Sewage Farm Competition, 1871). 65 
but 13*1 per cent, of its weight of water. A sample of surface- 
soil of dark colour, consisting of gravel and containing fine 
roots, was found to absorb 65'9 per cent, of its weight of water. 
The subsoil from under this sample was very open gravel, which 
would absorb but 9 4 per cent, of its weight of water. These 
two last samples were taken from a field noted for its taking 
large volumes of sewage ; and in fact a very considerable volume 
of sewage can be applied to this field for several days, and but 
little etiluent water will flow off. The farm is not drained to 
any great extent, and it is more or less water-logged, and would 
be greatly improved both by surface and subsoil drainage ; but 
what is urgently required is the removal of the large and 
increasing volume of the subsoil water from the sewers. Not- 
withstanding the enormous volume of sewage which is poured 
on to this land, the effluent flowing off at all periods of our 
inspection was clear and limpid. 
A great portion of the farm consists of worn-out rye-grass. 
Water-grasses were to be found luxuriating in many of the 
fields, yet, notwithstanding, the farm carries a great number of 
horses and cattle. Some of the fields were very much poached, 
and the herbage was damaged, by the cattle which were de- 
pastured thereon. The sewage is conveyed and distributed 
over the farm in earth-cut carriers, and generally these carriers 
were clean and in good order. 
The Local Board's accounts, since they have had the manage- 
ment of the farm, show that there are only two years in which the 
accounts are complete in themselves, viz. 1874 and 1878, as in 
these years alone has there been a valuation at the commence- 
ment and termination of the financial year. The summary of 
the accounts for the two years for which the returns are com- 
plete — 1874 and 1878 — are as shown in the table on page 66. 
The profit and loss for the respective years ending 25th March, 
1875, 1876, and 1877 are shown by the following account: — • 
CROYDON SEWAGE FARM. 
Account for the Tears ending March 25, 1875, 187R, nnd 1877. 
Income. „ , 
£ s. a. 
Valuation, 25th March, 1877 ., 5,151 8 6 
Receipts — 
Year ending 25th March, 1875 7,256 0 0 
„ 25th March, 1876 6,760 0 0 
„ 25th March, 1877 7,162 6 4 
Balance-Loss on 3 years' working 8,0U6 10 10 
£34,336 5 8 
Expenditure. ,, , 
£ s. a. 
Valuation, 25th March, 1874 .. 4,732 3 <1 
Expenditure — • 
Year ending 25th March, 1875 10,636 5 1 
„ 25th March, 1876 9,577 13 8 
„ 25th March, 1877 9,390 3 2 
£34,336 5 8 
Loss = £2668 16_;. IIJ/. ^er annum. 
VOL. XVI. — S. S. 
F 
