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 
— ora 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] 
