three] growing the HOUSE 



heap, wherein you accumulate wastage from the 

 fields and barns — using care not to block the sewer 

 vent. In this way the house waste will become in- 

 corporated in the compost and make it doubly val- 

 uable. I have studied all the systems ; and some of 

 them are excellent, if conditions are right. The 

 Waring system distributes sewerage admirably, 

 until the pipes become clogged. After that there 

 is serious trouble, if the land lies level. The soil 

 will sometimes get over-saturated, and poisonous 

 effluvia arise out of our meadows. At all events 

 keep in mind, while establishing your house, this 

 question of easy and secure drainage. You cannot 

 rely on servants to carry house slops to a safe de- 

 posit. If the vegetable or flower garden be very 

 near the door, the water of washing days can be 

 profitably used about the plants and bushes. A 

 bed of dahlias is a good thing near a kitchen door 

 — or a bed of roses or of phloxes. These are all 

 good drinkers and good feeders. If you have a 

 row of pear trees at hand you can direct your help 

 to dispose of considerable liquid waste about their 

 roots. Salt water and brine may go to an asparagus 

 bed or to a quince orchard, and a lesser amount of 

 it can safely be distributed about pear and apple 



[39] 



