MODERN METHODS OF STREET CLEANING 



When a sufficient number of households have been 

 aroused in this manner, the attendant returns to his 

 companion and helps empty the receptacles of refuse 

 in a systematic manner. The celerity and efficiency 

 exhibited by these scavengers is surprising in view of 

 the fact that their work is obviously carried on at a 

 disadvantage. 



The employment of household refuse for the making 



of compost is such a common procedure in Holland 



and has so many theoretical merits to rec- 



Compost 



ommend it for small cities that a few words 

 about it may be of interest. It seems surprising 

 that composting has not been more often practiced in 

 America. 



To compost refuse it is put into heaps about 20 feet 

 long by 10 feet wide by 5 feet high. The heaps are 

 well wet down when they are first made, the wetting 

 being done in a careful manner and with material such 

 as the contents of cesspools. After six months or so 

 the compost heap is opened and dug over. It now 

 has a dark, disintegrated appearance and is ready to 

 be used as fertilizer. The change which has taken 

 place in the refuse is due to bacterial activities. The 

 action should first be carried on by anaerobic bacteria 

 and later by bacteria which require a free access of 

 air. A compost heap once made should be kept rather 

 dry on the outside, but it is not necessary to shelter it 

 from the weather. 



Besides attending to the sewerage and removing and 

 disposing of house refuse, the city cleaning depart- 

 ment has charge of the sprinkling and sanding of streets 

 to avoid slipperiness, the care of lavatories and public 

 comfort stations and the removal of snow. 



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