The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-07-16
OUR ARTEslAN WATER.
by DR.. L. Milliron, Kimbali
Dakota.

wator is the topic OF the day: One year ago
we wore at loss to know whether water IN
so ficient to supply Kimball's demand
could be found. After faithfully laboring for
several months, We succeeded, and now we have |
it in abundance. though impregnated with !
minerals. Analysis shows that it is not IN alkali,
as has been supposed. 1t contains gypsum. an !
oxide Of magnesium. aud iron. The magnesium
has the power Of attracting some principle from
the air, causing disagreeable odor, such ~ Is
at the artesian we'll, and is always found in gyp
sum mines. The native gypsum, or sulphate OF
lime, contains % parts of lime, 40 Of sulphurio
acid, and 10 of water. The water escapes when
exposed to heat of 400 degrees Fahrenheit;
thus We have an oxide, or q compound OF oxy-
gen, and base destitute Of acid and salifying
properties. am unable to say to what extent
these minerals exist believe it is sufficient to
say that they exist Accustom yourself to ono
spring, we'll or cistern and then change to anoth-
or, and you will ind that it will act laxative
and as cathartic, il taken in excess. The water
now under discussion is quite the reverse, as
when indulged in for any length Of time it has .
tendancy to constipate, and the alvine evacua-
items will show the presence OF iron. The iron
is readily precipitated by allowing the water to
run. or pass over the ground, for Q distance Of
three or four hundred feet, as from the we'll to
the lake. The precipltate. or sediment. is read
lily observed at tho bottom of the ditch that
leads to the lake. Thus We find tho water Of the
lake. less hard, owing to the absence of iron.
and were it free from frogs &C., it would be
much preferred to the water direct from the
we'll for all purposes. find that tin pail that
has been used as water pail and no water but
the artesisn well water, will last but from two
to three months. while one used the same length
OF time. and no water allowed in it except from
the lake. will be nearly or quite as good rs wher
first used, showing the effect of tho iron on the
tin. Another and useful experiment is, to take
one pint of water direct from the we'll. and add
one OF. Of sweet milk, and place over Ere and
allow it to effervesce and you will at once dis
cover All iron hue and the coagulation Of the
| milk. Again, try the same experiment with the
water from the lake, and you have the ssme
result as in the first, except the iron hue. TheE
try the same experiment with cistern water
alone and no change will take place. Now try
cistsrn water, one half pint, and one or two grs.
of prepared gypsum and continue as in tho first
| experiment, and you have exactly the same re-
| suit as in the second experiment. namely coagu-
| lation Of the milk and absence OF iron tinge.
Thus find that the water from the artesian we'll
holds in solution sulphate of lime or Gypsum
| and Iron, but no Alkall. have experimented
| with Barium DC. as recommended in chemistry
with like results. Hotel cooks, &c. will save
time and expense by first boiling the water and
allowing it to settle, and separate before using
| for oysters puddinRs &c,