A Paper read before the New Jersey Sanitary Association, at their Tenth 
Annual Meeting, in the Assembly Chamber at the State House, Tren ton, N 
J, December Jpth, 188 
IF* G T S , 
CONCERNING THE PRACTICAL WORKING OF THE 
Irrigation System,* 
OF SEWAGE-DISPOSAL, 
In New Jersey and Elsewhere. 
BY 
Dr. J. W. PINKHAM. 
OF MONTCLAIR. Wilson’s 'Quick Charging” Syphon. 
MYERS SANITARY DEPOT, 92 BEEKMAN ST , N. Y. 
Instant in Action. Reliable in work INloclerate in Rrice. 
Figure 1 represents a four incli. Syphon. Figure 2 represents the Syphon placed in cistern. Figure 3 represents the Syphon in 
smaller cistern, for this size, a separate settling tank should be used. Figure 4 shows Syphon placed on a bracket to give larger space 
for settling. 
The Syphon has a base and a lug to support it in cistern and can be easily set to its place against one of the walls of the cistern. 
D. represents the house drain, or supply to the cistern, the water will rise in the cistern to B, before the contined air between CC will be 
overcome by the weight of the water. The Syphon then goes into action emptying the cistern to A. The space between A and the bot- 
tom of the cistern serves for solids or sediment. The cistern should have a man-hole and be cleaned out annually. This form of Syphon 
is specially designed for the Automatic Flushing of Sewers and House Drains, and for purposes of Intermittent Filtration, &c. It is 
not dependent upon a waste of water for its start : the moment a given level is reached, however slow the feed, the Syphon comes into 
full work, discharging the contents of the Tank or Flushing Chamber, and thoroughly cleansing the Sewer or Drain to which it is con- 
nected. By the rapid flow of water, all sluggish matter is carried forward, and the deposit of sediment and formation of sewer-gas pre- 
vented. Where water is paid for by meter, or in dry weather flows of sewage, the economy effected by the use of this Syphon is very 
great, owing to the increased number of discharges obtained. It is readily built into tanks of masonry or brickwork, beihg sent out com- 
plete for fixing. f‘ 
Fig. 4. 
Fig. 3. 
Fig. 2. 
Fig. 1. PAPER AS READ BY DR. PINKHAM, OF MONTCLAIR, N. J. 
By the “ Small Pipe System of Inland Sewerage,” is meant [in this paper] that system of sewage disposal 
devised by Mr. Moule, and popularized in this country by Col. Geo. E. Waring, of Newport, by whose name 
it is quite generally known. It is designated by some the “Subsurface Irrigation System,” and by others, the 
“Interrupted Downward Filteration System.” It provides for the intermittent distribution of liquid sewage 
through a system of small unglazed earthen pipes, laid with open joints, ftom 8 to 16 inches below the surface 
of the ground, having such relation to each other and to the soil in which they are laid, both as regards its 
density and slope, that the liquid flowing through them will find its way readily into the ground, but, be suf- 
ficiently retained to reach the whole system of distributing pipes. 
It is necessary for the success of this system that the ground employed should be drained, either natnrally 
or artificially, so that absorption will take place promptly, and that there should be a flush tank discharging 
its contents through an automatically acting syphon. There should be such relation between the size of this 
flush tank and the soakage area, that the whole system of pipes will be filled at one discharge of the tank} 
and such relation between the whole amount of sewage to be disposed of and the soakage area employed, that 
the liquid from one discharge of the tank will have beome absorbed by the soil into which it is distrib- 
uted, before a second discharge. To adjust all these requirements perfectly, demands a nice judgment and a 
skilful hand. The nature of the soil must be taken into consideration. A clayey soil may be too retentive, 
and a soil composed mostly of sand may be too loose for the perfect working of this system ; but, as the area 
required is small, it would cost but little to add sufficient sand to the former, and sufficient clay to the latter 
to render it suitable. When organic matter is absorbed into the soil near the surface, as provided for by this 
system of subsurface irrigation, comng in contact as it does, in a state of minute subdivision, with the air and 
condensed ogygen* contained in the porous soil, it undergoes a rapid ogydation. 
The change which takes place is in every essential particular equivalent to to that of combustion. The organic 
matter thus treated is just at much destroyed as if it were burnt, and the resulting products are as harmless as the 
products of combustion of wood or coal. Soil which has been used in this way for many years has been found 
to be but little changed, the liquid resultants of disintegration having evaporated or become absorbed by the 
roots of plants, while the solid resultants which remain, but slightly [and not in any essential particular,] differ 
from the original constituents of the soil. Theoretically this system is perfect, but, the question, “will it 
work in actual practice,” is legitimate, and is constantly asked. The best answer to the question “will it 
work,” is the answer to the question “has it worked.” The principal object of this paper is to present to this 
association the testimony of those who have had practical knowledge of this system,—of the engineers who 
have constructed the works, and of the owners of places on which the system has been tried. The word 
‘ tried” has been used intentionally, for no system can be recommended for adoption, however perfect it may 
be in theory, until it has been subjected to the crucial test of prolonged trial, and it is important to know, not 
what a system will do under skilful management, but what it will do under the somewhat negligent manage* 
ment which it is likely to receive. A system which requires for its operation the constant supervision of an expert, will fail on account of the impossibility of obtaining such expert supervision. In studying this system 
at the present time, we are fortunate in being able to form our conclusions concerning its merits, not from the 
reasonableness of its theory, nor the weight of opinion which supports, but from the testimony of those who 
have tried it. 
In collecting this testimony, I have been aided by Mr. James C. Bayles, and Mr. Geo. P. Olcott, Civil 
Engineers of Orange, who have kindly furnished me with the names and addresses of their patrons. To secure 
the desired information I addressed the following circular to about 60 people, who for various lengths of time 
have employed the sub-surface irrigation system. 
Dear Sir : 
Wishing to collect facts concerning the practical working of the “Small pipe System of 
Inland Sewerage,” and learning that you have had opportunities for observing its operation, and forming an 
opinion of its merits, I take the liberty of sending to you the enclosed blank, which I will ask you to kindly 
fill out and forward to me by return mail. Yours, Respectfully, 
J. W. Pinkham. 
State.—1.—Size of family, 2.—Approximate first cost of system. 3.—Approximate cost of annual 
maintenance. 4.—Length of time in use. 5.—Is system free from nuisance ? 6.—Is all house waste 
satisfactory disposed of ? 7.—Have stoppages occurred ! 8.—Is the soakage area underdrained ? 9. 
—Is it superficially dry ? 10.—Give any facts which you think may be of service in determining—to what 
extent and under what circumstances this system can be recommended for general use. 
The answers to these questions I will present to you as they have been received, omitting only the 
portions which are irrevelant. These answers constitute the testimony which I have collected concerning the 
practical working of the Sub-surface irrigation System, for the Disposal of House Sewage. 
*Schubler says: [see Journal Royal Agricultural Society, vol. r, p. 197.] The earths possess the remark- 
able property of absorbing oxygen gas from the athmospheric air, a phenomenon pointed out many years ago 
by A. Van Humboldt. ....... This property of the earths is confirmed almost without exception, provided 
they be employed for this purpose in a moist state. In the experiment which he instituted exposing one 
thousand grains of different earths for thirty days in vessels of 15 inches cubic contents [ 15 inches of air 
containing 3.12 inches of oxygen,] he found that sandy loam absorbed 1.39 inches of oxygen, clay loam 
absorbed 1.65 inches and garden mould 2.60 inches. ZD 
: i 
/W 
■r 
t71 
i_i 4a 
Zl 
- zn 
m 
w z oj 
0 
y 
O 
a> pj 
3 * 
.o Nassau St. 
N. 
E. Knapp, 
24 Pine St. N. 
’. P. Havemey 
i2 Wall St. N. 
3 s:.m 
P O 
to • 00 i5 
z 
0 
M 
Bingham, 
Produce E 
change, N. 
Pulsford, 
illiam St. 
N. 
Towne, 
r 
& 
3 
n> 
z 
St., N. 
organ, 
3 Dey St. N 
Davis, 
1 Maiden 
w 
§ 
n> 
3 
0 
CD 
3 
0 
3 
0 
3 
pt 
3 
JQ 
n> 
z 
Tuthill, 
ontclair, N. 
lame. 
Burdick, 
ck Church, 
P5 ‘ V 
3- C/2 3 
X, 0 
£§13 
z^ 
*Tl 
> 
rt- 
rt- 
O* 
. Marvin, 
ontclair, N. 
NAME. 
k! y 
Kj 
—1 
'—1 
—1 
3 
V 
tg 
On NO 
M M 
01 
O 05 
On 
M M 
O 
hotel 
8 
Cri 
Size of Family. 
m 
OJ 4^ 
Hi Or 
Oo 
« 10 to 
Approximate 
Ln 
O -n 
O O 
O 
La 
0 0 0 
0 
first cost of system. 
o 
O O 
O O 
p 0 
p 
0 p p 
0 
p 
''A 
Approximate cost 
M M 
M tO 
to 
M 
M M 
of annual 
to Cri 
O O 
Oi 
to 
O to 
O 
maintenance. 
1—1 
to to 
to 
w 
u\ 
Oo Cm 
O Oo 
On 
Oo On 
Ln Cn 
NO 
Length of time in 
V 
V V- 
V- 
VI 
V! X 3 
Vi Vi 
3 
"i 3 
•1 *-t 
-t 
1 
I 
use. 
m 
in v* 
-t 
C/3 
C/3 «-t U 
m w 
0 
C/3 C/3 
• 1/1 1/3 
C/3 
a> 
V) V- 
re 0 
n> o> 
tt> (D 
rt 
VJ Vj V 
n> rt rt 
a a 
a 
Is system free from 
in 
m m 
C/3 C/3 
in 
C/3 C/3 C/3 
C/3 C/3 
m 
nuisance ? 
v< 
V! V 
<v 
- V! 
'V 
V V* 
Is all house waste 
rt> 
0 0 
rt 0 
n> n> 
(rt 
rt rt rt 
rt rt 
3 
satisfactorily 
C/3 
in m 
c/3 
mm m 
C/3 C/3 
0 
disposed of ? 
ou 
yes 
no 
yes 
no 
no 
no 
no 
no 
no 
no 
yes 
no 
no 
Have stoppages 
occurred 1 
£3 
0 3 
3 3 
3 3 
3 
33 3 
3 3 
3 
Is the soakage aera 
O 
0 0 
O C 
O O 
0 
00 0 
0 0 
0 
underdrained ? 
0) 
V* 
a> rr> 
v< V 
o> 0 
a> a 
V 
rt 
Vi n<J VJ 
rt rt rt 
a> a> 
rt> 
Is it superfically 
IT 
in m 
C/3 C/3 
in in 
C/3 
mm c/3 
m m 
m 
The system I consider perfect, whereeve 
it controls sufficient aera for adequate distribu 
distributing pipes. 
System is the best devised where there i 
pipes in dry lawn free from shade. 1 empty 
twice a year, though it is not absolutely necess 
It can bereeommended 
You have the facts above, to which I have 
the opinion that it is a perfect success. 
I consider this system as satisfactory as an 
So long as we have used it, it has been ver 
seems to be the best system we have tried. 
I consider the system in every respect ada 
any residence having a sufficient area of garde 
I believe it possible for the entire village 
lieved, by disposing of its sewage matter b 
Women’s Prison at Sherborn, Mass., uses this 
a large amount of water consumed there, 
aware of the particulars in this case. The ta 
gallons at a time, and they discharge altern 
drains of 10 000, ft each. At my own house 
put in the main sewer pipe so that I can use 
By doing this I can distribute the liquid was 
have a more uniform growth of grass on the s 
Kor in all cases the upper lines of pipe, f those 
apt to receive the larger quantity of waste,alth 
ceive more than they can take care of. Yoirs 
Give any facts which you think may be of 
ing to what extent and under what circumstan 
recommended for general use. 
o' 
3 =r 
o ft 
Er £ 
ft r4- 
s £ 
S3 O 
&) w 
2;l 
3 2. 
CTQ ft 
3 
3 -t 
»3 
3 
O 
jr 
3* 
crq 
0 
p 
Cl 
a 
3 
O 
3 
0 
f» 
0 
*<J 
v> 
V* 
0 
0 
p 
3 •O 
O ft 
do 
l s 
< 
3 vj 
a4 
£ 
c4 
p 
200 feet alterna 
te more evenly, 
urface of the gr 
learest the Tanks 
ough they do no 
truly, C.M.Mar 
of Montclair to b 
y this system, 
method, and the 
You are prol 
nks discharge 1 
ately into two s 
: I have h ad a sv 
service in deter 
;es can this syste 
8 crq 
0 
c 0 
rt- -< 
s 
< 
ft 
3 
a 
0 
•n 
tely. 
and 
ound 
).are 
t re- 
VIN. 
" “ 0 o' ™ H -1 
8-2,8 'Ta-if? 
3 3. 
cr 3* 
ft •  
s 
O 
0 
.£ 
<L> 
S 
0 
jj-. 
V 
bn 
u <*- 
as -a 
j>* 
NAME. 
a 
03 
b 
I* 
§ 0 
u -3 0 
■s 2 c 
<3 3 « 
.g g g 
O in 
<u 
V 0 
4> Ot-j 
§ 8 § 
o< v 
0 £ 
to. 5 
aJ aJ 
Vf V- 
->C 
v c? 
Give any facts which you think may be of service in determin- 
ing to what extent and under what circumstances can this system be 
O 
0 ” C 
$ 3 
§'a 
as IS & 
8 £ 
recommended for general use, 
N 
c/3 
S« 8 
£ 
g 
&. E 
hfi 
M 
<l> 
J 
"rt 1/1 
>• 0 
rt 
a 
0) c 
.5 § 
Ham. Wallis, 
9 
35°- 
10 
2 yrs. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
48 Wall St. N. Y. 
yrs. 
Gard. P. Lloyd, 
110 Broad way,N.Y 
8 
250. 
12 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
I think with good care in making this system—iron pipes, &c. 
from house to cesspool, that it will work well in all cases where the 
landgives sufficient fall to pipes. 
J. C. Howes, 
52 Wall St. N. Y. 
R. C. Browning, 
8 
250. 
** 
1 year. 
yes 
no 
no 
no 
yes 
I recommend it freely for general use where conditions and 
space of ground are favorable. The settling tank needs cleaning out 
by removing the solid matter twice a year or oftener, and the venti- 
lation pipes need to be carried high above ridge of dwelling to pre- 
vent any oder being blown down by the winds. 
8 
7 
50°. 
rs 
4 yrs. 
5 yrs- 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
no 
no 
yes 
yes 
22 Cortlandt St. 
N. Y. 
B. Shepard, 
25°. 
10 
26 Worth St. N. Y. 
P. M. Pompelly, 
10 
2 yrs. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
Rowland Johnson, 
5 Mercer St. N. Y. 
8 
380. 
10 
19 mos. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
Sami. Crump, 
Montclair, N. J. 
10 
*75- 
10 
3 mos. 
yes 
yes 
yes 
uo 
no 
no 
yes 
yes 
During the last 3 years there has not been the least trouble 
E. A. Bradley. 
9 
225. 
4 yrs. 
yes 
no 
with the system. 
Montclair, N. ]. 
Francis Speer, 
135 Duane St. N.Y. 
Paul Babcock, 
8 
25°. 
20 
5 yrs. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
I have my tanks or brick cesspools, opened every three months 
and the solid matter removed and mixed with the manure heap. 
8 
3° 
2 yrs. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
Only fact I can mention is satisfactory working of the 
system at my home. 
Montclair, N. J. 
Chas. Cooper, 
25°. 
2 >4 yrs. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
As far as I can j udge, where there is a fall sufficient for water 
7 
to run freely it is without fault. 
LGoshen, N. Y. 
John T. Rockwell, 
7 
400. 
i5 
2 >4 yrs. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
Have two 3 in. ventilating pipes extending above the house 
roof, one inside, and the other outside of the house, together, ven- 
101 Duane St. N.Y. 
tilating the entire system. The above is my only experience with 
this method of disposing of house waste. Thus far it is satisfactory. 
W. W. Underhill, 
12 
185. 
None 
18 mos. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
My experience and knowledge lead me to believe that this 
system might probably be safely recommended for general use in 
Montclair, N. J 
a town as thickly settled as Montclair; no facts leading to an op- 
posite conclusions have as yet come under my observation. 
Henry M. Oddie, 
y 
300. 
12 
3/2 yrs. 
yes 
yes 
once 
yes 
yes 
I can only speak from personal experience, that the system 
has been very satisfactory. 
23 Nassau St. N. Y. 
J. D Palmer, 
8 
200. 
3 yrs. 
yes 
yes 
yes 
no 
yes 
I regard the system as fairly successful, and the next best to 
the small pipe sewer system. 
Brick Church, 
Orange, N. J. NAME. 
'§ 
d 
a 
V V 
d £ 
a ft 
O 
O 4) 
2 g 
d 3 d 
p = c 
.s 
H 
a 
0 
£ 
o> 
<£ G 
V 
£ 
rG 0 
Ji O'O 
<u 
be 
G, V 
d 
d TJ 
&.S 
d d 
rX £ 
j* 
tG 
fil 
Give any facts which you think may be of service in determin- 
ing to what extent and under what circumstances can this sysem be 
s ° 
0 g 
S.2 
J 0 
ft G 
d O 
0 V 
O, 
recommended for general use. 
— — 
N 
c/> 
< £ 
o^.S 
0 rt 
a e 
< 
•s 
bfl 
G 
V 
J 
<D 3 
to G 
>» 
<V 
> O 
a 
•Tj 
<u c 
’S § 
Chas. A. Sterling, 
10 
400. 
12 
1 year. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
I consider the system excellent if properly constructed, and 
.sufficient area on the premises available for the distribution of the 
55 Broadway, N.Y, 
iowQo-e, It the work is thoroughly and scientifically done I 
would recommend it for general use, but otherwise it (the system) 
would be worse than useless.—! have the system in use on my prop- 
erty corner E Park St. and Washington for about 4 years wtthout 
any’cost for repairs, and now working very satisfactorily. 
R. C. Ryerson, 
Caldwell, N. J. 
Essex County Pen- 
9 
1 
200. 
10 
3 yrs. 
yes 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
iptrs Hlst-ributinp- pipes were first laid so that fluid from the 
itentiary, 
r T5° 
5°°. 
5° 
4 yrs. 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
fanVs reached onlv a portion of the soakage area and there was 
Caldwell, N. J. 
consequently, supersaturation. At present there is no difficulty 
with the system, and it gives entire satisfaction, 5,000 gallons of 
water are used daily. Since the introduction of this system there 
have been no cases of typhoid in the institution; previously there 
had been cases. 
Geo. E. Simpson, 
12 
240. 
3% yrs. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
Orange. N. J. 
I have studied the system and believe there is nothing in the 
W. H. Jewett, 
Montclair, N. J. 
4 
225. 
10 
1 year. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
world like it for surberban and county places. 
Brickchurch, N. J. Nov. 28th, 1884. 
Dr. J. W. Pinkham. 
Mrs. G. W. Thorp. 
5 
55°- 
12 
18 mos. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
Dear Sir. 
I take pleasure in returning the enclosed blanks filled out as 
J. G. Thorp, 
4 
450. 
12 
16 mos. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
per request of Mr. Geo. P. Olcott, who inserted the system under 
Brick Church. 
discussion (with modifications of his own, and with which I sup- 
pose you are acquainted) in two of my lots in East Orange. A third 
place in Main St., is in working order, but has not had the test of 
time as yet. I shall be glad to furnish you with any particulars in 
regard to these three systems at any time. 
Yours vers truly, 
MRS. GEO. W. THORP, 
per J. G. Thorp. 
Robt. Lane, 
6 
250. 
12 
2 yrs. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
East Orange, N. J. 
A. W. Greene, 
10 
35°- 
12 
15 mos. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
My impressions are so favorable at this time, that I would not 
avail myself of public sewerage if we had it. 
51 Leonard St.N.Y. 
My family has used about 350 gall, of water per diem, [to the 
J. R. Howard, 
14 
190. 
6 mos. 
yes 
yes 
no 
no 
yes 
great grief of the pumper], so that I think the system has been pretty 
severely tested there. It cannot however be fairly judged until we 
Montclair, N. J. 
shall have had both winter and summer experience of it, with the 
full alteration of discharges mentioned in No. 5, since we did have 
more or less foul odors for some time, where the ground was evi- 
, . 
dently oversoaked and could not take care of the water. NAME. 
Size of Family. 
Approximate 
first cost of system. 
Approximate cost 
of annual 1 
maintenance. 
Length of time in 
use. 
Is system free from 
nuisance? 
Is all house waste 
satisfactorily 
disposed of? 
Have stoppages j 
occurred ? | 
Is the soakage area! 
underdrained j 
Is it superficially | 
dry? | 
Give any facts which you think may be of service in determin- 
ing to what extent and under what circumstances can this system be 
recommended for general use. 
Orange Memorial 
Hospital. 
Orange, N. J. 
Jno. W. Handren, 
Dunellen, N. J. 
E. O. Doremas, 
Newark, N. J. 
Rastus S. Ransom, 
icc Broad way, N.Y. 
J. D. Cutter, 
144 E. 14th St.N.Y. 
Sami. Crump, 
Montclair, N. J. 
| 40 
8 
8 
6 
8 
Small 
1,000 
&35 
yrs. 
1% yrs. 
3 y^ 
2 yrs. 
8 mos. 
2 yrs. 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
1 
no 
no 
no 
no 
no 
once 
no 
no 
yes 
no 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
yes 
Experience in this case shows that underdrainage is indespen- 
cible when an area not naturally well drained is expected to take 
up a large amount of sewage. With good natural drainage and 
a small amount of sewage to dispose of, the benefits of under- 
drainage are less apparent, though it is desirable in all cases. The 
soil is underlaid at the depth of 18 to 24 inches by a layer of hard- 
pan, and the soil before the underdraming was continually water 
soaked during rains. 
I think it is the only system that can be used successfully for In- 
land Drainage, and in my opinion if it was universally used, we 
would have less levers, sore throats and throat diseases of all kinds 
than we now have. 
Think the system a good one, and invaluable to those who do 
not have city sewerage. 
I believe in the system thoroughly. 
I am not an expert; my landlord put it in ; it is satisfactory ; I 
have not been on tbe ground since the work was done. 
Methodist parsonage can be rented any time. 
10,00 
200,00 
IO 
160,00 
IO 
In order that the negative and affirmative answers in the above table may convey no wrong impression, I 
desire to say that in the few cases where qualified answers were given, they are represented in the table by a 
“yes,’’ which, in the answer was “yes to a small extent,” and by a “no,’’ which was “no not to any extent,” or 
words of similar import. Without this explanation the tabular statement would be less favorable to the 
system than were the answers received, which in no case represented that there had been serious difficuly, or 
that there was dissatisfaction with the system. J. W. P. Dr. Whitehorne, Physician of the Essex County Penitentiary, in addition to his answer to question io> 
further says : 
I would say that the fact of the utility of the system is patent, and under proper conditions is available 
for the healthful disposal of the sewage equally of the smallest family or the largest public institution. 
Before the change was made here the solid faecal matters were composted and made use of on the farm, but a 
large portion of the immense amount of liquid, holding noxious matter in suspension, found its way into a 
neighboring brook, and contaminated both the air and the running water, being perceptible as far as Cald- 
well village, three-fourths of a mile distant. At present the solids are equally available for composting, and the 
saturated liquids, by means of the system of laterals, are disposed of without defiling the running water 
below. During Summer the ground above is made use of fora kitchen garden, and produces abundantly, so 
that thus controlled, these elements otherwise poisonous, are made subservient to the good of man. 
Trusting that the foregoing may be acceptable to you, I am, Very truly yours, 
H. B. Whitehorne. 
I will add to this the opinions of several civil engineers who have had ample opportunities for obser- 
vation. 
Mr. Geo. E. Waring says: The subsurface irrigation system is much the simplest, the safest and the 
best, its cost is trifling, even where the water from the kitchen and laundry trays in the cellar has to be lifted 
with a pump to level of the drains. 
My own system has worked perfectly, summer and winter for seven years, I have never heard of a case of 
failure. 
Mr. Edward S. Philbrick says: There are so many places where this system is applicable and its merits 
are so great in such places that a full and detailed description of it may be of interest. The limits of its appli- 
cation are as follows: Wherever a quarter of an acre of grass land is available for a single family of eight 
or ten persons, or an acre for an aggregate of eighty persons, so situated that the surface of the sod is five 
feet or more below the level of the house drain, where it leaves the house or houses, this system will dispose 
of all their sewage in a satisfactory manner, summer and winter with very little attention, for a term 
of years. 
I now submit the question to you without argument. I will venture however to make the following 
summary of conclusions, which I think are fairly deducible from the foregoing testimony. In Orange, Montclair, Caldwell and Dun Ellen, New Jersey, in Goshen, New York, and in Bryn Mawr, 
Pa., the system of sewerage known as the Sub-surface Irrigation System constructed under the superinten- 
dence of Mr. Geo. P. Olcott, and Mr. James C. Bayles, of Orange, and Mr. James Owen, of Montclair, has, 
after [in many cases,] prolonged trial, proved a success. 
2. The first cost for a family and house of average size, is about two hundred dollars. 
3. The cost of annual maintenance is about ten dollars for such a house. 
4. The ground selected should be free from shade, and may be either lawn or garden. 
5. By means of this system all liquid sewage from the smallest dwelling house or the largest institu- 
tion, may be effectually disposed of without nuisance and without peril to health. 
6. This system should take the place of all surburban and country places which have 
sufficient ground for the distributing of pipes 
The following are a few of the specialties in Sanitary goods, Sold by Myers Sanitary Co., 92 Beek- 
man St., N. Y. 
Moule’s Eartii Closet, (inside view.) 
Eg’g’-oval Water Closet. MYERS SA3STIT A.PY DEPOT, 
92 BEEKMAN ST., NEW YORK. 
Niagara Long Hopper. 
Cement Stone Laundry Tub, with 
Galvanized Iron Frame. 
Myers All China Water Closet. FLUSH TANK AND ABSORPTION TILE AS APPLIED TO THE DRAIN- 
AGE OF BRYNMAWR HOTEL, (450 GUESTS), NEAR PHILADELPHIA- 
MYERS SANITARY DEPOT, 92 BEEKMAN ST., N. Y.