Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-11-09

advantages of cisterns and the general use of clstern water. It is surely not necessary that should enter into an argument, at thls time of day, to prove the superior healthfulness of rain water as 1t comes pure from the clouds above. A little reflection will establish this belief in the minds of all, without the aid of an argument. I have sometimes heard 1t argued as an objection to the use of cistern water. that it's taste is not agreeable, and that persons long ac- customed to drinking spring water, cannot reconcile themselves to it's use. My ex- perence does not sustain this view of the case. Before my settlement in Arkansas, 1 had come to regard cistem water as the only kind lit for man to drink. Taste is mostly matter of time or of custom: and why the man who can learn to relish hard limestone or muddy river water. should fail to accustom his palate to any other kind, is past my comprehension.
 The advantages resulting from the use of clsterns are very many, in addition to the one ot health. There are large tracts of unsettled land in all parts of the State, which are regarded as unavailable on ac- count of the scarcity of water. This defc- lency can only be remedied effectually by the mode we have suggested; for the water of the Heavens Is not partial with it's favors. It Is available on the highest mountain tops or Tn the deepest valleys; not only for the use of the family, but for the largest iiocks and herds. The farmer who decides to depend upon 1t for the wants of his family, need not feel compelled to erect his dwelling with an eye solely to it's distance from spring, or to choose the ugiest and most inaccessible spot on his farm for his abiding place. He may select the most open or convenient location on his land where the free, nntainted air can come to him and his, with health and pleasure on its wings; or if he is a tasteful man, where the beautiful scenery of most beautiful country shall constantly refresh his eye.
 But in order to make cistem building available or popular among a people of limited means, It must not be an expensfve undertaking, nor must the principles of construction be difficult to understand. As things stand at present, when hydraulic lime must be brought from beyond the borders of the State, with our uncertain means of transportation, l fear it will be an expensive business, more so perhaps than well digging. The material must be found nearat home, and the mode of manu- facture be generally understood, or cisterns will not be built on an extensive scale. Latel ly have been buoyed up by the helief that we have the proper material at our very doors
 A writer in one of the popular Cyclope- dies ln writing of hydraulic mortar, says: "lhe poorer sorts of limestone are best adapted to this purpose, such as contain from $ to p per cent. of foreign matter in silica alumlna, or magneSia These, though calcined, do not slalle when moistened. but Ii pulverized, they absorb water without swelling up or heating, like rich lime, and afford paste which hardens in few days under water" Now, those who have at tempted to use the common limestones of our section, know that they will not sake when burned and that when pulverized. they very closely resemble the cement of commerce. This is especially true of the rotten limestone or cotton rock as it IS pop ularly called.
 Dr. Owen, in his geological report, if I mistake not, classes the prevailing lime stones of this region as magnetism and archimedes; the one, l suppose, containing percentage of magnesia, the other of silica. But l am no geologist, and must not ven- ture deeper, or my ignorance will be toe marked. Doubtless Dr. Owen could give us the required information on this point, and it would do me good to hear from him through your journal.
 Next, if we indeed have the proper ma terial among us, we will still lack the knowl- edge of its manufacture into cement.- Whether 1t is burned like common lime; o1 whet her some special process is necessary and lastly we will need detailed instructions in the art of building cisterns. I confess my ignorance on both these points; and fear there are precious few of my fellow citizens who can boast of any advantage over me. If there is any practical mar among the number of your readers, who cal lmpart the required information, let u. hear from him by all means.
 In conclusion, Mir. Editor, let me express my qualification in perceiving your con stantly increasing disposition to fill tn, columns of your journal with that kind O reading matter, so acceptable to the grea farming interest of the country--of whicl the article that has called out these remark. IS an example.
 Now l am done, without one word or politics. Give me credit for that if fol nothing else. Yours,
 HILLSIDE.