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ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



This, calculated upon the 19-5 lbs. of product, gives the following 

 quantities and values of fertilizing constituents: — 



This product of the inside experiment is almost the same in value 

 as that obtained in the outside closet as above described, and shows an 

 equally great deficiency of fertilizing constituents, which is no doubt 

 attributable to the same causes as in the first experiment. If we com- 

 pare the average produce of these two experiments, in lbs. per person 

 per annum, with the- product of fertilizing substances according to the 

 authorities above mentioned, and calculate the percentage of the de- 

 ficiencies, we obtain the following figures: — 



These enormous deficiencies show that in calculating the quantity 

 of fertilizing materials obtainable from human refuse in towns and 

 cities it is quite impossible to rely upon the results of direct experiments 

 on individuals. The greatest deficiency is found in the case of the 

 nitrogen, and since it is the most valuable fertilizing substance, and 

 84% of the nitrogen in human excreta is contained in the urine, it 

 beenied of advantage to inquire as to how ihc loss of this element in the 

 treatment of moss manure is sustained. With this end in view, the 

 following laboratory experiment was carried out: — 



A cylindrical wire basket, 8 inches high and 6 inches in diameter, 

 Avith meshes f inch wide, was nearly filled with a mixture of moss 

 manure and fresh moss litter. The moss manure was the product of 



