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 CURRENT
DEVELOPMENTS IN
BIOTECHNOLOGY
AND
BIOENGINEERING
 Series Editor
Ashok Pandey
Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun,
Uttarakhand, India;
Centre for Innovation and Translational Research, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research,
Lucknow, India;
Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
 CURRENT
DEVELOPMENTS IN
BIOTECHNOLOGY
AND
BIOENGINEERING
Advances in Composting and
Vermicomposting Technology

Edited by

Mukesh Kumar Awasthi

College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University,
Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China

Zengqiang Zhang
College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University,
Yangling, Shaanxi, PR China

Ashok Pandey
Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and
Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India; Centre for Innovation and
Translational Research, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research,
Lucknow, India; Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability,
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Elsevier

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 Contents

Contributors xi 2.2 Global organic waste (OW) production 30

Preface xv
1. Introduction: Trends in composting and
vermicomposting technologies 1
Yuwen Zhou, Hong Liu, Hong Chen, Sanjeev Kumar Awasthi,
Raveendran Sindhu, Parameswaran Binod, Ashok Pandey and
Mukesh Kumar Awasthi
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Recent advancement of composting and vermi-
composting technologies 3
1.3 Technology improvement; traditional vs mod-
ern composting 6
1.3.1 Role of additive 6
1.3.2 Role of bulking agent 8
1.3.3 Microbial community driving
composting 8
1.3.4 Humification 10
1.4 Effects of earthworms to improve rate of com-
posting and compost quality 11
1.5 Dissipation pathways and mechanism of com-
postingx and vermicomposting 13
1.5.1 Resistant genes reduction 13
1.5.2 Pathogenic microbes’ reduction 14
1.5.3 Greenhouse gases mitigation and nutri-
ent conservation 15
1.6 Global compost quality assessment in terms of
composting and vermicomposting 16
1.7 Research limitations 17
1.8 Conclusions and perspectives 18
Acknowledgment 19
References 19
2. Vermicomposting technology for organic
waste management 29
Kavita Sharma and V.K. Garg
2.1 Introduction 29
2.3 Organic waste management techniques 30
2.4 Vermicomposting technique 31
2.5 Products of vermicomposting and their uses 33
2.5.1 Vermicompost 33
2.5.2 Earthworms 35
2.6 Vermicomposting for the management of
organic waste 37
2.6.1 Livestock organic waste 37
2.6.2 Domestic organic wastes 37
2.6.3 Agricultural organic waste 46
2.6.4 Municipal solid waste 47
2.6.5 Industrial waste (organic fraction) 48
2.7 Recommendations and limitations of
vermicomposting technology 49
2.8 Conclusion and prospective 50
References 50
3. Innovations in design and operation of
aeration devices for composting and
vermicomposting 57
Yumin Duan, Jianfeng Yang, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi, Ashok Pandey
and Huike Li
3.1 Introduction 57
3.2 Composting system regarding aeration
devices 60
3.2.1 Passively aerated composting
system 62
3.2.2 Actively aerated composting
system 64
3.2.3 Vermicomposting composting device
system 68
3.2.4 Emerging devices and promising areas for
technique development 70
3.3 Application and limitations of composting and
vermicomposting 72
3.4 Conclusions and prospectives 74
Acknowledgments 74
References 75

v
vi Contents

4. Composting system and mature 5.4.4 Application and deficiency of compost-

end-products production 81 ing technology in circular economy
117
Ran Xiao and Tao Liu
5.5 Conclusions and perspectives 118
4.1 Introduction 81 Acknowledgments 118
4.2 Composting techniques and design of compost- References 118
ing facilities 82
4.2.1 Composting methods 82 6. Role of bulking agents and additive on
4.2.2 Composting process 84 composting 127
4.2.3 Layout of a composting facility 86 Xiuna Ren, Minna Jiao, Xing Chen, Tao Liu, Yue Zhang and
4.3 Compost maturity 86 Zengqiang Zhang
4.3.1 Compost maturity indexes 87
4.4 Improved composting system for mature com- 6.1 Introduction 127
post production 90 6.2 The application of bulking agents and additive
4.4.1 Organic matter degradation through in the composting 128
composting 90 6.2.1 Types and sources of bulking agents
4.4.2 Factors affecting the composting 128
process 91 6.2.2 Types of additives 128
4.4.3 Improved composting for mature com- 6.2.3 The necessity of utilization of bulking
post product 92 agent and additive 132
4.3.2 Membrane-covered aerobic 6.3 The role of bulking agent during composting
composting 93 process 132
4.4 Conclusions and perspectives 94 6.3.1 The role of bulking agent on physical
Acknowledgments 95 properties of composting 132
References 95 6.3.2 The role of bulking agent on chemical
characterization of composting 133
5. Modeling and optimization of 6.3.3 The role of bulking agent on microbial
composting technology 97 activity of composting 134
6.4 The role of additive on composting 135
Zhaoyu Wang, Jianwen Xie, Ye Han, Haoran Zhao, Mengxiang Zhao
6.4.1 The role of additive on physical proper-
and Quan Wang
ties of composting 135
5.1 Introduction 97 6.4.2 The role of additive on chemical charac-
5.2 Principles of modeling of composting terization of composting 136
technology 98 6.4.3 The role of additive on microbial activity
5.2.1 Physical model 98 of composting 137
5.2.2 Mathematical model 100 6.5 Conclusions and perspectives 138
5.2.3 Neural network model 103 References 139
5.3 Modelling the composting process 106
5.3.1 Substrate degradation 106 7. Design principles of sustainable
5.3.2 Mass balance 108 composting and recovery of value from
5.3.3 Thermal balance 111 compost 143
5.3.4 Limitation and optimization of compost-
Chukwunonye Ezeah, Joachim C. Osuagwu and Ibukun M. Adesiyan
ing models 112
5.4 Requirements of composting models for predic- 7.1 Introduction 143
tion of environmental effects 112 7.2 Function of compost in soil 144
5.4.1 Organic pollutants 112 7.2.1 Composting process 144
5.4.2 Greenhouse gases 114 7.2.2 Process control in composting 145
5.4.3 Compost quality 116
 Contents vii

7.3 Factors affecting sustainable composting 146 8.8 Microbes involved in composting 176
7.3.1 Microbial activities 146 8.8.1 Bacteria 177
7.3.2 Physicochemical factors 149 8.8.2 Fungi 178
7.3.3 Frequency of compost turning 149 8.8.3 Basidiomycetes 178
7.3.4 Temperature 150 8.8.4 Ascomycota 178
7.3.5 C/N ratio 150 8.8.5 Actinomycetes 179
7.3.6 Moisture content 151 8.8.6 Archaeal 180
7.3.7 Electrical conductivity (EC) 151 8.8.7 Pathogens 182
7.3.8 Aeration 152 8.9 Impact of physicochemical parameters on
7.3.9 Compost pH 152 microbial activity 184
7.3.10 Social factor 153 8.9.1 Temperature 184
7.4 Feedstock characteristics 153 8.9.2 Substrates 188
7.5 Bulking materials 154 8.9.3 Moisture content 189
7.6 Composting facilities design 154 8.9.4 Aeration 189
7.6.1 Design considerations 157 8.9.5 pH 190
7.6.2 Scope of design 157 8.10 Microbes discharge extracellular proteins during
7.7 Design specifications 157 composting 191
7.7.1 Windrows 158 8.10.1 Proteases 192
7.7.2 Bin composting 162 8.10.2 Cellulases and hemicellulases 192
7.8 Conclusions and perspectives 163 8.10.3 Other proteins involved during
References 164 composting 193
8.11 Microbial community succession during
8. Role of microbes and microbial dynamics composting 194
during composting 169 8.11.1 Causes of succession 195
8.11.2 Process of succession 195
Peiyuan Wang, Siqi Han and Yanbing Lin
8.11.3 The role of high-temperature
8.1 Introduction 169 compost 198
8.2 Production and characteristics of 8.12 Composting accelerating microbial
solid waste 170 additives 198
8.2.1 Industrial solid waste 170 8.12.1 Types and sources of microbial
8.2.2 Municipal waste 170 additives 199
8.2.3 Agricultural waste 171 8.12.2 Effect of microbial addition on compost-
8.3 Characterization of solid waste 171 ing process 199
8.4 Pollution hazards, treatment, and management 8.13 Techniques used in profiling microbial commu-
of solid waste 171 nity during composting 202
8.4.1 Land and soil pollution 171 8.13.1 16S/18S rRNA/DNA sequence analysis
8.4.2 Water pollution 172 technique 202
8.4.3 Atmospheric pollution 172 8.13.2 Molecular hybridization technique
8.5 Treatment of solid waste 172 204
8.5.1 Incineration 172 8.13.3 Molecular marker techniques 206
8.5.2 Composting 172 8.13.4 Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR
8.6 Utilization of solid waste 173 technique (RT-qPCR) 210
8.6.1 Compost and composting process 173 8.14 Conclusions and perspectives 211
8.6.2 Compost treatment and differences References 212
175
8.7 Regulatory framework for industrial compost 9. Antibiotic residues and the effects on
176 composting process 221
Huanyu Bao, Qiqi Fu and Zifan Wang
viii
9.1 Introduction 221
9.2 Physicochemical properties and source of
antibiotics 222
9.2.1 Tetracyclines 222
9.2.2 Macrolides 227
9.2.3 Fluoroquinolones 227
9.2.4 Sulfonamides 227
9.3 Antibiotic residues in solid wastes 228
9.4 The fate of antibiotics during composting 229
9.4.1 The reduction of antibiotics in compost-
ing 229
9.4.2 Removal mechanism of antibiotics dur-
ing composting 235
9.4.3 The effect of antibiotic on the compost-
ing process 237
9.5 The acute threaten of antibiotic: antibiotic re-
sistance (AR) 239
9.5.1 The abundance of ARGs in different
solid waste 239
9.5.2 The ARGs changes during composting
process 241
9.5.3 The effects of antibiotics on ARGs pro-
file during composting 241
9.6 Conclusions and perspectives 242
References 243
10. Challenges and opportunities associated
with composting and its end-products
application 249
Tao Liu, Xiuna Ren, Minna Jiao, Xing Chen, Yue Zhang,
Shivpal Verma and Zengqiang Zhang
10.1 Introduction 249
10.2 The challenges with composting 250
10.2.1 Odorous gas emission 250
10.2.2 Greenhouse gas emission 251
10.2.3 Heavy metals passivation 251
10.2.4 Inactivation of pathogenic microorgan-
isms 253
10.2.5 The inactivation of weed seeds 254
10.2.6 Antibiotic and resistance gene control
254
10.2.7 Role of composting for attenuation of
persistent organic and inorganic com-
pounds 254
10.3 The opportunities with composting 255
10.3.1 The organic waste comes from a wide
range of resources and amounts are
huge 255
Contents
10.3.2 The influence of garbage classification
on composting industry 255
10.3.3 Solid organic waste aerobic composting
cost is low 256
10.3.4 The end-products have much benefit for
the soil 256
10.4 The critical aspects of composting process im-
provement towards a novel clean composting
strategy 257
10.4.1 Optimization of composting regime
257
10.4.2 The popularity of bulking agents and
additives 258
10.4.3 The application of statistical
approach 259
10.5 The benefits of compost land application 260
10.5.1 Changes in physicochemical and
biological properties of soil 260
10.5.2 Impact of compost land application on
climate change 261
10.6 Economic feasibility analysis of composting
261
10.7 Challenges for composting vis-à-vis circular
bioeconomy 262
10.8 Conclusions and perspectives 263
Acknowledgment 264
References 264
11. Life-cycle assessment in composting
technology 269
Yangyang Li, Rui Wang, Yiran Zhang, Sumeng Jia, Wenhai Luo and
Guoxue Li
11.1 Introduction 269
11.1.1 Life-cycle assessment (LCA)
methodology 270
11.1.2 Life-cycle environmental
assessment 282
11.2 Life-cycle environmental consequences 283
11.2.1 Global warming potential 283
11.2.2 Acidification potential 284
11.2.3 Eutrophication potential 285
11.3 Conclusions and perspectives 289
References 289
12. Economic and quality evaluation of
composting technologies 295
Jahangeer Quadar, Anu B. Chowdhary, Rahil Dutta,
Deachen Angmo, Sharanpreet Singh, Jaswinder Singh,
Satveer Singh, Soubam I. Kumar, Bhawana Sohal and Adarsh P. Vig
 Contents
12.1 Introduction 295
12.2 Composting 297
12.3 History of composting 298
12.4 Process of composting 298
12.5 Composting methods 299
12.6 Microbiology of composting 301
12.7 Factors affecting composting 302
12.7.1 Oxygen 303
12.7.2 Moisture 303
12.7.3 Temperature 303
12.7.4 pH 303
12.7.5 C:N ratio 304
12.8 Compost evaluation 304
12.8.1 Environmental benefits of
composting 304
12.8.2 Compost marketing and economy 306
12.9 Problems associated with commercialization
309
12.9.1 For municipal solid waste, heavy metals
content is one of the most controversial
aspects in compost quality and has been
extensively researched 310
12.9.2 Additionally, due to high salt content,
land application of some compost can re-
sult in increased electrical conductivity
(EC), which can limit seedling efficiency
310
12.9.3 Phytotoxic substances of fresh compost
can injure plant, as fresh compost can
have acids such as acetic, propionic and
isovaleric acids 310
12.9.4 The laboratory and on-site tests are done
to determine the stability and maturity
of bio waste composts during the curing
process 310
12.9.5 As people move closer to existing treat-
ment plants; odor is becoming a more
sensitive problem 311
12.9.6 Anaerobic processes aid in the decompo-
sition of composting materials in general
311
12.9.7 In addition to oxygen, the organisms
need moisture, a balance of nutrients,
and favorable temperatures, and pH
311
12.9.8 Agricultural wastes such as leaves, plant
parts, and dead plants account for a large
ix
portion of the waste produced on the
farm 312
12.9.9 Factors that may affect people’s adoption
of composting products 312
12.10 Conclusions and perspectives 313
References 313
13. Business models of composting for a
circular economy 319
Florin-Constantin Mihai, Ramón Plana, Joseba S. Arizmendiarrieta
and Ignacio Irigoyen
13.1 Introduction 319
13.2 Composting and circular business practices
in Spain 320
13.2.1 Circular economy of organic wastes and
their effects on the local society 320
13.2.2 Local synergies of circular economy
through composting 321
13.3 Composting and circular business practices in
Romania 339
13.3.1 Pilot project “Dobroiesti is composting”
– a source-separated campaign for green
waste (food waste and garden waste)
340
13.3.2 Bio&co social enterprise – project by
“Ateliere Fara Frontiere” 340
13.4 Conclusions and perspectives 342
References 342
14. Enabling environment sanitation and
financing by composting technologies 345
Jishao Jiang, Yang Wang, Dou Yu and Rui Hou
14.1 Introduction 345
14.2 Sanitary problems of conventional composting
346
14.2.1 Lack of supervision and sound qual-
ity standards for industrial composting
346
14.2.2 Adverse effects of traditional compost-
ing on the environment and crops 349
14.2.3 Backward technology and equipment
and low management level 350
14.2.4 The narrow use of compost products and
low market acceptance 351
x Contents
14.3 Necessary conditions for the development of
sanitary composting 352
14.3.1 Strengthen government supervision and
formulate reasonable standards 352
14.3.2 Support of finance and preferential poli-
cies 353
14.3.3 Broaden compost usage and improve
compost benefit 354
14.3.4 Strengthen technical development and
promote technology and equipment
355
14.4 Innovative approaches for promoting the envi-
ronmental sanitation of composting in different
countries 356
14.4.1 Innovative approaches for promoting
the environmental sanitation of com-
posting developed countries 356
14.4.2 Innovative approaches for promoting
the environmental sanitation of com-
posting in developing countries 357
14.5 Outlook of the future development of environ-
mental sanitation for composting 359
14.6 Conclusions and perspectives 360
Acknowledgments 361
References 361
Index 367
 Contributors
Ibukun M. Adesiyan Institute of Ecology and
Environmental Studies, Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; Achievers
University, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria
Deachen Angmo Department of Botanical and
Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev Uni-
versity, Amritsar, India
Joseba S. Arizmendiarrieta Public University of
Navarre, Dept. Agronomy, Biotechnology and
Food, Pamplona- Iruña, Navarre, Spain
Mukesh Kumar Awasthi College of Natural Re-
sources and Environment, Northwest A&F Uni-
versity, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
Sanjeev Kumar Awasthi College of Natural Re-
sources and Environment, Northwest A&F Uni-
versity, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
Huanyu Bao State Key Laboratory of Urban Wa-
ter Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute
of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province,
PR China
Parameswaran Binod Microbial Processes and
Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute
for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology
(CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, In-
dia
Hong Chen College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, Shaanxi Province, China
Xing Chen College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, PR China
Anu B. Chowdhary Department of Botanical
and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev
University, Amritsar, India
Yumin Duan College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, Shaanxi Province, China
xi
Rahil Dutta Department of Botanical and Envi-
ronmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev Univer-
sity, Amritsar, India
Chukwunonye Ezeah Department of Civil En-
gineering, Alex Ekwueme Federal University,
Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Qiqi Fu State Key Laboratory of Urban Water
Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of
Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR
China
V.K. Garg Department of Environmental Science
and Technology, Central University of Punjab,
Bathinda, India
Siqi Han College of Life Sciences, Northwest
A&F University, Yangling, PR China
Ye Han College of Natural Resources and Envi-
ronment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling,
PR China
Rui Hou School of Environment, Henan Normal
University, Xinxiang, Henan, PR China
Ignacio Irigoyen Public University of Navarre,
Dept. Agronomy, Biotechnology and Food,
Pamplona- Iruña, Navarre, Spain
Sumeng Jia Beijing Key Laboratory of Farm-
land Soil Pollution Prevention and Remedia-
tion, College of Resources and Environmental
Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing,
China
Jishao Jiang School of Environment, Henan
Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, PR China
Minna Jiao College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, PR China
Soubam I. Kumar Department of Botanical and
Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev Uni-
versity, Amritsar, India
xii Contributors
Guoxue Li Beijing Key Laboratory of Farm-
land Soil Pollution Prevention and Remedia-
tion, College of Resources and Environmental
Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing,
China; Organic Recycling Institute (Suzhou) of
China Agricultural University and Suzhou Vi-
Hong Biotechnology, Wuzhong, Jiangsu, China
Huike Li College of Natural Resources and En-
vironment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, Shaanxi Province, China
Yangyang Li Beijing Key Laboratory of Farm-
land Soil Pollution Prevention and Remedia-
tion, College of Resources and Environmental
Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing,
China
Yanbing Lin College of Life Sciences, Northwest
A&F University, Yangling, PR China
Hong Liu College of Natural Resources and En-
vironment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, Shaanxi Province, China
Tao Liu College of Natural Resources and Envi-
ronment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling,
Shaanxi, PR, China
Wenhai Luo Beijing Key Laboratory of Farm-
land Soil Pollution Prevention and Remedia-
tion, College of Resources and Environmental
Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing,
China; Organic Recycling Institute (Suzhou) of
China Agricultural University and Suzhou Vi-
Hong Biotechnology, Wuzhong, Jiangsu, China
Florin-Constantin Mihai CERNESIM Center,
Department of Exact Sciences and Natural
Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research,
“Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Iasi,
Romania
Joachim C. Osuagwu Department of Civil Engi-
neering, Federal University of Technology, Ow-
erri, Nigeria.
Ashok Pandey Sustainability Cluster, School of
Engineering, University of Petroleum and En-
ergy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India;
Centre for Innovation and Translational Re-
search, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Re-
search, Lucknow, India; Centre for Energy and
Environmental Sustainability, Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh, India
Ramón Plana Organic Waste Management Con-
sultancy, Barcelona, Spain
Jahangeer Quadar Department of Botanical and
Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev Uni-
versity, Amritsar, India
Xiuna Ren College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, PR China
Kavita Sharma Department of Environmental
Science and Engineering, Guru Jambheshwar
University of Science and Technology, Hisar, In-
dia
Raveendran Sindhu Microbial Processes and
Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute
for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology
(CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, In-
dia; Department of Food Technology, TKM In-
stitute of Technology, Kollam, Kerala, India
Satveer Singh Department of Botanical and En-
vironmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev Univer-
sity, Amritsar, India
Sharanpreet Singh Department of Botanical and
Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev Uni-
versity, Amritsar, India
Jaswinder Singh Department of Zoology,
Khalsa College Amritsar, India
Bhawana Sohal Department of Botanical and
Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev Uni-
versity, Amritsar, India
Shivpal Verma College of Natural Resources
and Environment, Northwest A&F University,
Yangling, Shaanxi, PR China
Adarsh P. Vig Department of Botanical and En-
vironmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev Univer-
sity, Amritsar, India
Peiyuan Wang College of Life Sciences, North-
west A&F University, Yangling, PR China
Quan Wang College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, PR China
Rui Wang Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland
Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation,
College of Resources and Environmental Sci-
ences, China Agricultural University, Beijing,
China
 Contributors
Yang Wang School of Environment, Henan Nor-
mal University, Xinxiang, Henan, PR China
Zhaoyu Wang College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, PR China
Zifan Wang State Key Laboratory of Urban Wa-
ter Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute
of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province,
PR China
Ran Xiao Interdisciplinary Research Center for
Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze
River Basin, College of Resources and Environ-
ment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
Jianwen Xie College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, PR China
Jianfeng Yang College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, Shaanxi Province, China
Dou Yu School of Environment, Henan Normal
University, Xinxiang, Henan, PR China
xiii
Yiran Zhang Beijing Key Laboratory of Farm-
land Soil Pollution Prevention and Remedia-
tion, College of Resources and Environmental
Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing,
China
Yue Zhang College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, Shaanxi, PR China
Zengqiang Zhang College of Natural Resources
and Environment, Northwest A&F University,
Yangling, Shaanxi, PR China
Haoran Zhao College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, PR China
Mengxiang Zhao College of Natural Resources
and Environment, Northwest A&F University,
Yangling, PR China
Yuwen Zhou College of Natural Resources and
Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yan-
gling, Shaanxi Province, China
 Preface
The book entitled “Advances in Compost-
ing and Vermicomposting Technology” is a part
of the comprehensive series on Current De-
velopments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering
(Editor-in-Chief: Ashok Pandey). It presents
advancement in the composting and vermi-
composting technology for the organic waste
recycling and management. It summarizes
the state-of-art development on the subject
matter, covering the conventional and re-
cent advancements in composting and ver-
micomposting technologies, information re-
garding the mitigation of greenhouse gases
emission and resistant genes, and recovery
of value-added materials in the composting
sectors. Furthermore, it includes models and
available upgradation, global case studies,
opportunities and challenges (technical con-
straints, institutional constraints, and social
constraints) associated with the composting
technology advancement and finally, the ap-
plication of life-cycle assessment and con-
siderations in economic evaluation of com-
posting technologies and other organic waste
treatment strategies. It also describes various
kinds of agroindustrial wastes and domestic
wastes recycling, employing different kind
of bulking agents, organic and inorganic ad-
ditives, microbial consortium, worms, black
soldier fly larvae, etc. It describes the bio-
logical, biochemical, and physiological pro-
file changes taking place during the various
types of composting and vermicomposting
processes.
The book begins with a chapter
summarizing the recent trends of composting
and vermicomposting technologies
development as well as highlights the
xv
contribution of earthworms and microbes to
the composting performance and compost
quality improvement. Chapter 2 discusses
precisely about vermicomposting technology
for the treatment of nontoxic biodegradable
wastes. Several methods are introduced in
this chapter about the waste management
and sustainable interventions needed for the
organic waste recycling. Vermicomposting
is one such technique which is economically
viable and has manifold advantages
over other nonscientific waste disposal
techniques. Chapter 3 gives an overview of
the composting systems based on aeration
mode and presents the development trends
as well as proposes the innovation ideals
in daily life. It recommends to combine
the economically feasible intelligent control
system and increase innovation technique
ideals and applications in industrialization.
Chapter 4 provides a holistic overview
of composting systems and mature end-
products production, and also discusses
the viable practices of organic waste
management and resource recovery for
sustainable development. Chapter 5 mainly
emphasizes for modeling and optimization
of composting technology and describes
various kinds of composting models (e.g.,
physical model, mathematical model,
and neural network) and predictions of
composting performance, discovery of
new theoretical concepts, and solving the
composting practical problems. Chapter 6
focuses on the role of biochar and bulking
agents and additive on composting. Addition
of biochar has a significant positive impact
on optimizing aforementioned issues by
xvi
adjusting the moisture content, C/N, O2
diffusion and porosity, which are beneficial
for the microbial growth and activities. The
additives amendments transform the degrad-
able organic matter into stable and sanitary
fertilizers through a series of biochemical
reactions. Chapter 7 describes important
principles of design, operation, and recovery
of value from sustainable composting
facilities. Key aspects considered here include
composting methods, process control, factors
affecting sustainable composting, feedstock
characteristics, and composting facilities
design. Chapter 8 summarizes the recent
update on the role of microbes, microbial
consortium developments, and microbial
dynamics during the composting. Chapter
9 discusses the modern technology devel-
opment for antibiotic residues composting.
In addition, the physicochemical properties
and antibiotic residues in solid wastes have
been evaluated and the fate of antibiotics and
antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) during
the composting process are thoroughly
summarized and critically evaluated.
Besides, the removal mechanisms and
the effect of antibiotics on the composting
process and ARGs profile during composting
are also thoroughly assessed in this chapter.
Chapter 10 introduces the challenges and
opportunities associated with composting
and end-products applications in global
scenario. At the same time, this chapter also
looks forward to the environmental impact
and future development prospects of the
technology advancement, providing further
insights for the application of the technology
in the closed loop of the circular bioeconomy.
Chapter 11 evaluates the life-cycle
assessment (LCA) for composting technology
development and environmental perfor-
mance of composting system. Furthermore,
LCA also provides potential useful insights
to guide the strategies for minimizing the
environmental footprint of composting. The
Preface
environmental benefits and burdens of the
entire closed loop from waste to food should
be assessed from a long-term sustainability
perspective. Chapter 12 mainly focuses on
the economic evaluation of composting
and vermicomposting technologies, and
compost marketing and economy with
various factors that may influence the
demand for the compost product, compost
economy, and problems associated with its
commercialization. Chapter 13 deals with
the role of composting as a sound business
model for a circular economy mechanism in
bio-waste management. Best practices from
Spain and Romania reveal innovative and
cost-efficient processes which integrate the
composting, multi-stakeholders cooperation
(local authorities, waste operators, Non-
Governmental Organizations, researchers,
consultants, citizens, etc.), business oppor-
tunities, and social inclusion (vulnerable
individuals and marginalized communities)
in line with circular economy principles.
Chapter 14 summarizes the problems of
environment sanitation and financing by
composting technologies, and provides
corresponding solutions, mainly from the
following aspects: strengthening government
supervision and formulating reasonable
standards; the support of finance and
preferential policies; broadening compost
usage and improving compost benefit; and
strengthening technical development and
promoting technology and equipment. In
addition, the innovative approaches for
promoting the environmental sanitation by
composting in developed and developing
countries have been briefly summarized.
We believe this book will provide exten-
sive updated information about the appropri-
ate technological improvement in compost-
ing sector and innovative strategies, both for
formulation of feedstock and clean compost
production as well as safe application. The
book will provide extensive knowledge to
 Preface xvii

the professionals, teachers, researchers, pol- Editor; Ms Katie Hammon, Senior Acquisi-
icy makers, and graduate students working tions Editor; Editorial Project Manager, and
in the organic waste recycling biotechnology, the entire production team of Elsevier for
biochemical and environmental engineering, their support and cooperation in publishing
applied microbiology, and composting tech- this book.
nology.
We are thankful to the authors for their Editors
contributions presenting comprehensive sci- Mukesh Kumar Awasthi
entific information on subject matter. We Zengqiang Zhang
are grateful to the reviewers for their criti- Ashok Pandey
cal reading of the chapters and giving com-
ments which led to the scientific enrichment
of this volume. We acknowledge Dr Kostas
Marinakis, Former Senior Book Acquisition
 C H A P T E R

1
Introduction: Trends in
composting and vermicomposting
technologies
Yuwen Zhou a, Hong Liu a, Hong Chen a,
Sanjeev Kumar Awasthi a, Raveendran Sindhu b,c,
Parameswaran Binod b, Ashok Pandey d,e,f and
Mukesh Kumar Awasthi a
a
College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University,
Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China b Microbial Processes and Technology Division,
CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST),
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India c Department of Food Technology, TKM Institute
of Technology, Kollam, Kerala, India d Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering,
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India e Centre
for Innovation and Translational Research, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology
Research, Lucknow, India f Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability,
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

1.1 Introduction
The breeding of a large number of animals in China has given birth to the problem of
rational treatment of livestock and poultry manure [1]. As wastes, the organic matter in
livestock and poultry manure is not fully recycled. These huge manure yields are worrying,
because the non-standard treatment of these wastes will also cause many environmental
problems, which pollutes soil and water bodies [2]. Aware of the threat that it may contain
excessive microplastics [3]. Yet it is a potential sustainable resource with great energy. More
and more people think of using composting technology for organic waste treatment [4,5]. In
different treatment methods, composting is more convenient, economically effective, and pro-
duces more stable organic fertilizer [6]. Simultaneously, vermicomposting with earthworms is

Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Advances in 1 Copyright 

c 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Composting and Vermicomposting Technology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91874-9.00004-8
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
The Project Gutenberg eBook of 14000 miles, a
carriage and two women
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United
States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away
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eBook.

Title: 14000 miles, a carriage and two women

Author: Frances S. Howe

Release date: August 31, 2023 [eBook #71527]

Language: English

Original publication: United States: Sentinel Printing Co, 1906

Credits: Fiona Holmes and the Online Distributed Proofreading

Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced
from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14000

MILES, A CARRIAGE AND TWO WOMEN ***
 Transcriber's Note
Page 74—enthusiatically changed to enthusiastically
Page 127—lettter changed to letter
Page 215—Pemigewassett changed to Pemigewasset
Page 263—hime changed to home
Page 271—spic changed to spick

Ready for a Seven Hundred Miles Drive.

See page 265.
 14000 MILES
A CARRIAGE AND TWO
WOMEN
BY FRANCES S. HOWE
“AWAY, AWAY FROM MEN AND TOWNS
TO THE WILDWOOD AND THE DOWNS.”
—Shelley
PRIVATELY PRINTED 1906
Copyright, 1906, by
Frances S. Howe.

sentinel printing co.

fitchburg.
 FOREWORD.
Many of these informal reports of more than 14,000 miles’ driving
were written for the Boston Evening Transcript some years ago, and
the later letters for the Leominster Daily Enterprise. They cover an
unbroken series of summer and autumn journeys, which have never
lost any of the freshness and charm of that first little trip of two
hundred miles along the Connecticut. A drive across the continent,
or even on the other side of the water would seem less of an event
to us now than that first carriage journey. This volume is a response
to “You ought to make a book,” from many who have been interested
in our rare experience.
F.C.A.
F.S.H.
Leominster, Mass.
 CONTENTS.
I. Summer Travels in a Phaeton, 1
II. Chronicle of the Tenth Annual Drive, 16
III. Old Orchard and Boston, 32
IV. Moosilauke and Franconia Notch, 48
V. Connecticut, with side trip to New Jersey, 73
VI. Dixville Notch and Old Orchard, 91
VII. Catskills, Lake George and Green Mountains, 109
VIII. Narragansett Pier and Manomet Point, 127
IX. White Mountains and Vermont,
(A Six Hundred Miles Drive.) 137
X. By Phaeton to Canada,
(Notes of a Seven Hundred Miles Trip.) 153
XI. Outings in Massachusetts, 173
XII. Bar Harbor and Boston, 190
XIII. Dixville Notch and the North Shore, 211
XIV. The Kennebec Journey, 228
XV. On Highways and Byways, (1894 TO 1904.) 241
XVI. Lake Memphremagog, 252
POSTSCRIPT. Buggy Jottings of Seven Hundred
Miles Driving, Circuit of the New England States. 265
14000 MILES
 CHAPTER I.
SUMMER TRAVELS IN A PHAETON.
“We were a jolly pair, we two, and ladies at that; and we had decided
to go, amid the protestations of the towns-people and the remarks of
Madam Grundy that it was not proper, and that there were so many
tramps it was not prudent for two ladies to take a trip with their horse
and carriage along the North Shore. Nevertheless, we take our lives
in our hands, and ‘do the trip’ in a large comfortable, roomy buggy,”
etc.
A letter in the Boston Evening Transcript, under the heading “Along
the North Shore,” from which the paragraph above is taken, so aptly
describes a part of one of our journeys, that we cannot resist the
temptation to tell you something of our travels, which our friends no
longer consider daring and experimental, but a thoroughly sensible
and delightful way of combining rest and pleasure.
In the summer of 1872, “we two, and ladies at that,” made our trial
trip, with the consent and approval of family friends for our
encouragement, and the misgivings and fears of those outside to
inspire us with caution. Tramps were not in fashion, and I have
forgotten what was the terror of those days. Like the “other two,” we
were equipped with a pet horse—safe, but with no lack of spirit—a
roomy phaeton, with lunch basket, wraps, books, fancy work and
writing materials all at hand. Our bags, with rubber coverings, were
strapped underneath the carriage. Some cautious reader may like to
know that we did not forget to put in the “box” a wrench, a bottle of
oil, strong cord, etc., for emergencies. Of course we had a map, for
geography was not taught very practically in our school days, and we
should be lost without one. We made no definite plans beyond the
first day, but had vaguely in mind, if all went well, to drive through the
valley of the Connecticut River.
Our first day’s ride took us around Wachusett. We did not delay to
climb its woody slopes, for we had many times visited our little
mountain, and knew its charms by heart. It was new scenes we were
seeking, and we were eagerly anticipating the drive along the
Connecticut, fancying that much more beautiful and romantic than
the familiar hills. It was not until we reached the hot, sandy roads,
and were surrounded by tobacco fields, with rarely a glimpse of the
river, that we realized that valleys are most enjoyable when seen
from the hill-tops. The peculiar charm of the view from Mt. Holyoke
we can never forget. A picture like that of the Northampton
meadows, with the silvery river winding through them, we have found
on no other hill or mountain-top.
If this trial journey had proved our last, we would like to recall it in
detail; but, as it has been succeeded by others more extended, we
must hastily pass by the novelty of our first crossing the Connecticut
by ferry, the historic points of interest in old Deerfield, the terrific
thunderstorm just after we left Greenfield, the Broad Brook drive as
we neared Brattleboro, the profuse quantity of lovely maidenhair
ferns by the roadside, dripping with the morning rain, our lunch on
the shore of Lake Spofford, and so on to Keene and Jaffrey.
How can we so hastily pass over the ascent of grand old
Monadnock? Perhaps we enjoyed it all the more for the repeated
protests of the youthful proprietor of the Mountain House, who
assured us the feat was impossible, as the heavy showers which we
had so much enjoyed in our morning drive had converted the path
into a series of cascades. The mists which had entirely concealed
the mountain were just breaking away, and we made the ascent in
the face of warnings and water, yielding to no obstacles. Before we
left the summit it was mostly clear, and we thought little of our moist
condition or the difficulties of the descent before us as we feasted
our eyes, watching the showers as they moved on from village to
village in the valley below, leaving a burst of sunlight in their wake.
Our descent was rapid, notwithstanding difficulties, and when we
reached the hotel, so delightfully located on the side of the mountain,
we forthwith decided to prolong our stay. After a cosy supper, for we
were the only guests, we repaired to the rocks to watch the sunset
clouds, which are rarely finer. It was mild, and we lingered while the
darkness gathered, until the mountain looked so black and lonely we
did not like to think we had stood on that peak alone only a few
hours before. While we watched, the clouds began to brighten, and
soon the moon appeared in her full glory, making the whole scene
one of indescribable beauty. The next day was Sunday, and a
lovelier day never dawned. The peculiar Sunday quiet pervaded the
very atmosphere, and we sat on the rocks reading, writing and
musing all day, enjoying such a season of rest as one seldom
experiences.
Two days more passed, and we were safe at home, after an
absence of only ten days, and about two hundred miles’ driving, but
with delightful recollections, which cannot be forgotten in a lifetime.
This trial trip was so successful that when another summer came it
was taken for granted by our friends that we should try again, and
we started, equipped as before with map, but no plan—only an
inclination to face north. Following this inclination took us through
many thrifty towns and villages, and gave us delightful drives over
hills and through valleys, until we found ourselves spending a night
with the Shakers on the top of a high hill in Canterbury, N. H. The
brothers and sisters were unsparing in their attentions, though strict
in certain requirements. We left them next morning, with a generous
Shaker lunch in our basket, and turned our horse toward Alton Bay.
As Brother George and Sister Philena assured us, it was the longest,
roughest and loneliest ten miles’ drive we had ever taken. The round
trip on Lake Winnipiseogee the following day was a delightful
contrast.
We now began to study our map, for we had not even a vague idea
where next. We started at last, not anxious, but aimless; and after
wandering several days in obedience to the will of the hour, landed
on Wells Beach; we passed Sunday on York Beach; then drove on to
Portsmouth, where we left our horse for a day to visit the Isles of
Shoals. The places of resort and interest as we followed the coast to
Gloucester, Rye, Hampton, Salisbury, etc., are well known. After
refreshing ourselves at Gloucester with rowing and moonlight
bathing we returned to Newburyport, where we saw the homes of
Lord Timothy Dexter, Harriet Prescott Spofford, and others of note.
An excursion on the Merrimac in a barge, and the drive by the river
road to Bradford and Haverhill, we found very pleasant. It was in this
vicinity that, for the first time, we were received ungraciously. The
good landlady of an old-fashioned inn reluctantly received us, after
rebuking us for the abuse of our horse, little knowing how much
more thoughtful we were of him than of ourselves. He looked tired
that night, for the seashore had not agreed with him, and I think had
her knowledge extended so far, she would have reported us to the S.
F. T. P. O. C. T. A. However, after cross-examination, she conducted
us to a room spotlessly clean, the floor covered with the choicest of
braided mats, and two beds mountain high, but expressly enjoined
us “not to tumble but one of them.” We left the next morning laden
with good advice, which, carefully followed, returned us safely home
ere many days, with our horse in better condition than when we
started on our journey.
Of course we were ready to go again the next year, this time starting
southerly, spending nights in Northboro, Franklin, Taunton and
Tiverton Stone Bridge. Thus far the scenery and roads do not
compare favorably with those in New Hampshire; but when we
reached Newport, we were compensated for lack of interesting
driving.
Margery Deane tells your readers all one needs to know of this place
of places. So we will find our way to New Bedford, leave our horse
and take a look at Martha’s Vineyard for a few days. Our first
impression of the “Cottage City” was that of a miniature Newport; but
this every one knows all about, so we will go on to Plymouth, where
we saw everything worth seeing. Plymouth Rock would have
satisfied us more fully had it looked as it does in the pictures of the
“Landing,” instead of being out in the midst of dry land, with a
pagoda built over it, and inscriptions to remind one that it is not an
ordinary flagstone.
We found much that interested us in Marshfield, Hingham, and
Milton with its Blue Hills. We have not forgotten a night at the
homelike Norfolk House, and an afternoon devoted to the famed
residences in Watertown. We drove to Point Shirley one morning
during our stay near Boston, and on returning gave our journey
another historic touch by going to the top of Bunker Hill Monument;
and still another a few days later, as we visited the old battle-grounds
in Lexington and Concord, on our way home.
Before another summer, whispers of tramps were heard, and soon
they were fully inaugurated, making us tremble and sigh as we
thought of the opposition that threatened us. A revolver was
suggested, in case we persisted in facing this danger, and finally as
go we must, we condensed our baggage that it might be out of sight,
and confidently took the reins, having no fear of anything ahead, so
long as our greatest terror—a loaded revolver—was close at hand,
not “hidden away in one corner under the seat,” but in a little pocket
made on purpose, where it could be seized without delay when our
game appeared. As we shall not refer to our “companion” again,
never having had occasion to use it, we will say here that it is no
longer a terror but a sort of chaperone, in whose care we rest
secure.
Our driving this season was within the limits of our own State, and
we have yet to find anything more truly beautiful than western
Massachusetts, with its Berkshire hills and grand old towns,
Stockbridge, Lee and Lenox. Our map was on a small scale, and the
distance from Pittsfield to the Hudson River looked very short, so we
ordered good care for our horse, and took the six o’clock train one
morning for Hudson, where we met the boat for New York. The day
was perfect, and our enjoyment complete. We reached the city at
dusk, and next thought to surprise a friend, twenty miles out, in New
Jersey, where we received a joyous welcome. The next day we
devoted to New York, returning by night boat to Hudson, and before
nine o’clock the following morning, after forty miles by rail again, we
resumed our driving from Pittsfield, delighted with our side trip of
nearly four hundred miles, but oh! so glad to be in our cosy phaeton
once more. The homeward route was full of interesting details, which
we must leave.
Centennial year came next, and we made our shortest trip, driving
only one hundred and fifty miles in New Hampshire in early autumn.
The tramp terror increased at home and abroad, and when summer
came again our “guardians” looked so anxious, we said nothing, and
went camping instead of driving. A party of twelve, on the shores of
Lake Wachusett, with royal accommodations in the number and size
of tents and hammocks and three boats at a private landing, diverted
us at the time. But, as the season waned, we pined, and before
October was gone we were permitted to revolve around the “Hub” for
two weeks, supposed to be quite safe, while so near the centre of
civilization. It was like a June day when we sat on the rocks at
Nahant, and like November when dreariest, as we drove around
Marblehead Neck, and watched the ocean so dark and angry; while
the chill winds pierced our thickest wraps only a few days later. We
shall not soon forget our drive from Cambridge to Hingham in the
severest northeast storm of the season, or our delight on the rocks at
Nantasket, after this three-days’ storm cleared, and we felt the
dashing spray. Our “Hub” journey was none the less interesting for
being familiar, and we did not omit the attractions of Wellesley on our
way home.
Early in the following July, the New Hampshire tramp law having
come to our rescue, we once more turned our faces toward the ever
beautiful Lake Winnipiseogee. We renewed our acquaintance with
the Canterbury Shakers, and as we always avail ourselves of
whatever is new or interesting in our path, stopped over for a day at
Weirs Landing to witness the inauguration of the Unitarian grove
meetings. After the opening of this feast of reason we were of one
mind, and without delay provided good board and care for our horse
for a week, and settled down to three and four services a day. After
the accomplishment of this feat we visited points of interest about
Centre Harbor. In accordance with our usual good fortune we had a
perfectly clear day on Red Hill, and appreciated all Starr King has
written of its charms. The day spent at Ossipee Falls and Cascades
gave us unbounded pleasure. We reveled in the rough walking and
climbing, and after exploring above and below the falls, we were all
ready to enjoy the lunch our hostess had prepared for our party,
which we spread on a huge rock in the narrow gap. Our horse rested
while we climbed, and the ten miles return drive to Centre Harbor
required our utmost skill. On the following day we drove to Concord,
N. H., a distance of forty miles. After spending a few days with
friends in this charming place, we drove on, passing a night at the
Mountain House, Monadnock, to refresh the memories of our first
visit there, and breathing the pure air of Petersham, Barre and
Princeton as we journeyed towards our own beautiful Leominster.
After these seven years’ wanderings, we were considered virtually
members of the great “Order of Tramps,” and from that time to the
present we have had full and free consent “to go to our own
company”; and when we boldly proposed crossing the Green
Mountains to pay a visit to friends near Lake Champlain, all agreed it
would be a delightful thing for us to do. We closely followed the
familiar railroad route through Keene, Bellows Falls and Rutland; it
was a glorious drive all the way. At one time we seemed buried in
the mountains without any way of escape, but we had only to follow
our winding road, which after many twistings and turnings brought us
to Ludlow. The next night we were safely over the mountains, and
soon were with our friends.
Our week in the cosy town of Benson, surrounded by high hills, must
be left to your imagination. We will only tell you of a visit to Lake
George. A party of fifty, we started at six o’clock one morning, in all
sorts of vehicles. Four miles’ jolting up and down steep hills took us
to Benson Landing, Lake Champlain, and in course of time (a dozen
people in a heavy two-horse wagon, and two other vehicles on a
scow, towed by two men in a row-boat, is by no means rapid transit,)
the several detachments of our party were safely landed on the
opposite side. And then, what a ride! We never dreamed that the
narrow strip of land between Lake Champlain and Lake George, only
four miles across, could give us so much pleasure. At first we held
our breath, but soon learned that the driver and horses were quite at
home, and gave our fears to the winds as they galloped up hills
almost perpendicular only to trot down again to the sound of the
grating brakes, the wheels going over great rocks on one side one
minute and down in a deep rut on the other side the next. We many
times congratulated ourselves that we joined the party in the big
wagon, instead of driving our good Charlie, as first planned. The
steepest pitch of all brought us at last to the shore of the beautiful
Lake George, at a point about ten miles south of Ticonderoga, where
the boat was to meet us by special arrangement.
Only those who have experienced it can realize what we enjoyed on
that bright day, as we glided over the mirror-like waters, enraptured
with the loveliness surrounding us.
After a few hours’ rest at Fort William Henry, we were ready for the
return sail. As we landed, our driver stood by his horses, eager for a
start; a few of us expressed our willingness to walk for a while,
possibly remembering the last fearful pitches in that rough road, as
well as the beautiful cardinal flowers and ferns we desired to gather.
After a walk and run of nearly two miles, the driver summoned us to
the wagon, just before we reached the pitch we most dreaded and
were hastening to avoid. We obeyed, and now galloped on until we
reached Lake Champlain again, and took breath while we slowly
ferried across in the gathering twilight. Our remaining four miles was
a glorious moonlight drive. As we entered the village it seemed
impossible that we had been away only since morning, for we had
seen and enjoyed so much.
The next day we turned our thoughts homeward. Not wishing to
return by the same route, we ventured into New York State, and after
two or three days reached Saratoga Springs. All frequenters of this
resort can easily imagine our routine there—the drive to the lake at
the approved time, etc. The roving spirit so possessed us that we left
the scene of gayety without regret, and on we went over the hills to
take a look at Bennington on our way to North Adams. We drove
over Hoosac Mountain, but have yet to see its charms; the mist
concealed everything but our horse. We waited two hours at a
farmhouse near the summit for fair weather, but in vain. As we
started in despair the clouds parted for an instant, giving us glimpses
into the valley, then united and came down upon us in a deluging
rain. Our dripping horse carefully picked his way down the steep
mountain, and when we reached the level road the water was nearly
a foot in depth for some distance. We splashed along quite happy,
for this was not half so aggravating as the fitful mist of the morning,
which every moment promised to clear away. The rest of our journey
was pleasant, but uneventful.
As we reviewed the drive of four hundred miles, we felt we must
have reached the climax within our limits. But no! we added another
hundred miles, and extended our time to nearly a month on our next
trip.
Lacking definite plans as usual, we drove to Lake Winnipiseogee
once more, thinking another session of the Grove meeting at Weirs
would be a good beginning. When the glorious week ended, there
was seemingly an adjournment to the White Mountains, and as we
had faithfully attended these meetings from the first, it was clearly
our duty to follow; so on we drove, resting our horse at Plymouth,
spending the night at Campton Village, and next day visiting in turn
the attractions of the Pemigewasset Valley, the Flume, Pool, Basin,
Profile and Echo Lake. Passing on through the beautiful Notch, night
overtook us at Franconia. On our way to Bethlehem, the following
morning, we left our horse for an hour and walked up Mt. Agassiz,
which well repaid the effort. With the aid of a glass we traced the
drive before us, through Bethlehem’s one long street, past the Twin
Mountain House and along the Cherry Mountain road, turning until it
nearly described a half-circle, and finally reaching Jefferson.
We realized far more than Mt. Agassiz promised. We were leaving
the beauties of the Franconia Mountains and nearing the grandeur of
the White Mountain range, and in many respects it was the most
impressive drive of our journey. The last four miles from Jefferson to
the Highlands, just at sunset facing Mts. Washington, Jefferson,
Adams and Madison, was beyond description. Here we spent
several days; for three reasons: We had surely found the
headquarters of the “adjournment,” for we met many Weirs friends;
then, too, we were floating about on the northerly margin of our map,
and could go no farther in that direction, and lastly, we were waiting
for a favorable day for Mt. Washington.
One of these waiting days we spent on Mt. Adams; two of us, out of
our party of seven, registering our names in the “little tin box” at the
summit.
It was an exhausting climb of four miles, up the roughest and most
beautiful path imaginable, marked out by the Appalachian Club. We
encountered four hailstorms, and suffered extremely from cold on
that August day, but the five minutes’ perfectly clear view more than