ON THE TREATMENT AND UTILIZATION OF SEWAGE. 145 



Analyses of the samples taken on the first inspection of the Coramittco 

 sliowed that the purification effected Mas, on the whole, unsatisfactory, espe- 

 cially on the south farm. 



]S"o samples were taken at the recent inspection of the farms, it being 

 desired principally to ascertain their present working condition. On visit- 

 ing the north farm it was found that the sewage was running into the tanks 

 at the rate of 280 gallons per minute. It was muddy, and smelt very 

 strongly. The cfllueut water appeared to be running clear and free from 

 smell, and the stream into which it is discharged was clearer than it was at 

 the last inspection. Some additional catchwater-drains had been put in, 

 and some defective subsoil-drains repaired ; but, as far as could be learned, no 

 regular system of subsoil-drainage had been commenced. The crops on this 

 farm consisted of meadow-grass, Italian rj^e-grass, mangolds, oats, beans, and 

 wheat, and were generally in excellent condition ; but the rye-grass is not so 

 strong as it was last year, probably owing to this being the third year after 

 sowing. There is plenty of demand for it at Is. per rod green ; and about 

 1 000 cubic yards of hay, of very good quality, had been made from it this year. 

 The other crops are described as very heavy. It was stated that a large field 

 of turnips, being infested with the fly, was flooded with sewage, which drowned 

 the fly and saved the crop, which is expected to turn out well, but rather 

 late. The wheat was sewaged twice during the spring, and was a very fine 

 crop, the Committee's Inspector computing the probable average yield at 

 about seven quarters per acre. The whole farm was described as looking 

 better and in a healthier state than last year. 



On the south farm the sewage was running into the tanks at the rate of 

 440 gallons per minute, and it smelt very ofi'ensively. The efilueut water 

 was very clear and free from smell. The crops on this farm were also look- 

 ing very well, but not generally so fine as those on the north farm. The 

 ryegrass here, as at the other farm, was not so strong as last year, from 

 which it would appear that three years is too long to grow and cut from the 

 same roots. There were about ten acres of wheat, four being on sewaged 

 ground, and six manured with the sediment from the tanks, both looking 

 equally well. Some hops which received sewage in the winter compared 

 very favourably with others which are too high above the carriers to be 

 sewaged, being stronger in the bine and of a darker green colour. A field 

 of beans was noticed, one portion of the crop being very heavy and healthy- 

 looking, and the other very poor and stunted. On inquiry it was ascertained 

 that the whole field had been equally sewaged, but that the portion where 

 the crop was so good had been drained 4 feet deep during last winter, the 

 other portion being left undrained. It seems desirable to call attention to 

 this circumstance, as aff'ording further proof of the necessity (already insisted 

 upon by the Committee in a previous Ileport) of subsoil-drainage in con- 

 nexion with sewage irrigation. It was stated that there was a ready sale for 

 the green crops produced on this farm. The rye-grass is appreciated by the 

 locai cow-feeders, who say that their cattle thrive well on it. Judging from 

 the experience of these farms, it would also appear that sewage irrigation is, 

 when properly managed, as well adapted for grain crops as for green crops ; 

 but the quantity which can be applied to them being comparatively very 

 small, the area for the distribution and application of the sewage must be 

 greatly increased in proportion as corn crops are grown by its aid. 



