172 



OASSELL'S POPULAE aAEDENING. 



jnuch of its fertilising properties. The manurial 

 value of combined urine and solids in sewage lias 

 been estimated by Lawes and Grilbert at 63. 8d. per 

 individual per annum, but when by dilution it is 

 increased to twenty-four gallons daily, its money 

 value is reduced to about 2d. per ton. 



That a given weight of urine is, generally speak- 

 ing, of higher value as a fertiliser than the same 

 ■quantity of solid excrements, has been mentioned 

 •when speaking of farmyard manure. 



But it is to the urea and hippurio acid, crystallised 

 bodies which exist iu urine in the proportion of 

 about one-third of that contained in the food of 

 animals, that its immediate and most marked efiect 

 in promoting vegetation is chiefly to be ascribed. 



These substances are nearly allied in their chemi- 

 cal nature and fertilising properties to the salts of 

 ammonia. 



Mr. Herbert J. Little, of Thorpelauds, Korth- 

 ampton, in a report on Sewage-farming, in the 



Kg. 11. 



-EZFEBimENT WITH BrCKWHEAT AND 0AT3 GkOWH IN PtIEE SaND, AHD SUPPLIED WITH DIPPEKEST 

 FeETILISINO iNaSEDIEHIS. 



The following table gives the analysis of the 

 daily excretions of a male adult : — 



These figures show that urine consists of certain 

 organic compounds rich in nitrogen, mineral matter, 

 •and phosphates, dissolved in a large quantity of 

 water — 46 oz. of fresh urine yielding but 1-735 oz. 

 :of dry matter. 



Journal of the Eoyal Agricultural Societj' for 1871, 

 says : " When once the benefits of sewage are fully 

 recognised, and the quick growth, early maturity, 

 and superior quality of vegetables cultivated by its 

 aid established, there should be ho difficulty in the 

 disposal of a portion of arable farms for this purpose, 

 and, perhaps, no more satisfactory course could be 

 followed. 



" Onions, Lettuces of prodigious weight and splendid 

 quality, Asparagus of great size. Celery of the finest 

 gro-wth. Water-cresses, Spinach, Cucumbers, Vege- 

 table Marrows, Prenoh Beans, Broccoli, and Cauli- 

 flowers — these are but a few of the ordinary sewage- 

 gro-wn vegetables ; whilst among fruits. Strawberries, 

 Gooseberries and Currants all seem coming into favour. 

 Strawberries at Barking have realised £75 per acre. 



