ess and profit to all concerned, but the small cost of
manufacturing an artificial water imitating the natural in taste and
appearance, and made even more sparkling and pungent by a heavy
charging with gas, the enormous extent of the patent medicine business
which has protruded itself in all directions, and to an overwhelming
extent, and the large percentage of profit which druggists now realize
on their goods, all these have interfered with the sale of pure
natural spring water. We assert as an indisputable fact that the
sale of artificial waters has been a serious and unjust detriment to
the reputation of natural mineral water.

[Illustration: STORE-ROOM, CONGRESS SPRING.]

Very little of the water sold on draught by druggists is genuine.
Several instances have fallen under the immediate notice of the
writer, in which druggists have obtained the photographs and trade
marks of a certain spring, by the purchase of a small quantity of
water, and then manufactured that which they sold on draught; and
instances are numerous in which druggists have overcharged consumers
for the bottled water.

We cannot too strongly urge those who wish to obtain Saratoga water
pure and fresh, to send _direct to the spring_ whose waters they
desire.

To the Superintendents of springs we suggest the supplying of the
waters through _grocers_, who can best handle both the barreled and
the bottled water, and will be most likely to sell it in its purity.
It should be made a _staple article_, and its merits as a beverage and
a preventive of disease brought to public notice. The use of the water
increases the appetite, and grocers would find its extended sale would
be an advantage to their business.

We believe our country would be better, and biliousness, dyspepsia,
fevers, and a long range of diseases more rare, if the natural waters
which God has provided were to become a standard article in our
groceries.

Special Notice.--The subscriber is desirous of making a
special study of the mineral springs of Saratoga. He will
gladly receive any reliable information which may be
communicated to him in regard to the history, properties, etc.,
of the various springs, or their effects in particular cases.
Such information will be acknowledged in future editions of
this work.

_Invalids who have received benefit or injury_ from the use of
the waters are earnestly requested to give a statement of t