CHAPTER IV 



THE DISPOSAL OF REFUSE 



IT should be the aim of every street-cleaning authority 

 to study the character of the wastes produced in his 

 city to the end not only that they may be collected 

 economically, but that they may be turned as far as 

 possible to some useful purpose and compensate in some 

 degree through sale, utilization upon land, hog feeding, 

 or the production of steam power, for the cost of collec- 

 tion. No profitable use can be made of wastes once they 

 become mixed and scattered in the streets. Even horse 

 droppings must be collected instantly to be of service as 

 manure. 



The whole theory of economical utilization pre- 

 supposes that the useful ingredients of city wastes shall 

 be gathered together into relatively large Theor 

 quantities with the smallest expenditure of Economical 

 time and money. It will help to a clearer 

 understanding of this subject if we consider some of 

 the different kinds of material which a city scavenger 

 must handle. 



Waste is a term which, in its broadest sense, should 

 be understood to mean something which is parted with 

 by its possessor as not of sufficient value to V aiueof 

 him to keep. When it is cast away it is city Wastes 

 converted from private property to public property. 

 Waste, when thrown into the streets, must be removed 

 at public expense and may be utilized and turned to 



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