THE FARM HOME 



393 



If the land is not porous, or if there is any danger of 

 contamination of wells, a cement collecting tank, or septic 

 tank, should be provided. A tank 3x6 feet and 3 feet 

 deep is large enough for a family of six persons. While 

 the sewage remains in this tank, the bacteria decompose 

 the solids contained in it, so that it may be distributed by 

 underground irrigation in a lawn or field. The inlet pipe 

 should have a bend at the end so as to direct the water 

 downward. The outlet pipe should slope upward so as not 

 to allow the scum to run off, as this scum is filled with 

 the bacteria that are essential in destroying the sewage. 

 The outlet pipe will need to be four to eight feet long for 



FIG. 198. A dilapidated farmhouse made attractive by vines and flowers 



each person, depending on the soil. It is made of tile drain- 

 pipe laid with a fall of one inch in sixteen feet. This pre- 

 vents the water running to the lower end so rapidly as to 

 cause a wet place there. The water seeps out the entire 

 length of the drain. 



