Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-08-09

age The natural drainage. in consequence OF
an abundant irrigation. was found insufficient
The level Of the subsoil water rose lew cei,
lars were flooded at Genneyilliers, and gravel
ouarries were inundated. This was sufficient
excuse for a claim for excessive damages against
50 rich victim as the city of Paris. To increase
the indemnity and to compel g compromise I'll
possible arguments were employed. poe1or
was opposed to doctor. and hygienist 70 statistl
clan, when 1t wSs only question OF q lew thou-
sand francs damage TO the claimants. IheSe de-
mands were opposed by the engineers, WHO III
turn were very decidedly sustained and snpp.ied
with money BY the Municipal Council. The
necessary work TO insure the drainage OF 'he
plains and to remove all preteNt TOT damages
was done, and to-day the complaint Is rfIhSr Oh
the lowering of the subsoH water. NeSerthelesS'
irrigation d. GennevillierS created prosperity
until then unknown, and time arrived Wheh
the community, frightened by the possible re-
suit of its demands and outeTieS.wnlch tlliS Si
ened to be the suppression of irriga tloil-aSked
for a contract. the principal article OF "IlC.
was that the city should engage TO continue lrri-
CATION on the plains of GennevlIliers TOT WE'VE
years.
TIE EFFICACY OF THE SYSTEM
Ofepuration is manifest. and presentSa brilliant
proof The effluent drain water has lever lIlcr9.
organisms thanthe water OF the seine "hen II
enters Paris. 1t has the purity OF spring HeteT
coming from the earth. To demonstrate the
utility of the system, as applied to agriculture,
has been Slow and difficult, ana not less iNDoF
ious than to test the efficacy of the epurailQn.
The sloWness of experiments IN agriculture
NAV be understood when We remember that 10
reach an end We must go through all the phases
Of vegetation, from the sowing OF the seed 70 the
harvest. Under our climate II is q campaign OF
o year. If we neglect detail, II we MAKE
mistake at the time of Sowingor planting, at the
time of blowing or watering the harvest may
be d failure and we must begin again. Inc
difficulty was increased by local circumstances.
Amongst the cultivators OF land IN the snDilroS
of Paris no one knew the practical workings of
q sewage farm. One of the persistent workers,
who has been rewarded by success, SAID recently
that it required more than four years 10 acquire
the necessary knowledge. To-day the cultTdt0rs
are in complete possession of their art and in
the recent horticultural exhibition every one
admired the remarkable products, which re-
ceived honorable distinctions
In agriculture, successes which would be
shown by beautiful samples obtained III the
fields of experiment would be objects OF curios-
;ty II Is necessary to secure economical re-
suits, and these go far BEYOND me Utmost ex
value of the hectare has increased hYeiold,
from 90 to $50 francs. For the farmer or eul-
tivator the prosperity has not been less. The
net value of vegetable products rose from little
or nothing 70 1000 francs per hectare
IN A SANITARY POINT OF VIEW
The results have not been less satisfactory and
here again il is necessary to observe the Facts on
the ground One sees a numerous population,
robust and healthy in proportion to lis prosper
ity. Its yigOr assures healthy nutrition eQulNa-
lent to its works. which is the best hygiene.
As to The effects of irrigation, the same occurs
at Genneviliers which always takes place
where irrigation is praeticed: from the moment
it is made frequent without stagnatl0n, and at
regular intervals q condition which is far more
favorable for the development of palud9l in
iuences. The determining causes are ellmln-
ated a constant activity Is maintained in the
vegetable life, which absorbs in its circulation
ali its own residues and all the organic elements
placed within reach Highly to the honor OF
the city of Paris be it said that, by the persever
ance of its representatives. by the science and
devotion of its engineers. the problem"of cpura-
ton of the residues of cities and of their utilza
ton by agriculture is absolutely and definitely
solved. We have no longer the experiment of
Gennevilliers; we have u system permanent
and regular for the future. The population of
Genneviliers has increased by farmers coming
to occupy the lands "a per cent. in ten years.
We have i'll the soil chemical laboratory. q
perfect filter oxidation, vegetation, the in
fluenceS of animal life and the infusoria com
binng to protect the subsoii water, and, SO far
as experience goes or chemical analyses can
demonstrate, these processes of nature are
amply sufficient.
We do not hesitate to cover with fertilizing
material fields i'll which are located springs and
wells We are only solictOus lest the surface
water should convey the material to them, and
we raise an cmbankment above the leve! of the
surrounding land and otherwise leave TO nature
the protection of our drinking water with full
confidence in 1'lS cOTScTrdtrLr nature and If her
processes are not complete and perfect the whole
world is gradually becoming saturated with filth.