Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1893-12-08
AgricUifuruL Bulletin No. 2.
To THE Public:

To THE PUBLIC;
Among the many important pro-
blems awaiting investigation by |
the Department of Chemistry of
the Experiment Station, University |
of Idaho, none claim more immed-
late attention than an examination
of our potable waters. Reliable
information on this subject will be
valuable not only to. the resident
miner, or farmer, or fruit grower;
but to all prospective immigrants.
Good, wholesome water and
plenty of it is an important item
that enters largely into the choice
of a home either in the country or
city. Our state is greatly diversi-
fled in its physical features, such
as altitude, soil and climate, and
all these characteristics affect
the purity Of drinking waters,
aside from the fact that the
"alkali" plains offer special lines
of study pertaining to potable
waters. For instance, some spring
water which has supplied the needs
of many a family has exerted no
deleterious effect upon the system.
yet does possess unusual phenom-
ena of color, odor and taste at diff,
erent times during the year. One
we'll near Moscow suddenly yielded
such unwholesome water last
spring as to make its further use
dangerous. Later the quality inn
proved and the water is now in
daily use.
Influenced by these and other
conditions, the Station Council of
the University Of Idaho has decid-
ed to issue a preliminary bulletin,
in the near future, on the drinking
waters of the State, and requests
all persons interested to forward
samples of drinking water to the
Central Station, together with such
data as will enable the chemist to
conduct successfully the investi
cation.
That these analyses may be of
the greatest value and deductions
therefrom pertinent, it is not only
necessary that the samples be talk
en- from many and widely, remote
sections of the state, but that every
precaution be used to secure water
free from outside contamination.
Strictly mineral water is not
desired but water from springs,
dug wells and bored wells used for
culinary and drinking purposes,
etc. Sample and ship according to
the following directions.
l. For sanitary analysis not
less than one gallon should be sent.
.. Use only demijohns and jugs
as containers; metallic vessels or
casks must not be employed.
3. Thoroughly cleanse the
vessel with warm water, then rinse
several times with sample water
Treat the cork likewise, if not
new. Thoroughly secure cork in
place.
4. In all cases, secure an aver
age sample and take the water di'
rect from spring, well or hydrant.
.. The sample should be plainl,
and accurately addressed, and
should be accompanied by state
ment giving information on tn,
immediate surroundings of tn,
spring or well; depth of same
source of supply and whethel
abundant or meagre; effect of rain
fall or drouth on the volume; some
account of the strata through
which the well or flow has passed
temperature of water; and whethe
used for domestic purposes only
Such data should be positive an'
not hearsay information.
Water sampled according t
these directions will be analyzc,
free of charge.
Forward all packages by ey
press, prepaid, to the "Agricultura
Experiment Station, University {
Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
C. w. McCURDY, Chemist.
Moscow, November 1898.