St. Landry democrat., 1888-07-21
MAKING A ClSTERN.
Points That Have to Be Taken Into Com
sideration in Constructing 1t.

sideration in Constructing 1t.
1t is difficult to give directions fc
making cisterns that are applicable t
all parts of the country and for all pul
poses for which they are wanted.
many parts of Kentucky and Tennessee
where there is limestone immediatel
below the soil and where it is Difficult
to reach Giving" water by diggin
wells, the custom of making cister
by blasting a hole in the limestone
general. After the hole in the ston
has been made it is covered with thi]
stone, space being left for raising tn
water. The rain that falls on the roo
of a building is conducted into tn
cistern by pipes in the usual man
ner. A cistern constructed in thi
manner will last for ages ant
will require no repairs. If the
rain falls on a clean roof and passe:
through spouts that contain no i'm
purities, it will be quite pure when i
reaches the cistern and will remain il
that state. If the roof is covered with
shingles in a state of decay or there is
much dirt on the roof or in the spouts
that convey the rain to the cistern, the
water will, of course, be impure and il
time will become quite offensive.
In some parts of the country where
the sub-soil is very hard and tena-
clous clay, a cistern is made by exca-
waiting hole in it and coating the sides
and bottom with mortar made of good
hydraulic cement and shock silicious
sand. Such cistern will be cheap and
lasting. Its top can be "drawn in SO
that it will resemble that of a jug, or it
may be covered with thick plank that fit
tightly to the cement lining. When
the sub-soi is composed of loan or al.
ternate strata of clay and sand or vari-
Gus materials, the excavations NAV be
made as in hard clay and a lining
formed OF hard brick, like those used in
constructing sewers in cities. As all
brick are somewhat porous and as the
mortar in which they are laid is liable
to become soft and wash out it is advisa-
BILE to put coating of hydraulic cement
mortar On the walls and bottom. If
great care is taken in the selection OF
the brick, in laying them up and in the
preparation and application of the ce-
ment lining such cistern may last for
ages. An imperfection in the work or
materials, however, may result in a
leaky cistern.
Cisterns constructed in either of these
three ways will ''hold water" and will
keep it tolerably pure and sweet. They
can not, however, be relied upon to
furnish supply of soft water, such as
is desired for washing purposes. The
rain water that goes into them is soft,
but after it remains in the cistern made |
In limestone or lined with material that !
contains lime it will become hard. I'm.
after the cistern is filed the
water will be soft, that is, the soap that |
is used with it will not become foe.
culent. After few days, however,
it will begin to become hard, and in the
course OF a month it will be as unsuita-
bic for washing purposes as water taken
from well or spring. It's hardness
will be due to the lime it holds in solu.
ton. 1t displaces the potash or soda
in the soap and makes it insoluble.
Water that contains carbonic acid will
dissolve carbonate of lime in the form
of limestone or old mortar The first
ain that falls takes up considerable
acid from the air and obtains
more from the decay of vegetables it
comes in contact with. This ena.
'les it to dissolve the carbonate OF
ime, which results in making the water
lard.
For keeping water soft cistern
hould be made of wood. In most
'laces a wooden cistern is as cheap as
ny and it will give the best satisfac-
ion If it is designed for storing rain.
Eater to be used for washing purposes.
'isterns made of cypress wood have
zen in use in New Orleans for a cen. ,
lry and are still in a good state OF
reservation. Cisterns made of pine or i
'hite wood are in general use in this 6
tate and they give good satisfaction. :
he slaves are about two inches thick
hd the hoops are of heavy iron, ordi-
arily covered with paint or coal-tar.
hus protected they are not liable to
lst. The large oak casks used for i'm
orting wines and liquors make very =
bod cisterns for holding water, and =
IN often be obtained at low prices. If +
ne has not sufficient capacity for hold :,
lg all the water needed several can be !
led. To insure clean water in a cis- =
IN that which first falls should be re- T
cted. 1t contains dust collected in the G
r and the washings of the roof and :,
outs. The pipe that passes into the :.
stern should be furnished with sscut- :,
!, which can be opened and closed at r
easure. Any tinsmith can make one -
he does not keep them in stock.-Chi- =
go Times. :.
Higher Than Gifderoy's Kite. -