of the smell complained of, I should suggest that the sides and bottom of the
upper portion of the trench be covered with some cheap, non-absorbent material,
and that across it, about half way down, there be placed a filtering medium, such
as sand, gravel and stones, enclosed between two perforated planks, so that the
watery part of the nightsoil might at once, after filteration, be run off into the
fields, and that the solid part be daily mixed with dry earth, or the ashes of burnt
town-sweepings, and removed. It is evident that the present site is too small
for the purpose intended, and that there is not a sufficient quantity of earth
available; and I had much pleasure in accompanying the Committee appointed
for the purpose, and in visiting a new site, which, as far as space and soil, and
suitability of situation on sanitary grounds is concerned, is all that can be desired.
Its distance, and the steep ascent that will have to be made to it (for at present
there is no road) are, however, great drawbacks, and I am of opinion that a
nearer site, but not nearer than one mile, and to the south of the City, and away
from any watercourse, might be selected; or that, as Dr. Leith suggested
an arrangement might be made with agriculturists for its disposal as manure,
beyond the civil lines and cantonment limits.
24. In the event of the Municipality determining to dispose of the soil them-
selves, it may be as well to state the area of ground that, in my opinion, should
be taken up. In the North-Provinces the successful disposal of nightsoil
earth is an accomplished fact; and I have thought it would be useful to give the
following extract from the Report for 1874 of Dr. Walker, the Inspector-General
of Prisons there:—
"The following plan, after long trial, has been found both safe and profit-
able. Trenches, 2 feet wide and 1 foot deep, being dug at intervals of a
foot or more, 3 inches of nightsoil are put into each, and then covered with
the original earth. In this way no unpleasant smell arises even after rain."
(I would here remark that, according to Dr. Leith, "the annual rainfall at
Poona averages 25 inches, which is distributed over two-thirds of the year;
and that there are few months in which there is not rain enough to fill any
pools there may be in the water-courses, even if not sufficient to produce a
stream.") "Nor, when the soil after several months is trenched up, is there
any trace of the deposit, but the light-coloured sandy loam will be found con-
verted into a rich, dark-coloured mould. In such a soil, however, few vege-
tables, unless potatoes and cabbages, can, with advantage, be grown as a first
crop. Afterwards, when the ground becomes less quickening, any of the
common vegetables or chilies may be sown in it. A field once thoroughly
manured in this way will produce a succession of crops of different vegetables
if sown in proper rotation."
In the Panjáb it is ordered that the trenches should be 1 foot deep and 1
foot wide, with a space of 1 foot between each. The trench is filled within 6
inches of the top with fœcal and refuse matter, and then covered in with earth
heaped up to the extent of 8 inches. If the site I saw is selected, the night-
soil might quite safely be filled in to a depth of 6 inches; and if the Panjáb rules
were carried out, and taking into consideration the area required for roads,
embankments, &c., I am of opinion, supposing 30 tons were daily removed, and
speaking roughly, that between 40 and 50 acres would be required for a year's
deposit. In order to allow sufficient land for these operations and the due rota-
tion of crops, I should consider 80 to 100 acres would afford an ample area.
25. If privies are erected in every house, and the Bombay rate of one
sweeper to every 20 houses is allowed as a fair standard, 571 halalcores would be
required. Each of the 12 nightsoil carts now in use is stated to be capable of
h o l d i n g 3 6 ½ c u b i c f e e t ; b u t a s t h e y a r e , o n a c c o u n t o f t h e l o n g d i s t a n c e t h e b u l l o c k s
have to travel, only allowed to be half filled, each cart works at half power,
and it is stated only removes about 2,500 lbs. of soil per diem. At this rate, to