TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 875 



that it was possible to deal with these objectionable matters without creating a 

 nuisance. The appliances then introduced were only used at a yery heavy cost to 

 ratepayers. 



Although most of Mr. Fryer's inventions dealt with refuse in a divided form, as 

 resulting from the introduction of the pail system, he also provided for the treat- 

 ment of refuse from middens. 



The pail system was then believed to be the right thing by most sanitarians, 

 and Mr. Fryer's attention was turned to the pure excrementitious matter collected, 

 from pail closets. 



The author referred to the crude and unsatisfactory methods in use. The mid- 

 dens were built above the ground level, and had only capacity to allow of small 

 accumulation of refuse. It was found by experiments that excrementitious matter, 

 when kept entirely separated, would produce a very valuable manure, which is 

 worth at the present time 6/. per ton, and those towns treating it in the best 

 apparatus had gained a fair revenue. Towns situated in agricultural districts are 

 able to dispose of their sewage sludge, after pressing it, at a price which covers the 

 cost of treatment ; but many towns find it difficult to dispose of it. Experiments 

 indicate that sewage sludge might be used successfully in the manufacture of bricks 

 with specially designed machmery and kilns. 



Koad refuse is now much reduced by the good condition of the roads. Road 

 sweepings when collected are not valuable as a fertiliser, and therefore are of little 

 value to land, and will not burn even in destructors unless mixed with a large 

 proportion of house refuse. Most authorities tip up the road sweepings upon waste 

 land at considerable expense, and at the risk of creating a nuisance. There is, 

 however, some value for this refuse, as the author has proved from a series of experi- 

 ments conducted by him for a special committee of the Kensington Vestry. As 

 to the disposal of house refuse for a town the size of Nottingham, producing 

 approximately 400 tons per day, if the greater portion of the refuse were sent to 

 farmers, and a small portion to a destructor, figures show that it is not possible to 

 look forward to a large amount of power for electric lighting ; it is even question- 

 able whether the power thus generated could be applied usefully for that purpose. 

 Supposing its refuse to have the average steam-producing qualities, about 300 

 horse-power will be obtained for an expenditure in labour of nearly 17/. per day, 

 equal to over 5,000Z. per annum. 



With coal the cost of labour would be only 150/. per annum, and the cost of 

 coal for fuel would be under 1,500/.; therefore, taking the refuse to cost nothing' 

 for delivery at a destructor works conveniently situated for producing electricity, 

 the actual loss would amount to no less than .3,350/. per annum over coal fuel, and 

 if they took into consideration the cost for repairs and interest on capital, this loss 

 would be greatly increased. 



Looking these facts into the face electric light produced by burning refuse could 

 only show economical results in very exceptional cases, and authorities should 

 consider the matter carefully before launching into a scheme of this kind. »ai«r» 



The author has estimated the cost of burning at 10^. per ton, but if the treat- 

 ment would cost l^., the increased loss would be 1,245/. per annum, making a total 

 loss of 4,590/. per annum. 



Taking the comparison of burning refuse in different kinds of destructors, these 

 figures should be taken carefully into consideration, as Id. per ton more in the cost 

 of burning means over 600/. per annum in a town the size of Nottingham. 



5. On Warming and Ventilation. By Frank Ashwell, M.I.M.E. 



The subject of warming and ventilation has been chosen by the author, as he is 

 of opinion it is not yet so fully and generally studied as its importance demands, 

 and he trusts the remarks which he will have to offer, supported as they are by 

 very considerable practical experience, may prove of some interest. The principle 

 of mens sana in corpore sano is as true to-day as ever, and with improved condi- 

 tions of life the mind will have more chance to develop itself. The author contends 



