The alligator has graduated into the useful class. At last his sluggish energy has been usefully directed.
Recently a 600-foot 12-inch sewer pipe in Fort Meade, Florida, became clogged with sand and dirt. According to the Engineering Record several sewer-cleaning contrivances were used and $1500 was spent, but to no avail.
The pipe remained clogged as before. At this juncture the superintendent of water and sewers secured a small alligator, to which he fastened a rope. The 'gator was lowered into the pipe. After a struggle in the unsavory environment he reached the next manhole, dragging the rope after him. When he had traveled one section of the pipe, the rope, to the middle of which knotted chains were attached, was pulled back and forth and the obstructions removed.
Following this success, other alligators were used, until at the present
time ten are employed for cleaning sewers. They are doing what skilled
workmen equipped with modern apparatus have failed to do.