The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-30
FARM AND
GARDEN ~
INTERESTS
The Farm Water Supply.

w. w. Stevens, in Ohio Farmer.
One of the greatest conveniences on the
farm is a bountiful and convenient supply
of water for use in house and barn. We
often wonder why 1t is that so many farm
ers neglect making provisions for this sup
ply when it is possible for it to be done
easily and cheaply, no matter what the
natural surroundings may be.
The first step necessary in every instance,
of course, is to provide the water. On a
small per cent. of farms this provision is
made by flowing springs. In some sections
of the country wells may be driven easily
and cheaply. At an expense of about SIS
per foot drilled wells may be had in almost
any place if they are sunk deep enough.
Then, as a last resort, we have the els
tern to fall back on, which we consider
preferable TO all other water supplies that
can be provided for all uses. With large
cistern at house and barn an abundance Of
water for all purposes may be provided,
and by the way, it is the only water that
is fit to be used to supply the house. Hard
water is an abomination in kitchen, laundry
or bath When properly cared for the els
tern furnishes purer water than can be had
from any other source, unless it is that
then it is likely to contain mineral elements
that make il Objectionable.
From whatever source the water supply
may be obtained some means must be pro-
vided to put it into the barn and house. The
windmill is probably the cheapest engine
that can be procured for this purpose. As to
tanks, after testing nearly all kinds, we pre-
fer the air-tight iron ones, placed in the
cellar or sunk anywhere in the ground. The
same power that will raise water to an ele-
waited tank will force it into the alright
tank below the ground, and the air pressure
in this tank will force the water to any
point that is desired.
This sort of an arrangement Is most de-
sirable about the house. Tanks placed In
the attic are always unsatisfactory. We
never know when they may spring leak
and ruin the plastering ana injure the
house, and. besides, in winter time they are
liable TO freeze and burst, making Ii neces-
sary quite frequently to shut off the water
supply for twelve or fifteen weeks during
the severe winter weather.
If you want waterworkS for the house that
are in every way satisfactory, get a tank
made of boiler iron that will hold ten or
twelve barrels place this in the cellar. Con-
meet II by some sort OF force pump with the
| cistern. Then from the tank let pipes lead
off TO every room in the house II you like.
Provide cut-offs on all pipes in the cellar so
| that the water may not run into unused
rooms in winter, and thus save pipes from
| to do your pumping you can use man power.
Ten minutes time each day will do the
| pumping necessary to keep up the ordinary
water supply for the house.
Forcing water into the air-tight tank
gives all the pressure that is needed A
pressure of five pounds will carry water to
| the second story of the house. The pres
sure may be increased as much as
may be desired by more pumping With
good sized tank pumping may be done
at odd times, and for use several days
| ahead that ii is best always TO buy a
large tank. good strong force pump is
necessary. This pump should be so ar
| ranged that, when it is not used to force
water into the tank, by attaching q hose
| the lawn and flower beds could be sprinkled
| or water elevated for any other purpose
The cost of the complete outfit will be
! less than $780, Ours cost about one-half
| this amount. as luckily got a twelve
barrel tank, made of one-half-inch boiler
| iron for So The pump cost SIS and neces-
sary piping about $40. Thus We have a
| most satisfactory system of waterworks
1 that costs us the interest on the invest
I ment or say 90 a year. like supply OF
| water obtained from town or city water
works would cost SO or S12 per year In
! one case you have a supply of pure, soft
/ water for all purposes; in the other you
| have river or creek water that is never
pure and usually being hard, is unfit for
| laundry or bath use. This luxury once in
| dulged in the users will ever after wonder
| how they lived without IL.