148 
Drainage of Wliittlesea 3Iere. 
200 acres of wheat at 3 J qrs. per acre = 700 qrs. at 40s 1,400 
200 acres of oats at 5 qrs. per acre = 1000 at 20s 1,000 
1000 acres of 2;rass I 100 beasts at 3?. increase of value in a year 300 
100 acres of green crops J 1000 sheep at 11. ditto 1,000 
3,700 
8,650 
Total value of the produce of 8000 acres 12,350 
The amount of food for man and horses may be calculated as 
follows : — 
* Wheat, 3100 qrs. = 1 lb. flour at 1 lb. per day per j-ear for 3329 persons. 
Oats, 4000 qrs. = 2 bush, per week per year for 307 liorses. 
Bran, 155 tons. 
* Beasts, 250 tons at 20 stone = 5 lb. per day per year for 382 persons. 
* Sheep, 1400 tons at 5 stone = § lb. per day per year for 30G persons. 
This comparison between the producing power of the district 
in its former and in its present state shows results which may 
well encourajje enterprises of a similar character. It is true 
that the balance-sheet between the let-able value of the land and 
the cost of the opei'ations is disagreeably affected by the tax im- 
posed under the Middle-Level Act, for works, without the exe- 
cution of which the Mere and its neighbourhood could equally 
have been drained. This tax averages 12.9. od. an acre,! and its 
non-imposition would have left a corresponding amount on the 
profit side of the Whittlesea Mere works proper. 
But the accomplishment of a success, on however small a 
scale, must be reckoned as a profit ; and the satisfaction of con- 
templating the changed aspect of the district, as well as the 
improved condition of the neighbouring poor, both in respect of 
constant well-paid employment and better health, is alone a 
never-failing and substantial interest for the capital expended. 
Red Leaf, Penshursf. 
Composition of Clay, No. 1. underhjing the Upper Stratum of Peat, taken 
from the bed of Whittlesea Mere (sent by Mr. Wiclls). 
Dried at 212° F. 
Organic matter and water of combination .. (r23 
Oxides of iron and alumina 9'Gl 
Phosphoric acid '42 
Sulphate of lime 1'04 
Carbonate of lime 13*58 
Magnesia 1*51 
I'otash and soda 1"53 
Insoluble siliceous matter G6'08 
100-00 
* Taking wheat at 63 lbs. per bush. = 36 stone per quarter = 392 lbs. flour ; a 
beast to weigh 60 stone of 8 lbs. at 3 yrs. old, and to produce 20 lbs. in a year ; and a 
sheep to weigh 10 stone of 14 lbs. at 2 yrs. old, and to produce 5 stone in a year. 
t 13s. Od per acre on 1000 acres )^ ^ ^ 
8s. 9d. per acre on 500 acres f ° to 
