Cesspools 



221 



be found within reasonable distance of the dwell- 

 ing, and yet not too near to it to endanger 

 health or pollute the water supply, a cesspool 

 may be constructed. A hole some ten feet in 

 circumference and ten to twelve feet deep, dug 

 in the earth, walled with stone without mortar, 

 may serve for catching and filtering the sewage. 

 On top of the wall, which should not reach the 

 surface of the ground by about two feet, lay two 

 pieces of railroad iron, and on these place large 

 flat stones, covering all with dirt, providing, 

 however, for ventilation by 

 means of a 4-inch iron 

 pipe, which should be long 

 enough to reach a little 

 above the surface of the 

 ground when all is com- 

 pleted. 



If the soil is not as por- 

 ous as is desired, lay sev- 

 eral tile or stone drains at 

 a depth of three to five feet, 

 and extend them from the 

 cesspool some distance out 

 into the field or grounds 

 beyond. (Fig. 87.) These 

 drains should have free outlets, and the longer 

 they are the better. At the outlet of the drains 

 plant willows or some other water-loving, fast- 



rig. 87. Plan of a cesspool. 



