UTILIZATION OF SEWAGE. 63 



not cnjoj^ed here. lie exhibits a sample of Boston's sewage 

 to show that the enormous dilution renders it very nearly 

 worthless as a fertilizer. On the other hand, he argues that 

 the custom of admitting to our sewers all excrementitious 

 matter gives to the sewage a richness which would require 

 at least one acre to. every hundred of inhabitants. This con- 

 flict of statement renders it difficult to know if he considers 

 it too rich or too poor in fertilizing properties to be used 

 here. In regard to the sample shown, it should be remem- 

 bered that the gross appearances (color and sediment) are 

 no guide to the amount of fertilizing properties contained 

 in the bottle. Urine may be nearly transparent, and yet 

 contain more fertilizing properties than an equal bulk of 

 foecal matter. In reality, there is no material difference in 

 the composition of the sewage. 



In Berlin, Dantzic and Breslau, cesspools have been sup- 

 pressed, and all water-closets are by law compelled to be 

 connected with the sewers. 



Durand-Claye, chief engineer of bridges and streets of 

 Paris, after an extensive study of drainage in Germany, 

 writes : " There, it is admitted without question, that muni- 

 cipal healthfulness depends upon three principles. First, 

 the total discharge of Avater-closets in sewers. Second, the 

 distribution of an abundant supply of water and frequent 

 flushing of drains. Third, the purification of sewage by 

 soil and agriculture." Paris dilutes her sewage equal to that 

 of Boston, by a lavish use of water in washing streets each 

 morning. Edinburg has had water-closets connected with 

 her sewers for fifty years, and there but one acre is employed 

 for every thousand people. 



On the other hand, the Rivers Pollution Commission of 

 England, have proved that the exclusion of human foeces has 

 but very slight efiect upon the composition of sewage ; a 

 conclusion they reached after an examination of the sewage 

 of fifteen towns in which foeces were excluded, and six- 

 teen in which water-closets were used. Great dilution is 

 desirable and necessary for reasons expressed in the main 

 paper. Our soil is capable of disposing of more water 

 than that of England ; a rainfall of an inch or more in a few 

 hours makes but little impression on our light soils. We 



