Personally the writer has found in several cities more or less difficulty in obtaining the genuine water.  He therefore offers a few suggestions on the present mode of exportation.

For many years the sale of spring water has been chiefly conducted by druggists.  In the earlier days the business was conducted with fairness 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 their experience.  Communications of this sort will be held confidential.

     Proprietors of springs in other places are also requested to
     send circulars and other information in regard to their several
     springs.