Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1885 — Purifying Drinking Water. [ARTICLE]

Purifying Drinking Water.

Professor Peter D. Austen, of Butgers College, has been carrying on for some time a number of observations and experiments with reference to drinking water. From a recent article of his the following conclusions are taken: The most practical material for domestic filtration is cotton batting. The simplest forth of filter is a tube, one end of which is stufied with cotton. A drain pipe is the best material, since it can be so easily cleansed. The plug of cotton should be from two to three inches thick, and may be held in place by a piece of w*ood at the joint of the Eipe, properly secured. A filter for ousehold purposes can be made out of A long-necked bottle, from which the bottom has been cracked. The neck of the bottle is stufied, and layers of cotton are placed in the bottle in small pieces until a layer from tw r o to three inches thick is made. Care should be taken that the cotton be not pressed down too tightly, nor left too lighty. The solution of alum is made as follows : Dissolve an ounce of alum in a cup of boiling water, and when dissolved pour into a quart measure, and fill with cold water. Add a teaspoonful, or about fifty-four drops, to every gallon of water to be filtered. No harm would follow even were two or more teaspoonfuls to be used. Having placed the amount of alum solution in the water to be filtered, stir it thoroughly in a large vessel, and pour out the same as required into the filter. The vessel used for holding the water tc be filtered must be kept scrupulously clean. 1 _