The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-31
A sENsIBLR SUGGESTION.
Are the City Fathers Wise Enough to
Follow Out the Idea9

To the Editor OF The Appeal:
The Taxing District authorities OF Shelby
County hauled and dumped into the riyerin
front OF the city last year 39,4l7 cart loads,
which represents about 1000 car loads, Of
street sweepings, etc. These sweenings are
recognized by intelligent farmers to be the
finest fertilizer that could be applied 10 their
poor and worn nj lands, and this vast
amount does not represent one.half OF the
reckless and unnecessary waste Of manure
that is annually dumped into the river. All
know the city garbage carts only take off the
accumulations of the streets. while citizens
are required to keep their premises, COW
sheds and horse stables cleaned at private
expense. Now is IL to be wondered at that
the farms and gardens which have supplied
the inhabitants of the city for the past fifty
years with bread, meat, vegetables and fruits
should be gradually losing their fertility and
becoming unattractive, not only TO our "
citizens, but TO persons from other sections
who come among us In search OF
BY reference 70 the sales Of the Clerk and
Master of the Chancery Court for the months
of January and February last II will be seen
that cleared lands containing houses and
fences within ten miles Of Memphis have
sold at public cutlery In front OF the Court
House for less than three dollars per acre.
Not one or two little lots but hundreds Of
acres, and farming lands around Memphis
can be purchased today for less money than
any other city in the government, for the
reason that crops have been hauled into the
city year aftor year and consumed, and excre-
mcnt, instead Of being returned 10 the lands,
has always been dumped into the river and
wasted. The farms aud gardens in three or
four miles OF the city can be and are kept up
by hauling manure In wagons, carts, etc,
hut beyond that distance, where only one
load a day can be hauled by n team, IL Is
found 10 be too costly, and the authorities
oughtto, instead OF holding on 10 privilege
and continuing 20 dump Il into the river, rs
In the past. turn II over 10 some responsible
and energetic man who would make con-
tracts with the various railroads and have
a distributed throughout West Tennessee
and North Mississippi.
The hauling OF 1000 or 5000 carloads an
nually would add TO the revenue OF the
various railroads M quicken into new life
g many an acre OF the old poor lands In the
vicinity OF the city, aud the farmers would
soon become happy and contented 20 live
here instead Of continually trying. rs now,
10 sell out and go to the newer lands OF Ar
kansas and Texas. Then, when the contracts
are made with the railroads and the farmers
made 10 understand hat II Is In their power
10 resuscitato their old worn lands at q
reasonable outlay Of money; In other words,
when the business Is properly organized,
contractors will come up and pay thousands
OF dollars for the privilege OF draining the
streets and keeping the city In a good snni-
tary condition and well lind that the garbage
would pay a revenue into the treasury in
stead Of costing tho tax payers Sli, 2i0 TO
throw II into the river and wnste II, ms they
did last year.
II the city fathers really want 10 see Mem
phis grow and prosper let them not forget
the surrounding country that feeds them.
EauNru