APPLYING NIGHT SOIL. 271 



we are led to believe that the safer and more economical, cer- 

 tainly the more sanitary, method of using, is to bury it in the 

 soil with the plough, after mixing thoroughly with earth or peat, 

 and just enough of either to facilitate the spreading evenly over 

 the surface. Some prefer adding water and distributing broad- 

 cast directly from the cart, rather than compost before spread- 

 ing. Some labor is saved by the last named method, which is 

 worthy of consideration ; and unless the material to be used 

 contains some fertilizing properties, or the mechanical condition 

 of the soil is improved by the addition, the extra labor may as 

 well be dispensed with. 



Every effort should be made on the part of citizens who 

 expect tillers of the soil or others to act the part of scaven- 

 gers, while they (the citizens,) are quietly resting on their 

 couches, dreaming pleasantly, to facilitate the operation of 

 clearing vaults by giving easy access, and also keeping tightly 

 closed that water may not enter from the outside. It would 

 seem to be the dictate of common sense that no pains should be 

 spared in a dense population to prevent the escape of noxious 

 odors which are liable, when neglected, to emanate from such 

 depositories. When appropriate means are used to keep down 

 offensive exhalations, the manure is correspondingly enhanced 

 in value, so that two points are gained while aiming to secure 

 the one which a salubrious state of the surrounding atmosphere 

 imperatively demands. 



Comparatively few, we apprehend, are aware of the great loss 

 which is sure to ensue when the clearing of vaults, as they are 

 ordinarily constructed, is not attended to in the spring or on the 

 approach of warm weather, at which time fermentation and 

 decomposition of privy deposits commences and progresses more 

 rapidly than with any other manure. We have known instances 

 where this clearing was omitted till autumn, and the additions 

 were continually made through the summer ; so large an 

 amount had escaped by decomposition, evaporation and filtra- 

 tion, that scarcely more was then secured than might have been 

 in the spring. Besides the waste and loss of nutriment to the 

 soil which ought to have been saved and appropriated, the 

 amount of air tainted by such exhalations will make a thought- 

 ful and sensitive man shudder. Careless heedlessness, stench 



