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V"II. — Earth versus Water for the Removal and Utilisation of 
Excrementitious Matter. By the Rev. Henry Moule, Vicar 
of Fordington, Dorset. 
Summary of Coxtents. — I. Principles of the Earth-system, — II. Facts and 
Testimonies a.s to its Efficiency. — III. The Value of the Manure produced. 
— IV. Application of the System to Cottages and Public Institutions. — 
V. The present condition of our Towtos. — VI. The pressure of costly 
Improvements on the "Working Classes. — VII. The application of the 
System, and supply of Earth to Towns. — VIII. Companies to carry out 
the System. 
My proposal to employ earth instead of water in one branch of 
domestic economy was first made in a pamphlet, published in 
1858, entitled ' National Health and Wealth.' The force of the 
facts and arguments then adduced has been very generally felt 
and admitted by scientific and practical men ; yet the force of 
habit, the objection to radical change, and a natural disinclina- 
tion to discuss the details of a subject which is in some respects 
offensive, together, perhaps, with the want, only recently sup- 
plied, of a simple, certain, and effective apparatus, have hitherto 
prevented any large or general adoption of the system proposed. 
Every month's experience, however, proves it capable of pro- 
moting, not only the health and wealth, but (what is of equal 
value in another point of view) the general comfort of the 
nation. 
Our fields and gardens urgently demand a larger and cheaper 
supply of manure than that which now exists, which, moreover, 
is insecure and may be much diminished within a few years : 
and, on the other hand, loud complaints are uttered of the worse 
than waste of the sewerage of our towns, villages, and private 
dwellings. It may, therefore, be of some service, especially to 
the agricultural interest, if I give a brief statement of the 
principles on which the system of earth sewage rests, some facts 
and testimonies explaining and recommending the suggested 
mode of working it, and facts and evidence illustrative of the 
value of the manure manufactured after the plan proposed : 
for, thus, 1 think that it may now most satisfactorily be proved 
that the increased demand for fertilising agents may be largely 
met ; the health of towns promoted by the entire removal of the 
sewage nuisance, instead of the present mere palliation ; and the 
pollution of our streams and rivers prevented, the evil being no 
longer shifted from one quarter to another. Moreover, all this 
good may be secured without any of those vast and extravagant 
works for public drainage which add so greatly to the burdens 
of the country. In one county-town, at least, the public works 
