'94 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



paper, etc., from passing through with the 

 water. Pipe " J " permits the entry of 

 fresh air, which passes over the sewage and 

 up through the soil pipe '' E " to the roof. 

 Manholes " G " " G " provide access to both 

 tanks. 



The operation of the tank is as follows: 

 All the sewage from the building enters the 

 tank through pipe "E" filling compartment 

 No. I, the solids being compelled to float by 

 the gasses generated underneath. When 

 this compartment is filled the liquid over- 

 flows through "F" into compartment No. 2, 

 the valve "C" of which is closed. When, 

 however, the liquid rises to the level at which 

 float "H" is set the valve opens, discharging 

 the whole contents of compartment No. 2, 

 be it fifty or five thousand gallons into the 

 system of sub-surface tiles through which it 

 soaks into the earth, there to be taken care 

 of by nature as already explained. 



As the valve closes automatically when 

 the tank is nearly empty, it will be seen that 

 sufficient time will be given for that which 

 has just been discharged to soak away be- 

 fore the tank fills again and the operation is 

 repeated. 



A word respecting the solid portion of the 

 sewage retained in compartment No. i. The 

 value of the system will be appreciated when 

 it is stated that so thorough is the action of 



the millions of bacteria on this body, caus- 

 ing the almost immediate disintegration and 

 decomposition of everything entering the 

 tank, that tanks when opened after a year's 

 use, and into which the sewage from build- 

 ings containing many inmates was emptied, 

 were found to contain not more than two or 

 three pails full of a kind of earthy substance, 

 from which scarcely any odor was percepti- 

 ble. It must be borne in mind, of course, 

 that no disinfectants are necessary with this 

 system, and nothing in the shape of chemi- 

 cals should be allowed to enter the tank if 

 the life of the bacteria, which is so essential 

 to its success, is to be preserved. 



Regarding the size of the tank necessary, 

 it may be said that for an ordinary family a 

 tank four feet long by three feet wide, and 

 from thirty to thirty-six inches high would 

 be sufficient, while for hotels or institutions 

 one large enough to hold about twelve gal- 

 lons for each inmate would be ample. 



The septic tank system has the endorsa- 

 tion of all scientific men who have given the 

 subject of sewage disposal close study. It 

 will not give any trouble if built according' 

 to the directions given, and, contrary to the 

 general supposition it will not freeze in win- 

 ter ; if the tiles are placed under a garden 

 most valuable results may be obtained in 

 flowers, fruit or vegetables. 



Glaz9d 7Z^<-s 



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