I am unable to tell you what is generally considered the best practice, for I am not sure there are any definitely established rules; therefore I can only explain _my_ ways of doing such work, which, though I try to make as complete and at the same time as simple as possible, I know to be far from perfect. Plumbing and drainage work has grown up unconsciously with my landscape gardening, and not finding any texts or practice that seemed wholly satisfactory, I have been forced to devise new arrangements from time to time, according to the requirements of the case in hand. To give all the details of house plumbing this evening, or any _one_ evening, would be impossible, for lack of time, and not worth while even if there was time, as much of it would prove matter of little or no interest. I will confine my remarks, therefore, to certain elements of the work where my practice differs, I believe, essentially from that of most engineers, and where perhaps my experience, if of no assistance to other members of the Society, may excite their friendly criticism in such a way as to help me. There are two kinds of country places that I am liable to be called upon to prescribe for: _First._ A new place where nothing has been arranged. _Second._ An old place where the occupants have been troubled either by their outside arrangements or by fixtures or pipes within. Under the first head let us suppose a small tract of perhaps two acres of land in some inland town, where the family intends to live but six months in the year, though they are liable to reside there the whole twelve. There are no sewers and no public water. The soil is a stiff, retentive clay, rather wet in spring. The desire is expressed to have plumbing and drainage that shall be as inexpensive as possible, but that shall be entirely safe. In considering the arrangements inside the house, I find myself in the same predicament as the French surgeon, a specialist upon setting the bones of the arm, who, when a patient was brought him with his right arm broke, expressed his sorrow at being unable to be of assistance, as his specialty was the left arm. I have endeavored to post myself thoroughly upon house plumbing, but confess to only knowing partially about the wastes; the supplies I do not feel competent to pass upon. One class of annoyance caused by plumbing, perhaps the principal one, is due to the soil pipe or some of its fittings. Second quality of iron, poor hanging, insufficient calking, careless mechanics, putty, cement, rag, or paper joints--all these and a dozen other things are liable to be sources of trouble. Subordinate wastes are apt to be annoying, occasionally, too, to a less extent. The mechanical work can always be superintended, and within certain limits may be made secure and tight; not so easy, however, with the materials. There is seldom a valid excuse for ever making waste pipes, within a building, of anything but metal.