216 The Farmstead 



same level and near the kitchen, for waste wash 

 water, etc., from the chambers, saves many steps, 

 and is far more sanitary than throwing slops on 

 the ground outside the house or carrying them 

 to the outhouse. 



The chief problem is the outhouse, or i)rivy 

 vault. There is no more disgusting or unsani- 

 tary feature of rural life than this ill -smelling, 

 dirty hole in the ground, from which the filth 

 permeates the surrounding soil, and may con- 

 taminate the water supply. Much discomfort 

 and some digestive ills arise from the neces- 

 sity — especially for women — of going a consid- 

 erable distance in cold weather and at night, to 

 such places. The closet should, therefore, be as 

 near the house as is compatible with decency, 

 and should be reached by a covered walkway. 

 If properly built and regularly disinfected and 

 cleaned, it need be neither disgusting nor un- 

 sanitary. The wooden house should never be 

 papered nor carpeted, but should be painted or 

 whitewashed yearly and kept scrupulously clean. 

 The habitual use of ashes or dry earth in the 

 receptacle and an occasional application of some 

 disinfectant, such as copperas or chloride of 

 lime, is necessary. If drawers are used in the 

 privy, they may be hauled out frequently by 

 horse; and with the liberal use of road dust, no 

 offense arises. The writer knows a country 



