SECRETARY'S REPORT. 277 



In addition, the growth of the suburbs of Paris is now so 

 rapid that the depot for the night-soil of the city will soon have 

 to be removed from Bondy much nearer to the farm, when 

 better roads will be opened, giving nearer access both to Paris 

 and to towns where large sugar refineries and distilleries are in 

 full play, important elements of future success. 



The construction of the railway through the farm led at first 

 to serious difficulties. The engine-house for raising the liquid 

 from the canal-boats had to be removed, and this caused a 

 delay of the irrigation by pipes till the month of June, 1860. 

 It also interfered with the outfall of the main drain so as to 

 require a new»one, while the tunnel which passed under the 

 canal had to be lowered, as it was brought into too close prox- 

 imity with the reservoir. These operations were begun in the 

 fall, but unfortunately the contractor failed, and yet the work 

 had to be pushed forward at any cost, through rain and frost, 

 hardship and danger to workmen, and teaming very wearing 

 and laborious to the cattle, so that the work cost a thousand 

 dollars, instead of four hundred for which it had been contracted. 



As the plan of the application of liquid manure here was 

 that of irrigation, by the tubular system, drainage was of course 

 an essential preliminary. It was estimated that to drain the 

 whole would require an outlay of $6,000, or over $25 per acre; 

 so that a loan was effected. A competent engineer was em- 

 ployed to lay out and superintend the work, which was surveyed, 

 certified and paid for by the government district engineer, the 

 necessary advances being made as the work proceeded, bearing 

 an interest of five per cent. 



The main drains, two and three-quarter inches in diameter, 

 follow round the hollows, between the undulating surfaces, 

 converging towards an old waste, in which basins or sinks have 

 been formed. Pipes, of a little less than an inch and a fifth 

 (1.18) bore, are laid from 13 to 16 yards apart, at an average 

 depth of 51 inches, in clay mixed with marl and sand. Air 

 drains are run on a higher level, just as the head drains follow 

 the depressions, and the top or head is indicated by an air-chim- 

 ney, the same as in the lowest point of outfall, by the well 

 which acts as a cesspool. There is thus a double circulation ; 

 whilst the water flows downwards the air is constantly mounting 

 upwards, penetrating the soil and conveying oxygen to the 



