Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-10-12
For the Standard.
Saratoga Springs

there was hint that another mlght
be forthcoming, relating to matters
that might, or might not account for
the character of these waters. 1t was
stated there, that the springs were
along the bottom of a ravine. This
is true in one sense; but the land on
the opposite sides of this ravine,
seems like two different countries.
On the westerly side, one might think
there had sometime been mountain,
or range of mountains Of sand, and
that it had been broken of down to
the rock. The soil, what there is OF
it, i, hard and the rock everywhere |
near the surface, for miles backward |
from the springs. Across the ravlne,
some forty rods only, there is one bed
of yellow sand. No stones are to be
found. The western bank is in places
quite abrupt, and the rock comes to
the surface often. On the eastern the
rise is less rapid and the sandy plain
stretches away till again there is a
descent into a clayey lowland. This
sandy plain does not rise as high as
the rocky bank opposite. Going
eastward till rocks appear again along
the banks of the Hudson, and these
are of different nature from those
west of the springs. They are a
rock; while west Of the ravlne they
are of the appearance OF blue scanned
limestone The ledge is quarried IN
many places, for blocks OF almost any
ordinary size. In other places the
surface is covered with a thin fiat
rock, often quite smooth on the upper
surface, but very spongy on the sur
: face beneath. Indeed there is very
much of this loose honeycombed stone
e along this rauge of land. And there
: is 70 reason to infer that the entire
. rock might not be acted on by the
elements, in time, to reduce it to this
: state; for this spongy stone is usual
ly attached to larger or smaller por-
> tions of solid and live rock. The an
alysis, or composition, chemically, OF
!, this rock; had no means of obtain
ing; but evidently its nature Is
peculiar, for it does not crumblc by
the action cf water and frost, nor
wear down by trituration as is the
= common method with rocks that de
. cav. There seems to be a dissolution
of some of the elements Of the rock.
Il while the skeleton is left And thu
taking place on the under side of the
q rocks, indicates that it is the steam on
! vapor, from the moisture beneath,
which has the faculty Of producing
- this dissolution. These thin pieces
g of stone, where they are found, are
u used for tagging sidewalks and often
- pieces covering several feet Of pave
: ment are taken out. They are quite
hard and free from seams, so that the
IL y ring of the stones under the tool OF
- the workmen is a sharp and clear one
:! quite metallic. Now this rock de
:! scends very rapidly, from the place
: where it begins to drop to form the
L rayinG. 1t forms what | suppose
:; would be called in geology, a fault
a The further the springs are dug from
y the western bank, the deeper it is nee
u i essary to go before reaching the rock
The water Of the springs is said tC
~ be found in every case, coming ur
;" through this rock. Abundance o
- fresh water is found in the process o
~ digging, but that is found above the
y rock. This shows the necessity o
:, tubing the springs closely, and o
!; making the packing very close a0ou
the bottom of the tube, on the rock
let A kind Of hard clay IS used for thi.
nd purpose, for the reason that ordinary
-" cements are destroyed by the water,
of the springs. Now it is probable
of that these mineral waters are like
n other waters of springs, dependen
m upon supply that enters the eartl
wee wee at some point in the form of rain, anC
i: that it is owing to the peculiar nature
of the rocks and soil through which
they pass, and in which they remain
ed ed that they become so impregnated witt
medicinal properties. As they com,
gh out from the rock that belongs to til,
rs west, and not to the east side of tn
rs valley where they are found and a
at they come out where this rock sink
re- much below the prevailing level Of tn
so surrounding country; it is probable
* if not certain, that these waters al
no come in from the west. The springs
by too, are influenced somewhat b
is abundant rains, as other deep spring
by are. But the quality of the water i
a not SO good, at such times. Also whe
an the water is drawn down several fee
td as it sometimes is, by bottling, tn
I'd strength of the water is reduced. [
ID the morning also, the water share
on more of its mineral quality to tn
IN taste, than after large quantities hav
been dipped out. This can be ac
lc- counted for, on the ground that til
he water stands higher in the deposit
tn away back among the rocks, when tn
en- spring is kept full. And taking Iittl
De- out, leaves the water in the crevice
re to stand longer, and so dissolve NOR
IN. of the mineral with which it is in col
,ss tact.
ut These are some of the theories tina
w. are suggested to one by observing tn
We facts, which are, and have been note
he at these springs. Whether there
en- any truth in this or not, does not alte
lot the important thing which is, tina
IN these wa er 5, properly used, ar
all among the most valuable means Q
ng toning up the system and givin
re health, ofanything known in this coun
try. Their action is so natural an,
refreshing that they deserve
,;s place among the first Of the provis