HABITATIONS 345 



through should be capable of running off, so as to prevent 

 the bedding getting too boggy. The liquid that runs off 

 must on no account be lost as it is a powerful fertilizer, so 

 the drainage from the straw yard is arranged to flow into 

 a liquid manure tank. 



No protest against this cesspool system is likely to be of 

 the least use, we must therefore consider how the yard 

 should be constituted to prevent the surrounding ground 

 getting fouled. 



The usual system is that the yard is dug out, with sides 

 sloping towards the centre. It is lined with chalk if 

 obtainable, or rammed brick, but never clay, which though 

 impervious to moisture gets mixed up with the bedding. To 

 secure a dry standing for the animals the bottom of the 

 excavation is filled up with stubble, or better still, furze. 

 From the lowest point of the excavation a drain pipe 

 conveys the filtrate to the liquid manure tank, or direct to 

 the manure heap. 



Such is the established system recommended by agricul- 

 tural authorities. It is one which the sanitarian cannot 

 possibly countenance ; the soil pollution in the neighbour- 

 hood of these yards must be excessive, especially bearing in 

 mind they are only cleaned out every six months. 



There can be no doubt from a hygienic point of view that 

 straw yards should be concreted so as to prevent percolation, 

 while the furze bottom should still be employed to allow 

 the filtrate to escape, and so keep the bed of straw above 

 fairly dry. 



When the question of drainage is dealt with this matter 

 will be touched on again, and we shall advise the straw 

 yard not being used as a cesspool. 



Piggeries. 



The piggery is the last building we have to consider for 

 the accommodation of the animals of the farm, and the 

 system of its arrangement depends upon whether a few 

 or many pigs are kept. 



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