1865.] Astronomy. 73 



few years receive nearly the whole of this enormous quantity. In the 

 mean time all the low-lying land along the course of the new sewage river 

 would gradually be receiving a portion here and there, as its tenants 

 realized the advantage of the dressing, and ultimately, in all probability, 

 only a portion of the material would reach the terminus estate, which 

 would, however, bv that time be in a condition to do with less. And at 

 length, no doubt, if the supply should exceed the demand for both these 

 purposes — reservoirs might be obtained here and there along the line, into 

 which pumps will deliver portions of the manure, so as to command the 

 higher land, fur which a portion of the sewage may be wanted. 



" It seems to us that the South Essex scheme — using the sewage in 

 the district towards which Mr. Bazalgette's channel already takes it — 

 using it in a district where the nuisance it will create must be a minimum 

 — taking it along a line where cheap land is to be had, to a terminus where 

 an absolute waste exists, which may be enclosed and fertilized — is most 

 in accordance with the existing experience in the use of sewage. In its 

 terminal enclosure, and the long line of suitable country which may ulti- 

 mately be benefited — it combines all the elements of ultimate success." 



The drought of the past season has resulted in an unusual failure 

 of the turnip crop ; and considerable difficulty is thus experienced in 

 providing food for the live stock of the farm through winter. 



The prices of meat and wool are, however, such, that the large 

 expenditure in grain and meal, and the refuse cakes of the oil-mill for 

 feeding purposes, will prove profitable ; and it is hardly to be doubted 

 that the large experience in richer feeding which is thus forced upon 

 the farmer, will gradually lead to a larger meat manufacture gene- 

 rally upon farms in seasons of greater productiveness, and thus, 

 through the larger dung-heap of the farm, to increased fertility. 



II. ASTEONOMY. 



(Including the Proceedings of the Royal Astronomical Society.} 



The science of Astronomy is ceasing to be so exclusive, and now draws 

 important aid from other branches of natural science. Putting out of 

 the question the assistance which the optician and his science have 

 always given, and which has been abundantly repaid in the important 

 knowledge concerning the laws of the propagation of light, which has 

 been reflected back by astronomy, we may instance the wonderful con- 

 tributions to our knowledge of the composition of the heavenly bodies 

 which lias been yielded by the spectroscope ; the share which che- 

 mistry has in the spectrum discoveries, and also in the composition of 

 meteorites, and the deductions derived therefrom ; the apj)lication of 

 photography to the delineation of the conformations of lunar, solar, 

 and planetary surfaces, and the positions of fixed stars ; and, lastly, 

 the great service which electricity is doing for the practical astro- 

 nomer in recording transit observations. In nearly all these branches 

 we have something of value to communicate, although in pure astro- 

 nomy but little progress has been recorded since our last issue. 



