, 1874-07-29

pie driving through the streets, accom-
panied by their wives and daughters, the
passing sights, are very unseemly, and the
offenders are not to be blamed, there be-
Ing no screen or convenience for their re-
sort. Surely the authorities are in duty
bound, both in a sanitary and social point
OF view, to provide a remedy.
In the absence of underground drainage,
no system possesses such advantages as
those embraced in that of dry earth. To
come to particulars, q block of dry earth
closets erected in any convenient place
OF resort, as tor instance, near the Wharf,
to accommodate ten persons exclusive of
the land) could be erected for the sum of
9170 A urinal in a similar locality
to accommodate ten persons, could
be erected for the sum of 9l1O;
Qor a lesser to greater number in pro-
p~ortion).
If H. E. the Governor would recon-
mend the sum of $1,000 to be voted by
the Assembly as a tentative measure for
the erection of, say, three closets and
three urinals in selected localities, the eff
cheney of the system for public convent
ence would soon be tested. Will it be
remunerative2 may be an easy question.
1t is considered that it would if tried.
Apart from its sanitary recommendations,
the proceeds of the dry earth have a com
mercial value deserving Of consideration.
Il may be here observed that the prac-
tical working of the Closets, which are
formed of very simple and durable working
apparatus, consists in a self-acting supply
of dry earth for each deposit. For an or
binary household, the quantity required
would be about a gallon per diem. The
earth Is required to be of an absorbent ma
ture, which might be procured by ordinary
means. 1t requires to be dry and finely
sifted. There are various modes in use for
receiving and distributing the residue
from a tub to a brick soil pit-daily by
the former means, by the latter, monthly,
or more heightened periods (he soil be-
ing perfectly i%nnocuous) adapted to spe-
cial requirement. The urinals for public
accommodation would be formed in an en-
closure with divisions for individual use !;
provided with gratings over a pit; to be
supplied daily with the requisite quantity
of dry earth, as for the Closet The mode
of removal would be by carts, to selected
spot for the manipulation of the soil.
AS a manure, it is of greater value after
the third use. The chemical properties
as food for plants, impaired to the earth
from the urinaIs make it equally valuable.
The qualities of the soil derivable from
such erections for Agricultural and Gar
dening purposes, have already been sub
jected to Chemical analysis by Liebig and
others. For general information on the
subject, it might be we'll to have reprint
ed in the columns of the West Indian, the
pamphlets and other documents illustrative
of the system, leaving the diagrams for
public inspection at your Office, to those
who may feel interested in the subject.
The Commercial value of the Manure
would be best developed perhaps by o
gratis delivery, to those who would be
willing to test its efficiency. The condi-
tions being, that as Proprietors, andinterest-
ed in all that concerns the welfare of the
Island, they would give it a fair trial, and
report for public information, the result of
their observations.
The subject is worthy of public consi-
deration.
I am,