J. S. A.
May 15, 1854.
Footnote 1:[(return)]
Owing to an error in my original MS., or of the printers, they were called the "gods," instead of their gods, answering to the ancient penates.
Vide Nicholas to the Commandant of Odessa.
ARTESIAN WELLS.
(Vol. ix., p. 222.)
Your correspondent Stylites is strongly advised not to set about making, or rather endeavouring to make, a well of this description till he has been well advised of the feasibility of the scheme in his particular locality. The old adage will apply in this case, "Ex quovis ligno," &c. It is not everywhere that an artesian well can be obtained with any depth of bore; that is, a well which shall bring its water to or above the surface of the ground. But if, on sufficient knowledge of the mineralogical structure of the country, it be declared that a well of the true artesian sort cannot be obtained, Stylites should dig his well, say fifteen or twenty feet deep, and "stein" it, and then bore in search of a spring, unless a sufficient supply is already obtained from the surface drainage. A moderate outlay in this way, unless the impervious stratum be of very great thickness indeed, will generally bring up water, with a natural tendency to rise within reach of a common pump, or of a well-bucket at the least.
But it may still happen that the water of the bore has not this natural tendency. In that case the sinking of the well may be continued till the water is reached, and a sufficient depth of reservoir obtained at the bottom.