Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-11-06
WHERE WATER is SCARCE.
4 Missouri Mans Plan TO Have Plenty Of
Spring Water on Tap.

4 Missouri Mans Plan TO Have Plenty Of
Spring Water on Tap.
1t is possible for every farmer to have
living spring water ON his land, accord
ing to John c. Bender of this city, who
claims to have solved the problem. For
years there has been a shortage in the
water supply in this part Of the state,
and, in fact, such is the case in other
states, but according to Mr.. Bender's
theory-and he has proved it-he has
solved a mystery that will prove a bless
ing and a benediction not only to rural
folk, but to others who may happen to
own as much as an acre Of ground. As
the most suitable point for demonstrate
ing the efficiency Of his scheme, Mr..
Bender selected the county farm. The
water supply has cost the county an i'm
mense sum Of money, and not until the
present time has there been sufficient
water on the premises This is the re-
suit of a spring that has been made.
At considerable expense several
years ago the county court had a well
dug 45 feet deep and ~ feet in diam
eter. There was little or no water, and
another plan was hit upon which was
expected to prove efficient. 1t was to
bore we'll at a much greater depth n
short distance away, when it was ex-
pectcd the water would come toward
the surface at height that would per-
NIT of the use Of transfer pipe to the
big we'll Something over 1000 feet
was reached and 10 water.
The location Of these wells was at
the base Of a slope draining something
like five acres and it was the theory Of
Mr.. Bender that he could store the sur
face water in a way that had never
been done and the supply would be con-
slant. 4 trench about 100 feet in length
was dug along the side of the hill,
which had a depth Of six feet at the
beginning and ten feet in the end, This
trench was filled with rock on base Of
pounded stone. The top was covered
with earth and the results Of the first
rainfall carefully watched.
The head Of the trench was later on
enlarged by the removal Of several
wagon loads Of earth and the space filled
up with stone and iron. The latter acted
as a purifier to clarity the water. The
effect was a complete surprise to the
county officials. The actual expense Of
the experiment was less than 500. For
years the county had been at an expense
of little less than 81, 600 a year for men
and teams to haul water to the county
farm, and since the Bender scheme was
put into effect there has been no outlay
whatever and the water supply Is bet
ter than il has ever been. The big 40
foot well has been filled and the over
flow goes into a reservoir below, to be
used in emergency, after being filtered
and flowing back into the we'll
True il is there has been abundant
rainfall this summer, and Mr. Bender
says with the use Of rainfall of winter
and spring there will be an abundant
supply the remainder Of the season. The
plan is so simple and the cost so little
that the scheme has attracted the atten-
ton Of representatives. Of many counties
in this state as well as Kansas, Ne
braska and Iowa.
An inch Of rain falling upon an acre
Of ground amounts to q, 900 gallons Of
water On rolling ground oue-half or
more Of this water runs off, and the
balance soaks into the soil. 1t is well
known fact that many soils donot absorb
the water readily, and this Is the case
in the territory Of northwestern Mis-
souri, and portions Of other states,
But, according to the theory Of Mr..
Bender, this water can be stored in
trenches and the moisture held in the
ground for the gradual use Of fields,
lawns and gardens.
The state geologist has given the
plan a high Endorsement since he has
seen the practical effect, and farmers
and fruit growers and others as well
are beginning the construction OF ditch
es. y large delegation Of Holt county
residents was in the city today and
made q personal inspection Of the water
supply at the county farm. The secret
Of the success Of the present plan lies III
the fact that it costs very little and Is
exceedingly simple st. Joseph Cor.
Chicago Record.