterranean rivers rise and flow
into the valleys, to obtain the benefit of
them, except at great depth. The ease
and comparative certainty with which
water is obtained in the Santa Clara valley.
has greatly enhanced the value of farming
lands, until the most ordinary unimproved
ground near the city limits commands one
hundred dollars per acre Hillman, (the
1" Razor Strop Man, } has fine nursery
two miles from the city, upon which he
has as yet been unable to obtain Artesian
water, though he has reached the depth of
$50 feet while his neighbors are ENJOYING
the benefit of an abundant supply from
depth less than 100 feet. Messrs. Smith
& Winchell, known throughout this county
for the excellent~quality of trees and shrub
berry that are grown in their nursery, have
an Artesian well, with an over-supply of
water from depth of sixty feet, with
which they irrigate tract of about fifty
acres of land, embracing their nursery
grounds.