DISPOSAL OF EXCEETA 379 



When the needful excavation has been made, the tank is 

 built of brick in cement ; it is next lined with cement, and 

 then nine inches of well-puddled clay placed around and 

 beneath the brickwork. The roof of the tank is arched, 

 provided with inspection manholes, and with proper 

 arrangements for ventilation and disconnection. 



In drawing off the contents an ordinary pump may be 

 employed. By the proximity of the tank to the dung pit, 

 some of the material may occasionally be poured over the 

 pit to prevent undue fermentation occurring, as excessive 

 fermentation destroys manure. 



The proper conservation of farmyard manure is essen- 

 tially an agricultural question, but it is desirable that the 

 sanitarian should not lose sight of the necessity for this, 

 as it is economy in the manurial resources of the farm 

 which helps to pay the rent, and cannot therefore be dis- 

 regarded. 



There is always a loss of nitrogen in the manufacture of 

 manure. Even when carefully made, under the most favour- 

 able conditions it amounts to 30 per cent, or 40 per cent., 

 and under average conditions 50 per cent.* Dyer, in the 

 communication previously quoted, places the loss under 

 ordinary circumstances at 23 per cent., and dwells on the 

 importance of placing the manure under cover, recommend- 

 ing a method of protection which is not only simple but 

 highly sanitary. A good bed of dry earth is provided, the 

 manure from fattening boxes or manure pit is placed on 

 this and thoroughly covered with a thick layer of earth, so 

 as to completely confine the ammonia ; the mass is kept 

 covered up until required for the land. 



Ahsoijytion Method. — There is a method by which the 

 excreta of cattle and horses could be removed without 

 employing any system of drainage, viz., by absorption with 

 so-called moss litter, viz., peat. Peat has the power of 

 absorbing many times its own weight of urine, and it 

 incorporates with the solid excreta. The system indeed 



* ' Losses in making Farmyard Mannre,' Dr. Voelcker and Mr. Bell, 

 Journal of the Boyal Agricultural Society, vol. Ixiii., 1902. 



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