186 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



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 and limbs, and haul a few wagon loads of rich earth and spread it 



beneath the tree, and spade or plow it in. In some instances it 

 would be infinitely better to remove the tree root and branch, and 

 transplant a young tree. We have known cherry trees and pear 

 trees that had failed to bear for several years rendered eminently 

 productive, by simply erecting a fence around them, as far as the 

 branches extended, making numerous holes in the ground, drop- 

 ping kernels of Indian corn into the holes, and confining a few 

 swine in the yard, which Avould root the entire ground over and 

 over and fertilize it with their droppings. This is an experiment 

 that any one can try with safety to the tree. Rooting over the 

 earth and manuring it may render the tree productive and it may 

 not. 



How TO Build Privies. 



Mr. S. Edward Todd. — One of the best ways to manage the 

 fecal matter of privies is, to raise the privy up about eighteen 

 inches higher than they usually stand ; and instead of having a 

 vault or cistern beneath the superstructure, place a water-tight 

 chest made of inch boards beneath the seat of the privy. The chest 

 or box should be about one foot deep and fourteen inches wide. 

 The inside should be smeared liberally with coal tar. Four 

 wooden handles may be secured to the corners, so that two men 

 could handle it with ease. A pailful or more of water should be 

 poured into the sink every day, as water is a cheap and most con- 

 venient deodorizer. Every day a few pounds of gypsum should 

 be scattered over the contents of the sink, and then covered with 

 a sprinkling of muck or garden mould. By this means the expense 

 of making a deep costly vault, which is alwaj's a nuisance in hot 

 weather, can be avoided, and several tons of the choicest quality 

 of manure can be made by every family every season. By keep- 

 ing water in the sink, and stirring up the contents every day, the 

 offensive odor will all be retained in the water ; and when the 

 sink is half full, two men can remove it, and deposit the accumu- 

 lation in a bed of muck, or directly in the garden, and cover it 

 with earth. 



Recess. — On motion the club adjourned to meet on the 4th day 

 of September. 



