Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-08-02

IHE WArER QUESTION. THE new reser-
voir, rs we predicted months ago, is still un-
finished, and our supply Of water is no more
plentiful than usual at this season Of theyear.
Further, we believe that the reservoir when
finished unless filed up with inside abut-
nents to prevent the wall from tumbling I'M
will be failure. But whether it proves a
failure or nos, there iz a stiH more serious
evil that threatens our supply, unless
proper precautions are speedily taken to avert
it. The Gravel Hill, whence all
the water is derived, is being gradually
cleared Of its timber. This clearing off Of
the woods has already affected the supply Of
water, and if the timber is, at any time, all
removed, and the land farmed, it viii
fail entirely, aud the whole expenditure in
the erection of reservoirs and laying Of drains
viii prove waste Of the public funds. The
Borough ROW possesses but a few acres of
land Immediately around the reservoir, aud
this has scarcely a shade tree upon It. We
have no assurance that the owners of Gravel
Hill viii permit their land to lie waste and
unproductiYe, as It is az present, for the pub
lie benefit, nor have we any reason to expect
it. As intelligent proprietors they may be
expected to remove the forests that now coF-
er it and bring the land under cultivation, in
order 10 render it remuneratiye. This it
woul0 be their right as well as their interest
TO do. But can the Borough afford to permit
it 70 be done, and be put to the necessity of
building new reservoirs, and bringing water
from some distant source, perhaps at heavy
expense, for the supply Of the town, when
the present supply may not only be preserved
but greatly increased by judicious and time
ly Improvement Of present opportunities
We understand that the Barclay heirs are
ready and willing to dispose of the portion
in their possession, which embraces the
whole north eastern portion Of the hill and
nearly all of the timber land, at a reasonable
price. Can the tax-p payers of the Borough
make more judicious expenditure Of their
money than to buy this property and plant
the part already cleared in shade trees, or
leave it to grow up gradually by which they
win secure a permanent supply Of the best of
water. By this means not only can the pres
eHt supply be preserved, bat It can be largely
increased by laying drains and bringing the
water Of the various Fprings that are now be-
yond their control, all into the present reser-
voir. and when the now cleared fields should
be again covered with forest or shade trees,
and sheltered from the direct rays Of the sun
and the action of the dry winds Of summer,
the quantity would be still further increased.
All who have any knowledge of the impor-
tance Of forests in preserving springs Of wa
ter viii see the importance Of our sugges-
ton There IS nothing more certain than
that the clearing off Of the woods now cover.
ing the summit of Gravel Hill would result in
the absolute drying up Of our present sources 1
Of water supply. How important then that
measures be at once taken to prevent any
such calamity. Why then NOT seize the gold. /
en- moment Of opportunity and secure, while /
we may, for the future, an abundant supply
Of water?