De Burg's Nuisance—the Green Bones—Animal Hair—Bottled Flesh—Cheap Smelling Salts—&C., &C.
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DE BURG'S NUISANCE—THE GREEN BONES—ANIMAL HAIR—BOTTLED FLESH—CHEAP SMELLING SALTS—&C., &C.
In company with several gentlemen we this morning visited the now famous establishment of Mr. De Burg, manufacturer of superphosphate of lime, the most perfect fertilizing agent known in agriculture. The establishment occupies an acre of ground, and several large buildings. In the principal one of these is arranged the machinery for preparing the superphosphate. Two or three large mills, several small ones, some crushers, and a large bolting machine, with two steam engines, make up the apparatus. The ingredients used are charred and boiled bones, not green bones recently from the street or slaughter houses. Peruvian guano, animal charcoal, lime, and acids make up the balance. By grinding and mixing the desired result is obtained.
We visited the vaults in which the offensive flesh was said to be stored, but found them entirely empty. The hair was also pointed out, but it proved to be nothing more than the raveling of a gunny bag. Hair we are assured is too valuable to be used in this business. The bones we could crush to powder with our fingers, and from the guano we found nothing but a mild ammoniacal odor. A specimen of the flesh described as so disgusting to the neighborhood may be seen in a bottle. It is dry and granulated, and is brought to that state by boiling and charring.
Where, then, is the nuisance and smell complained of? It is allowed by all scientific men that the odor of ammonia is a disinfectant, and not detrimental to health. The crews of the vessels that bring guano to this port are never afflicted with disease, although they live in the midst of the odor for consecutive months. How can the Board of Health consistently direct Mr. De Burg to suspend operations until October? All the offensive matter so loudly complained of has been removed. There is nothing on the premises but legitimate articles of commerce, offensive neither to sight nor smell. Many thousands of dollars are invested in the works, large orders are in process of being fulfilled, and workmen are depending on labor to live. The ammoniacal smell is no doubt offensive to fastidious nostrils; so is the fragrance of the ailanthus. Weak stomachs, too, revolt at the perfume of patchouly. And because of this, are all such trees and all such perfumes to be annihilated?
We regret that the Mayor has not had a personal examination of these alleged premises. Prejudice, envy, and animosity have doubtless exaggerated the statements of some witnesses, as for instance the hair story. Eyes that cannot distinguish hair from the rough ravelings of a gunny bag, would be apt to look from either side of a fastidious nose. The business has been carried on in this district some six years, and the bad smell was only discovered when it was found that Mr. DeBurg was profitably engaged. It should be remembered that is is only in the vicinity of large cities that such fertilizers can be made, and it is well for the health of the people that such is the case.
Those who complain so seriously of this alleged nuisance, doubtless were aware of its existence before going to reside near it. Now, because they deem it unpleasant, they ask to have a capital of thousands suspended, a large and valuable water front to be unoccupied, and agricultural benefits utterly denied. We cannot see the consistency of this position. A nuisance is that which creates inconvenience or danger. Until it can be shown that this manufactory has such results, there is no power to suspend its operations. A legal investigation of the question would result either to the pecuniary detriment of the County, or to the draining of the pockets of the members of the Board of Health, if the fiat recently sent forth is enforced. The principle of the greatest good to the greatest number, cannot, we believe, be ignored because half a dozen susceptible noses contract wrinkles from the smell of ammonia.