The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-22

There can be little doubt that much Of the native dis.
existing this and the large cities Of America, AS
well in the capitals OF Europe or among the vast
populations OF Asia, due TO diseased condition OF
The atmosphere, supernduced by the putretacton OF
animal vegetable matter subjected 10 the action OF
some undiscoveraOle chemical agent and instead OF
encumbering the pavement with any more foreign
ready accumulated by travel and traffic. Tins can only
be- done by cleansing and sweeping and the pavcments
can be kept in healthy state, when clean II sprnkied
NOTHING LIKE WATER
While there is nothing 10 be deprecated IN these
sanitary experiments IL is sale 10 say that water Will
always command the greatest puUic confidence and
that its simple properties better adapted 10 street
sprinking than that OF any other body that can be
known or mentioned As the season Will soon DO at
hand when elective street sprinkling Will be matter
OF great service both 10 comfort ana health the work
should be under tho and control OF agents
only who could insure its proper accomplishment
KINDS or pAvExEsTS
There but three kinds oil dstinclively marked
payements LAID the citythe Belgian and other
stone pavements. tho Nicolson and the asphalt The
pavements the best sprinkle because they
do not dry us the others and because The sur
face is not wholly porous and spongy The Nicoisoh
next in order The water as soon as u - applied
absorbed and time 10 attract the dust OF the
atmosphere. The asphalt rs worse yet II Instantly
absor6s, and beng good conductor from its loose
stratcation the heat makes vapor Of the water
Thus for GOODNESS the Belgian exccls all others
THE WATER TRUCKS.
The present system or street sprinkling was intro
duccd in 1912 with the introduction OF Croton water
The obtained from tire hydrants, ana only
such specified by the Department oil Pubic
Works be used, and then the sprinkler must con-
fine himself TO Tue limit land out by the authorities
Each truck sprnkles It's own particular section Tour
day aud each sprinkling necessates the use oil
casks OF water, each holding 200 gallons. 1t Is
therefore easy 10 compute tho actual amount oil
water expended. Each cask discharges 5000 gallons
day. On the average about III, 0OO gallons day TO
the mile arc used But II should be remembered that
but thirds OF tho city are ever sprnKed IL Is est
that 500 miles oil street the avera
sprinkcd New York, neccssatLg the use OF 600 600
gallons Of Croton water daily the cost Of which Is
ST. 200. BY regulation the watcrmen are required TO
pay and q half cents Tor every 100 gallons.
sPRINKLiNG SEASON
begins April ! and closes December 1; but not more
than OF this interval Is consumed in sprink
ling, clouds overcast and wet days generally mon
opozc third Of the time There rs great art IN
tslling exact time SPRINKLE and the practice OF
economy in this regard deserves to be enumerated
among the nne arts. Tho proper time 10 sprinkle be.
gins O'Clock in the morning. when the truck sets
out ana lays u mantle OF dampness over the street.
Broadway sprinkled in tour bands-that is the truck
has the distance four times before the entire
width Is sprinkled. by the time the last band is lard
down the hrst Is dry and the operation Is renewed
!
For all this labor the watermcn compensated by
voluntary subscriptions, in sums ranging from twenty
five 81 per week. Hundreds shrk paying even
this paltry sum, but still willing to have the benefit
OF the sprinkiing From $50 to 500 week is made by
the watermen. II is estimated that the residents OF
city spend 81 600 900 annually for sprinkng the
streets
SCARCITY CRoppN
The Of 5000 900 gallons of water daily IN a
dry season will form serious obstacle Dur
ing the Of 1859 the Croton was
use for street sprnkling report was submitted ut
that fully established the TACT that u was
possible devise inexhaustible supply OF water
from the rivers daily wash the streets as Win MOOD Of
the establishment Of public salt water baths Ia any part
OF the city with but little expense