The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-08-01 00:00:00

MR. MEM% "AT HOME" AT TIPTREE.

In accordance with his annual hospitable custom, Mr. '
J. J. Mechi, taking advantage of the short breathing
space accorded to the farmer immediately before the
commencement of the all-engrossing cares of harvesting
operations, invited some seventy or eighty of his friends
to spend an afternoon at Tiptree Hall, In order that they '
might enjoy • pleasant tour of inspection round ths ,
ordered model farm, whose name at least is familiar as •
household word wherever agricultural periodicals find
their way. Those of the visitors who were included
among the earlier " arrivals" at Kelvedon were rewarded
by the privilege of being personally conducted over the
fields by their host, whose three score and fifteen years
sit 8o lightly on him as to give something more than
reasonable warrant for the hope expressed hy his friends
during the course of the day that he might he found still
hale and hearty when ten more harvests should have been
gathered into his barns.
The Tiptree Fans, as many of our agricultural readers
already know, consishi of one hundred and seventy acres,
the odd seventy of which were originally found by Mr.
Mechi as gorse-covered coniumn and untitled swamp.
Thorough draining and judicious cultivation have long
since redeemed this unpromising raw material, the result
Icing, as alleged by the worthy proprietor. an annual
return of more than double the average acreable produce
of the country. That there are some who accuse Mr.
Mechi of taking a semewhat roseate view of the financial
capabilities f his soils is tolerably well known. However
that IllaY be, there are the crops, to which he
triumphantly imints, to speak for themselves, and the
annual lalance-sleet is always forthcoming to any of his
friends who are sufficiently interested or curious to apply
for it. The greater part of the estate has an even surface
of heavy yellow clay, no which a nine-course system of
rotation is followed-clover being successively followed by
white wheat, rivett wheat, roots. wheat, beaus, or peas,
wheat again, winter tares (with an after crop of kohl rald
or cabbage). and finally barley or ,Oatri sa)1111 with red
clover. The clover which is mown for hay, yielded, on the
last crop weighed, two tons per acre, and the eiglitem
acres of rivett wheat now ripening show good full ears,
supported by a straw that cannot fall far short of five feet
in height This crup, it will be remembered, is being
taken immediately after last year's white wheat, though
it Heist in justice he borne in mind that last season's
cereal crops were not by any 111.,31116 'di beat y as to entail a
very severe exhaustion of the soil. Mangel on the heavy
land are looking healthy, though they would undoubtedly
be grateful for a little rain, and are expected, if favoured
with a few gentle showers between this and the end of the
season, ti make by no means a bad show lin the scale.
Mr. Mechi sows liii wheat at the rate of a bushel per acre,
barley and oats being put down at the rate of (rote six to
eight pecks. The light land—covering about 50 acres—is
test put down to red clover —mowed and then folded—
after which it is ploughed up for wheat, followed by
barley manures' with guano and salt. Italian rye-grass is
sown on the barley, making the third course in the rota-
tion. At the present time fourteen of the fifty acres are
under this crop, which is irrigated from time to time with
liquid manure, pumped on to the land from a monster
tank capable of holding no less than 120,000 gallons at one
time. Into this tank are gathered the entire manurial
products from the cattle-stalls, all of which, it should be
mentioned, are comfortably arranged under cover, with
grated floors to facilitate the collection. Steam power, of
course, is employed both in filling and emptying the tank,
from which pipes are laid down to various parts of the
farm discharging their contents, when required, at the
rate of 90 gallons per minute. Each portion of the grass
land is, s suitable time after irrigation, thrown open to
sheep, of which 200, ewes and lambs, are kept in stock.
So gratefully does the rye-grass yield to this treatment,
that Mr. Mechi feeds it down five times, the sheep, which,
by the way, are in first-rate condition, being, of course,
supplied with additional food in the shape of cake and
bean-meal. Two years of rye-grass are succeded by peas
for the London market, followed by white turnips.
winter wheat, and clover, thus recounuencing the rota-
tion.
So much for an outline of the system which Mr. Bloch'
with genuine pride and pleasure detailed to his numerous
friends, though there is yet unmentioned one feature
which that gentleman is never weary of urging. With
the exception of one small fence, not a tree or • bush is
to be seen within the boundary line—save • shrubbery
left for the very laudable purpose of allowing the small
birds to increase and multiply unmolested. The whole
feria is thus thrown open without impediment to the full
benefit of steam cultivation, the declared enemy of small
fields and high hedges.
That the immediate application of creature comforts
might not be overlooked, the guests were shown into the
dining-room of the hospitable " HaU," wherean excellent
luncheon was provided. Mr. Mechi, with a loyalty not
less enthusiastic than his live of agriculture, proposed
"The Queen and Royal Family," and "The Army, Navy.
and Reserve Forces," which he held to be the best
protectors of peace. Colonel Brims, M.P., returned
thanks, after which Mr. Samuel Morley M.P., responded
to the toast of "The Legislature. 1.. n the House of
commons, which he had the honour of representing, he
was happy to think that there was at heart more sub-
stantial feeling of unanimity than was frequently
supposed ; there was, indeed, except in questions of •
strictly party nature, • growing tendency between the
opposite sides of that assembly to join hands for the pur-
pose of making the beet measures for the good of the
country. Addressing an assembly of agriculturists, he
naturally referred to the question of education, with
regard to which he expressed his opinion that there was
reason to apprehend much danger if extreme measures of ,
any kind carried the day. It was the duty of Parli.unent
to legislate for the benefit cf the community; and
to force any measure that was repuguant to any
considerable section of the people was to take a step
which the Legislature had no right to take. There
could be little doubt that the less men relied upon
legislation the better, and that the sooner the
principle "Let each man be a law unto hinuelf" was
appreciated to its full weight the better should we be
both morally and physically. That religion should form
an important part of the education of the people he
firmly maintained; the question to be decided was rather
as to the way of whuinistering religious instruction
without rendering it unduly obtrusive. Ile had known
his old friend, Mr. Mechi—well, more years than he cared
to acknowledge-mud to knew him as a thinking,
practical man, who never failed to do good service to his
country. Mr. Mean subsequently proposed " Munieipal
l'orporations," coupled with his friend Sir F. Perkins,
M.P., who having duly replied, Mr. Welles, secretary to
the American Minister, responded to the toast of
" America." "Success to Steam I 'ultivation." being •
matter which Mr. Bloch' has fully at heart, followed,
accompanied by the enunciation of the Tiptree dictum—
" never use a man where you can use a horse, and never
use a horse where you can use steam." Steam was yet
destined to do for the agriculture of the country what it
bad already done for its manufactures. Mr. howler, as
an able representative of the steam-cultivating interest,
replied, entering an emphatic protest against restraint on
she tenant in agriculture hoklings. Till all such restraint
was removed we should never have the landlord's capital
fully hacked up by that of the tenant. The "Science of
" Agriculture " was acknowledged by Professor Way and
Professor Leone Levi—the latter treating the subject
from a politico-economical view. Before leaving the
table the aaselubly, on the invitation of Mr. Morley,
drank heartily to the health of their host in return for
the handsome and enjoyable entertainment he had
afforded them. The remainder of the afternoon was
passed by those who bad arrived later in the day in •
stroll similar to that of the morning, after which a
pleasant (our-mule drive to Kelvedon station brought the
majority of the visitors to within railway reach of their
hoines.—Detily News.

MALAYA TZA CONPANTS PURE INDIAN TVAirlnPseikels, the elkAast produd d Um Ansa Tea Growing
Country in the World.. AGENTS WANTIED In Towne not
already roprestated hal-squire, Londe..

PFIRURPTIT4I, 1, New Road Ba, Leaden. W. Hair Department.
I—A large solleetten of 011.1101111, Platte, Covered Steam
and Plain Twists of Hair In all Colours. Price fixed to
each article. Customers having Co-operative Tickets the maid
Dtscount Address WAITS* Tectuogr. I. New Bond-street, W.
Sempervivens, price 6s, is the new Hair Restorer.

fl
AM ROUSES. DAMP CHURCHES, Re., CAN RE
P CURED CHEAPLY and TIIOROITCULT by the
PETRIFYING LIQUID. Nannfasturstl Transparent or in
Colours. only by the LIVERPOOL SIL/CATE PAINT
COMPANY. "rh.o are also the Sole Manufacturers of the Petri-
fying Silitate Paint.

THE INDESTRUCTIBLE PAINT LI.IIIIPANY
Limited.
PATENT INDESTRUCTIBLE PAINT: for fitegun Engines,
Boilers, Rooting, Gaa Tanks, Bridge-work, Wood or Iron.
Ruda* Acids and Alkalies. Price 40e to Ms per cwt., equal to
II or 10 gallons.
PATENT ENAMEL PAINT, Chaffy or Flat. Any Colour
however delicate. Stands Ley scrubbier with soap and water.
Always used on the lamp Posta in the City of London also in
St. Paul's Cathedral, Victoria Embankment, Her Majelars
Opera !louse, Haymarket, kc., kc. Two COAL/equal to four of
Oil Paint.

--P-AIiRT ENAMEL SOLUTlON.—Perfectly waterproofs
Stone, Marble, Brick, Wood, Tissue Paper, and any other sub-
stance : but It Is fluid and colourless, and leaves no deposit. In
lonz and continued use at Bt. Paul's Cathednd. Is applied
cold, Geld per gallon covering 20 to SO yerds. All the above
sent out reedy for use : and no skilled labour neceseary.
For particulars apply to the °filets, 27, Cannon-street,
London, E C.

IRPORTANT.--11AT'S Patent Watetp-iii—oi
{
Por Shim' Decks, Sides and Bottoms.
For 'mune.: Dry Apartments (certain).
Coarosmoxs„ For a damp emirs° tor Foundations.
For Warble k Grained Papers. cheap Varnish
For Oat-door use. Varnish ICid ii.— gall.
CIIANDOS STREET, LAMPORT, Po—
AGENTS WANTED.

~e 1 per pa..
PORTSMOUTH.

A CCIDENT INSURANCR COMPANY
It Limited, 7, DANK BUTLDINGS, LONDON, F.C.
TROPT7,

. ..'ARLR paying from S to
a al per cent. Our SF.I.B.CTED LIST of the above personally
Investigated by ourselves, and thus forming a reliable guide
forwarded upon application. MARSHALL, BROWN AND CO.,
SS, Poultry, London, B.C.

TN% .7s-nnuiTs

" We are enjoined not to hide the discovery of bleating. found
by the way."
" They oome as a boon and a blessing to men
The PICK WICK, the NILE, and the WAVERLKY Pen."
To be had at all Stationers.
HITMOO PENS. By Pont I. Id per box The Standard
says :—" They area treasure."
The Patentees mutton the Public to beware of parties offering
spurious imitations of these P.n.
MACNIVEN LCD CAMSRON, 23 to 33. Skint ST., Itonnaraon.
"DONDM CRYSTAL PA I. WM only OOLD MEDAL MARK.
D INC INK. Sec each label has the Address, 75, Southgate
Road, London. Wholesale and Retailers are hereby
"AUTIONED against Felling any Colourable Imitation See
Pally Paper. for Action tried Dec. 17th and lath, before Baron
Cleasby : Verdict for the proprietor. A TRADE MARK is not
only a Symbol or Character but general apfmaranoe of Label,
whereby the Public soul,' be deceived. Messrs Wills and
Watts. Solicitors J. P. Yeatman., Esq., Barristerwtels.w,
Standing Counsel

ELEPHANT TOWELLING. THEE=
WEARING LINEN TOWELLING WADE.
Will out last halfa-dosen Wockabacks.
Its yarn is spun on same principle as old home spun yarns.
Bleached on the old bleu+ system. Sold by all Drapers.
raIIIST on your GROCER obtaining for you the 'BULBY
1 GLEN' and • THOMAS HALL'S' STARCHES "
supplied to the Royal Laundry, Balmoral.

RAT-E—YOUR CARPETS.
CLENPATRICK PATENT
tRPET LINING supplies a long felt want, adds greatly
to the wear of the Carpvt and to the warmth and comfort
of the nxnu, end 01 moderate in price.
OTAIR PADS prevent the Carpet cutting, make the step
I 3 soft to tread upon, and will last for years.
Sales of Carpet Lining and Stair Pads affray. increasing.
To be had of all Upbolstereis and Furnishing Houses.
Manufactured by A. F. &Milani & Co., Paisley.

DORMER'S Gold Medal BAK INO POWDER !Eska Puddings
ID Pies and Tarts sweet and wholtlsme.

IN BUYING a SEWING MACHIN&
Ana for
JOHNSON. CLARK, a Coh.

"HOVE 811111TLE"

FAMILY 1.017-K7STTTCH SEWING MACHINE,
ON TREADLE COMPLETE, LS 5 0
TO WORK BY HAND, 4:3 10 0
And If you nnot get them of 101i1 dealers send to the Head
(Mice in London for • Catalogue _ .
11111E8E 'UNEQUALLED MACHINES
I use a Staked Needle, make a "tick Stitch," have •
self-141114km tension and are adapted to
EVERY VARIETY of NEWINO for F.% uILY WEAL
FROX TICS L 10111.68? MIT4LINN TO 1116 1184VMM CLOTHS.
"The Beat Sessitic Machina' in the Market —B...win/Machine
Gait( fr. Every Machine Guaranteed for twig nom.
JOHNSON, CLARK di Co., Ilvolton, U.S.A.,
and 88, omen victoria-street, London. 111'

6sECLIPSE"