GARBAGE 137 



receptacles may be kept in a tolerably wholesome con- 

 dition, the garbage should be removed frequently, and 

 for this we must depend upon the faithfulness of the col- 

 lectors. The vessels themselves should occasionally be 

 cleaned. If not cleaned, they give rise to unpleasant, 

 unwholesome odors in or around the house. They may 

 become the breeding places for flies and prove to be in 

 general a considerable nuisance. 



The chief trouble with such garbage cans is their smell 

 and unsightliness, but these difficulties are removed if the 

 cans are kept clean. It is not difficult to clean them. Cold 

 water for washing garbage cans is of very little use ; but if 

 they are thoroughly washed with very hot water they can be 

 kept so clean that they emit no odor and are not unpleas- 

 ant. Since putrefaction is due to bacterial growth it is of 

 course possible to prevent the smell and decay of the gar- 

 bage by the use of disinfectants. Borax might be used for 

 the purpose, but it is expensive ; and the use of more vigor- 

 ous disinfectants is likely to make the material poisonous 

 to hogs subsequently fed upon it, or to dogs who very fre- 

 quently feed upon the contents of the garbage receptacle. 

 Such disinfectants are quite unnecessary, and the only 

 thing that the housewife needs to do is to keep the garbage 

 can tolerably clean, and to see that it is emptied as fre- 

 quently as possible. She should remember, however, that 

 she cannot depend upon the garbage man to clean the recep- 

 tacle. He will simply empty it. If the garbage can gets 

 to smelling offensively, a thorough washing with hot water 

 and sal soda applied vigorously with an old broom will make 

 a great improvement. Naturally greater attention must 

 be given to the matter in the summer than in the winter. 



