Manor Farm, Braydon^ Wilts. 393 



Composition of Mineral Water at Braydon" Manor Farm, Wilts. 



An imperial gallon contains : — Grains. 



Organic matter and combined water 7'91 



Carbonate of protoxide of iron '74 



Carbonate of lime 75*55 



Sulphate of lime 21-43 



Sulphate of ma2;nesia 168'03 



Sulphate of soda 124-10 



Cbloride of sodium 41 "01 



Carbonate of potash 6-93 



Soluble silica "21 



Total saline matter per gallon .. .. 445'91 



It will be seen that the water contains a variety of saline com- 

 pounds, amongst wh'-h the large amovint of sulphate of magnesia 

 (Epsom salts) and sulphate of soda (Glauber salts) deserves to be 

 specially noticed, inasmuch as the medicinal effects of the water 

 appear to be mainly due to these salts. The analysis also shows 

 an appreciable amount of carbonate of iron, held in solution by 

 free carbonic acid. This compound of iron imparts a slight steely 

 taste to the water, and no doubt adds to its medicinal virtues. 



We could have wished that it had been in our power to give 

 more exact details as to the cost of the management which we 

 have described. Still, we trust sufficient has been adduced to show 

 that grass-land on clay, however poor in its natural state, is 

 capable of improvement, provided the water is removed and 

 generous and judicious management carried out; and we venture 

 to hope that those who may occupy or own land of a similar 

 character will be encouraged from the experience we have detailed 

 to sfo and do likewise. 



XXVI. — On Agricultural Statistics and the Cattle Census. By 

 James Lewis. 



The history of the abortive attempts which have again and 

 again been made to induce successive Governments to set on 

 foot a system of Agricultural Statistics in this country affords 

 conclusive proof that to show the reasonableness and importance of 

 a measure is not enough to insure its adoption. An idea which, 

 at first originated by some ingenious observer, after long years of 

 germination becomes of general acceptance, has yet a most 

 formidable obstacle to overcome before it can receive practical 

 application. Legislation, with us, follows public opinion as a 

 guide, though oftentimes at a long distance behindhand, and 

 very rarely endeavours to initiate a course of action. There is 



