Nightsoil

The use of dung as a fertiliser has long been known, along with the hazards of using human waste for such purposes. Once the cess has been processed throught the Gongsters' Digesters however a much more useful fertiliser is produced. This is dug from the digesters on a regular basis as a sludge and transported downstream where it is laid out on "standing grounds" to dry before being either loaded back onto barges for trade along the river network or or sold to the local farmers and market gardeners.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Once it has dried, nightsoil resembles a fine earth. It has a slightly fibrous texture and, of completely dry repels liquid water. It has a feint, earthy smell (much to the surprise of those meeting it for the first time who know of its origins).

Physical & Chemical Properties

Night soil is a most excellent fertiliser. It is most popular among market gardeners, who manage relatively small areas of land and whose crops require a rich and fertile soil. Dug in at the rate of a pail per square stride each year it is reckoned to maintain good productivity whatever the desired crop. Two buckets a year will usually be used when trying to recover spent land or to improve poor land.

Origin & Source

Nightsoil is only to be obtained from the Gongsters of Morton. Other towns may claim to produce similar materials but these always exhibit one or more of the more repellent features of the raw material.

Life & Expiration

Night soil lasts well - its properties preserved for several years as long as rain or flood do not allow its properties to be leeched away.

Taste

Who would want to find out?