The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-01-14
PAYING SEWAGE PLANT.
Westsra Town Operates II and
More Than Makes Expenses.

A city of 20, coo inhabitants bidding
fair to pay municipal running expenses
out of It's sewage-that is the remark
able situation with Pasadena, says the
Cincinnati Enquirer AS an econc-
mic feat it eclipses that of the Chinese
peasant, who can feed himself on what
the French cook wastes after the
French cook has fed a family upon the
material cast aside by al American
culinary artist.
Pasadena lies about 80 miles from
tie ocean. Most cities so situated feed
the fishes Of the vast deep with their
sewage. But when, about a dozen
years ago, the city voted S192, coo for
sewer bonds, it occurred to the city
fathers that the fnny tribe is already
pretty well grub-staked, and, as they
looked about for a place to empty the
municipal dishwater brilliant idea
assailed them. Directly south of the
town, near the ancient San Gabriel
Mission,t here was vast, dry unim-
proved territory that could be bought
for song. It lay in the natural
drainage course from the city, and,
like many places of California acreage,
needed only the magic touch of water
to blossom as the rose. It was only
six miles away, and pipe line to 1t
would necessitate only one-ffth tie
expenditure necessary to run a pipe
line to the ocean.
So the city council purchased 335
acres of barren ground, piped the sew
age to it and started a farm. A house
was built and a superintendent placed
in charge at salary of $50 a month.
He spread refuse water over the land,
and set out go acres to walnuts and
about 100 acres to grain, alfalfa, hay
and corn.
At first taxpayers objected to hav-
ing their money emptied, into the
sewer. They did not regard the ex-
periments as practicable. They pic
tured the superintendent wadlng
about in his boots in ill-smelling
liquid and they predicted that no per
son of normal olfactory deyelopnent
would hold the job. They also stated
that the products of the place would
be tabooed. Who would buy fruit
raised in sewage? It might be a good
place to raise Hmburger cheese, out
the market is not large for that
dainty.
But the doubling taxpayers soon
had to give in. The sewage purified
considerably in its run OF six miles.
Though it could hardly be recon-
mended for table use, it was still
much better than when it started. It
came out of the pipes a swift turbid
stream, about two feet wide and seve-
raj inches deep. The slight bad odor
that accompanied it soon disappeared
when it was spread over the level
acres. The superintendent has never
complained of nausea. His job has
become an en7ied political plum-one
of the finest fruits of the farm. The
walnuts, pumpkins, hay, corn and
other products of the sewer farm have
proved of the first quality and COM
manded the best markets. The sewage
| is irrigation and manure in the same
package, and brings about fertility of
soil.
The institution has grown to such
proportions that large storage barns
and new home for the superinten-
dent and his family have been built,
and we'll and windmill established
for drinking water. Five men are Kept
constantly employed, while, during
| harvest seasons, as many as 80 en-
ployees are busy at time. Thirty
more acres are being set out in val
nuts, fruit trees are being planted,
and the barns would be bursting with
hay if they were not substantially
built. A short time ago 95 fine, fat
hogs that called the place home we're
sold at good prices, and this years
walnut crop from the young trees will
net s5, 600.
The management of the farm is vest
ed in committee of the council. The
bills and returns are looked over ssby
the city auditor, along with the busi-
ness of other departments Of the city.
It is no more trouble to run this
branch than the police or street. de-
partment. Occasionally the Mayor
and council inspect the place, and
each councilman leaves his term OF
Office practical farmer.
Representative OF other cities are
constantly Investigating the farm, and
report favorably to the authorities
they represent. 4 number Of other
towns il this neighborhood are copy
ing Pasadena's successful experiment.
Several neighboring ranehers have
offered to buy the sewage at generous
price, but the council says it will keep
farming in the municipal family.
Recently S35, 900 was voted in bonds
for extension of the outfall sewer and
acquiring more framing land to utilize
the ever increasing quantity of ex-
crement.
Picture Agents Win.