154 HOW WASTES ARK KKMOVEI) I ROM THE HOME 



drains under the surface of the ground. This sewage is 

 now quite harmless, as all organic contents have been 



A septic tank. 



decomposed or oxidized by the bacteria, so that no harm 

 can come from it. Several different types of septic tanks 

 are now on the market, and they are infinitely better than 

 the old type of cesspool. The liquid leaving the septic 

 tank contains much valuable fertilizing material, and is 

 generally used on the home garden. 



Sanitary garbage pails and their care. We have already 

 learned that flies feed and lay their eggs in garbage. The 

 garbage pail should be of metal so that it can easily be scalded 

 and should have a tight-fitting cover. During the summer 

 it should be emptied every day or two, as otherwise the 

 bacteria of decay will cause the refuse contained in it to 

 smell badly. If the garbage is not taken up by a collector 

 it ought to be either burned or buried so deep that the 

 flies cannot get at it. If we live on a farm all the fresh 

 garbage should be fed to the , pigs or chickens daily. The 

 pail should be kept covered in an inconspicuous place and, 

 as every good housewife knows, should be sterilized with 



