Dry-Earth System

Improvements in sanitation saw the development of the Dry-Earth system which greatly reduced the odour associated with privies. The system relied on the use of specially designed buckets which were placed under the toilet seats. Ash or earth was placed in the bucket after each use and the buckets were removed at regular intervals. This job was referred to in the school account books as “night soil removal”. The soil was usually composted and sold as manure.