ON THE APPLICATION OF SEWAGE IN AGRICULTURE.
By E. Haughton, M. D.,
PROFESSOR OF HYGIENE AND MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE IN THE COLLEGE OF STEEVENS' HOSPITAL, DUBLIN.
[Read before the Royal Dublin Society, on Wednesday Evening, June 24, 1859; extracted from the "Natural History Review and Quarterly Journal of Science" for Oct., 1859.]
Baron Liebig has lately brought forward the idea of collecting the sewage of dwelling houses, which at present runs to waste, for the purpose of enriching soils that have been too much drawn upon by constant cropping, without a sufficient return being made in the shape of manure, or by allowing them to be fallow. The present system of sending to the antipodes for guano, at enormous expense, or keeping animals for the sake of farm-yard manure, are both liable to many draw backs; and should it be proved that Liebig's suggestion is practicable, it certainly will produce a great change in the farming operations of this country. Whatever objections may be suggested by the fastidiousness of amateur farmers, those whose daily bread depends on the profitableness of this calling will not hesitate about adopting such measures as may be clearly shown to be instrumental in producing large crops at small expense, and which will enable small capitalists to do a considerable amount of business without running into debt. The best argument that can be adduced in favour of Liebig's suggestion is the fact that it has long been acted on in China (of course, like all Chinese customs, from the earliest times), with the very best results, several crops being produced every year from the same fields without any rotation of variety in the crops sown, or without allowing the land to lie fallow. Ground would appear to be very dear in China, every yard being either under cultivation or applied to some useful purpose, so that no rest can be afforded to particular fields, nor are there enough of cattle kept to supply manure in any considerable quantity.
Now, it is true that the mode in which human ordure is collected in China would be utterly repulsive to Europeans, and inconsistent with our ideas of civilization; but it is by no means necessary to follow their example in every respect; surely we are not above taking a hint, when our understanding is convinced of the utility and reasonableness of any particular mode of cultivation, or social scheme of operations. Had it not long been a question what was to be done with our sewage, it would, perhaps, be time enough to talk about the matter when guano begins to run short, or our fields refuse to return a fair crop under careful tillage; but the question is by no means one of pounds, shillings, and
