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far as to determine if they are likely to prove of value, so that the sender may decide whether or not it may be worth while to go farther and incur the expense of a detailed quantitative analysis for commercial purposes. The Survey does not undertake the latter class of work under any ordinary circumstances.

MODE OF TAKING SAMPLES.—Since the value of any analysis is essentially dependent upon the correct sampling of the material, the following directions should be carefully observed when waters are sent for examination:

• 1. Not less than two wine bottles of the water should be sent in any case. An ample supply of material not only greatly facilitates the chemist's work, but also enables him to control at once, by repetition, any unexpected or questionable result he may have obtained.
• 2. Of irrigation or any other waters intended for quantitative analysis, at least two gallons should be sent in every case. Such samples should be put up in new, or very carefully cleansed, demijohns, and not in earthenware jugs, and least of all in tin or other metalic cans. In both of the latter class of vessels the water is almost sure to be so contaminated before arrival as to render the samples useless. Demijohns, and bottles as well, should be rinsed with sand or fine gravel (not with bird shot) until it is absolutely certain that nothing adheres to the inside, and until all odor of previous contents (vinegar, wine, molasses, whisky, etc.), has been removed. The corks used for closing should also be new, or, if used before, should be boiled with water until fully cleansed of all odors or adherent deposits.
• 3. The water should in all cases be taken directly from the well or spring when bottled. If gas escapes with the water, a sample of the gas should be collected in a bottle first filled with the water and then inverted in the spring basin so as to allow the gas to bubble into and fill the bottle, which should then be immediately corked under water, the cork promptly dried and then (after cutting down to the level of the bottle neck) carefully covered with sealing-wax, or bees-wax, if the former be not available.
• 4. All samples should be accompanied with a full statement of the location of the source of the water, of the depth of well, amount of water or flow of spring or stream; as far as possible of the nature of the rock or other material from which the water comes, and of all other facts bearing upon its nature and possible origin. In case of warm springs the temperature should also be given.

All such packages should be forwarded by express, charges prepaid.

E. T. DUMBLE,
State Geologist.

LIBRARY.

The need of library facilities becomes greater every day, and I have added as many books as possible during the year just closing by purchase and exchange. The acquisition by exchange of reports of State and Government Surveys, both in this country and in Europe, is aiding us materially in this direction.