Mr Donaldson's letter on the cost and distribution of manure : 5th March, 1849.

  • London (England). Metropolitan Commission of Sewers.
Date:
[1849]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Mr Donaldson's letter on the cost and distribution of manure : 5th March, 1849. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Printedfor use of Commissioners only.] jHetropoIitan Commission of §s>ttocr$. Office, 1 Greek Street, 5th March, 1849. My Lords and Gentlemen, With reference to the Minute of the Works Committee of the 21st of February, “ That it be recommended that Mr Donaldson proceed with the distribution of liquid manure in continuation of the order of last year,” I beg to submit a statement of what appears to be the best mode of further carrying out the experiments with cele¬ rity and economy. The hose-pipes used last year will be again available, excepting two or three pieces which have been used for other purposes. The stock in hand, when the work was discontinued, consisted of eight pieces of suction-pipe, one hundred and eighty yards of 4i-inch discharge canvas hose-pipe, and three hundred and twenty yards of 2i-hose-pipe. I propose an additional length of three hundred yards of 3J-inch hose, and two hundred yards of 3-inch ditto, with lateral apertures, or with jets, as shall be found best in practice. By the use of 3-inch hose and jets, instead of the 2^-inch hose used last year, two men will do as much in a given time as could last year be done by four. The Commissioners’ barge fitted up with steam- engine and pumps I propose to keep at work applying the liquid to the land; and for its conveyance I propose to employ as many boats or barges as may be neces¬ sary to keep the engine at work. I consider six barges of forty-five to fifty tons each will be sufficient; and I propose to load them at the Northumberland-street Sewer by means of a hose-pipe carried up the sewer to where its invert is above high-water level; and through this hose-pipe the water will run into the barges without the aid of pumps. The barges, I expect, may be hired at about 30s. or 36s. a week. Some fittings in them will be requisite to prevent the surging of the liquid from upsetting them. Slight wooden partitions, lengthways, with a light covering will, I presume, be sufficient. (7.)