desirable, and, when properly filtered and kept in clean cisterns
protected from the larvae of mosquitoes and other disease-bearing
insects, it is also the best for drinking purposes. To one accustomed
to drinking hard water from a well or spring, rain water is a little
unpalatable, but after he is accustomed to its use he will prefer it.
It is always wise to secure an analysis of the drinking water of the
house, since water reputed pure because of its clearness and coldness
is as apt as any other to be contaminated. Where soft water is not
available for household use, hard water may be softened by the addition
to it of pearline or soda, or by boiling, in the latter case the lime
in it being precipitated to the bottom of the kettle or boiler.

When well water is used for drinking some knowledge of the geology of
the home grounds is essential. Thus, because the top of a well is on
higher ground than the cess-pool is no reason for assuming that the
contents of the latter may not seep into the water, for the inclination
of the strata of the rocks may be in a contrary direction to that of
the surface of the ground.

When filters and strainers are used they should be carefully cleaned at
regular intervals, since if they are permitted to accumulate impurities
they become a source of contamination instead of its remedy. Every once
in a while the housekeeper should take off the strainers from the
faucets and boil them.

There are many excellent systems for obtaining water power for the house
in the country, each of which has its special advantages. The pumping of
water to a tank at the top of the house by a windmill is that most
commonly used. This is the cheapest method, but the most unsightly.
Small kerosene or hot-air engines may be employed for the power at very