SEWAGE OF LONDON AND OTHER LARGE TOWNS. 159 
except in particular states of the weather, and in certain 
stages of the growth of the crops to which it is applied.’’”* 
The precipitation processes by lime, &c., even though at 
present commercially valueless, ought to be persisted in, 
if it is only in our power to deal with largely diluted 
sewage. But, according to Hofmann and Witt, not more 
than one-third of the fertilizing constituents can be thus 
separated. It is obvious, therefore, that we should deal 
with the sewage in a more concentrated form and before 
it is diluted with rain and other comparatively clear water. 
The separate system has been frequently advocated, but 
there is some doubt whether sewage in a concentrated 
form would flow through a long series of pipes of very mo- 
derate inclination. With these facts before me I see no 
alternative but a return to the cesspool system, to which 
I believe no inconvenience or nuisance attaches, except 
where it is attempted carelessly and with inefficient me- 
chanical and other appliances. The following is a plan 
which I venture to recommend in places where water- 
closets are generally used. 
I would place in the centre of the streets, cesspools 
having a capacity of about 1000 gallons. Each cesspool 
to be for the use of some 400 inhabitants, say 50 houses, 
and to collect water from urinals, cab stands, &c. The 
present sewers to be solely employed in carrying off rain 
and other comparatively clear water. 
A drain, or generally two drains of considerable inclina- 
tion extending from the cesspool up and down the street, 
to receive the water-closet pipes from the houses on both 
sides of the street. The total length of drain would be 
about 200 yards. 
A force-pump, permanently fixed in the cesspool, to be 
used every night for the purpose of pumping out the sew- 
age collected in it during the last 24 hours. 
* Report, p. 104. 
