Q. In a specification with plan, recently published in the Bulletin, for a cheap farm-house and barn, I notice that the architect provides for a 4-inch tile-drain from cesspool to sink, the sink to be connected with the drain by a 2-inch lead pipe; also that a cast-iron slop-hopper is to be connected with the drain by a 3-inch No. 24 galvanized-iron pipe. Now, is not this bad practice? Will there not be considerable difficulty in connecting a 2-inch lead pipe with a 4-inch tile-drain, so that there will be no leaks? and should not the use of galvanized-iron for waste-pipe be condemned, on account of difficulty of making a tight seam?

A. You are quite right in your apprehension about the use of galvanized sheet-iron between hopper and drain. It is a little better, possibly, than canvas, because it might be tight a little longer, but we should expect it to be full of holes inside of a year. With care the lead pipe might be connected with the tile-drain, but a 4 x 2 Y should be used, and the connection should be below ground and carefully cemented, for, while it might be water-tight, we think it doubtful whether, if exposed, it would long remain gas-tight.