The removal of kitchen and chamber slops is a matter which also requires
proper attention, as this liquid frequently gives rise to unhealthful
conditions, annoying alike to sight and smell when carelessly disposed
of. The simplest way to utilize kitchen slops is to pour them upon plants
about the house in summer, in winter upon the soil, each time in another
spot, so as not to supersaturate the surface layers of soil in any one
place. A means of less trouble recommended by Waring is to partly fill
with soil a barrel with leaky bottom and cover this with a layer of stable
manure to prevent the puddling of the soil. The slops filter through the
soil and leave the barrel below as a clear fluid. The barrel is emptied
two or three times a year and the contents used for fertilizer.
House slops may be disposed of by surface irrigation or by subsoil pipes,
as already described. The originator of this method, Mr. Moule, may here
be profitably quoted as to its simplicity and success:
Where there is a garden the house slops and sink water may, in most
cases, be made of great value and removed from the house without
the least annoyance The only requirement is that there shall be a
gradual incline from the house to the garden. Let all the slops fall
into a trapped sink, the drain from which to the garden shall be of
glazed socket pipes well jointed, and emptying itself into a small
tank, 18 inches deep, about a foot wide, and of such length as may
be necessary. The surplus rain water from the roof may also enter
this. Out of this tank lay 3-inch common drain pipes, 8 feet apart
and 12 inches below the surface. Lay mortar at the top and bottom
of the joints, leaving the sides open. If these pipes are extended
to a considerable length, small tanks about 1 foot square and 18
inches deep must be sunk at about every 20 or 40 feet to allow for
subsidence. These can be emptied as often as required, and the deposit
may be either mixed with dry-earth or be dug in at once as manure. The
liquid oozes into the cultivated soil, and the result is something
fabulous. * * *
On a wall 55 feet in length and 16 feet high a vine grows. A 3-inch
pipe runs parallel with this at a distance of 6 feet from it for the
entire length. The slops flow through this pipe as above described. On
this vine year after year had been grown 400 well-ripened bunches of
grapes, some of the bunches weighing three-fourths of a pound. During
a period of four years, for a certain purpose, the supply was cut off.
To the surprise of the gardener scarcely any grapes during those years
appeared; but afterwards the supply was restored, and the consequence
was an abundant crop, the wood grow fully 16 feet, of good size and
well ripened.
In place of an indoor sink, an upright tube or hopper may be constructed
out of doors in communication with the subsurface pipes into which the
waste fluids are poured.