156 CHEMICO-AGRICULTURAL TOUE. 



namely, the great outlay it requires in the first instance to erect 

 the necessary machinery, and lay down the system of pipes, which 

 would require a far greater capital, I fear, than most agriculturists 

 have at their disposal. I was much struck with Mr. Mechi's well- 

 constructed farm-oflSces, and with the many ingenious mechanical 

 arrangements that gentleman has adopted (several of which I was 

 informed were of his own invention), by which the one steam- 

 engine of six-horse power is made not only to distribute the liquid 

 manure over the whole farm, but likewise perform all the mechani- 

 cal operations of the farm-yard, where steam-power could be ad- 

 vantageously applied. And at the same tioie the waste steam and 

 heat were as far as possible economized for the dressing of the food 

 for the cattle, as most of what they receive is previously cooked, 

 and given warm, which practice Mr. Mechi has found to be attend- 

 ed with the best effects in the feeding and fattening of stock. I 

 was greatly pleased with my visit to this farm ; and his bailiff, 

 James Drane, took the greatest pains to show me everything of 

 interest belgnging to the establishment, and gave me much detailed 

 information as to Mr. Mechi's system of feeding stock, the appli- 

 cation of his liquid manure, and other points connected witli the 

 practical working of the farm at Tiptree Hall. 



Before leaving London, I visited the Royal Veterinary College at 

 Camden Town, that I might obtain some information relative to 

 that institution, as the Roj^al Dublin Society had it in contempla- 

 tion to attach a veterinary school to its other departments. This 

 excellent college was instituted in the year 1T91, and parliament- 

 ary grants were at first liberally given for its support ; but for the 

 last fifty years it has been independent of such aid, and is now 

 maintained by the subscription of its members, and the amount re- 

 ceived from its pupils, and for the animals under treatment, together 

 with the liberal donation of two hundred pounds per annum which 

 it has for some time past received from the Royal Agricultural So- 

 ciety of England. The College is well situated, and occupies a 

 space of ground of about two acres in extent, and comprises an 

 ample range of stables, an infirmary, museum, lecture-theatre, dis- 

 secting-rooms, &c.-, and has several good open sheds and yards. 



There are four professors, besides a demonstrator, and a dis- 

 penser and clerk, attached to the college, which has accommoda- 

 tion for sixty-five horses, besides that for other animals. The 

 average number of pupils attending this institution is about one 



