For drinking, and for all ordinary purposes, it is of the greatest
importance that water should be as pure as possible. When water which is
nearly soft, and wholly free from organic impurities, cannot be obtained
from wells or springs, filtered rain water should be employed. A very
useful filter can be easily and cheaply constructed in the following
manner:—
Make a hole low down in the side, or in the bottom, of a large earthen
jar or flower-pot. Place in the bottom of the vessel a few clean stones
about the size of eggs. Fill the jar to within two or three inches of
the top with equal parts of fine, clean gravel and pulverized charcoal.
Cover the jar with a clean, white cloth, securing the edges by a string
drawn about the top. The center of the cloth cover should be allowed to
hang down into the vessel so as to form a hollow into which the water
may be poured, the cloth serving as a strainer to remove the coarser
dirt. The cloth should be frequently cleansed, and the gravel and
charcoal should be renewed at least once a year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------