The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-04-14 00:00:00

DORSET COUNTY LUNATIC ASYLUM.

We have received the lest annual report of than
establishments at Clutrminster Ind Porno°. It
contains some intoning; information respecting the
innagment and economy of the asylanta and we avail
eursolves of it, to playa the same before oar readers
The kind-hearted and excellsot median superintendent
of the institution (J. Gustavus Byrnes, Buy.) informs us
that "the oecopatioos of the patiente remain mush al
heretofore, chiefly on the farm and garden. The mops
generally were very good, and this is the Arst year we
have grown and preserved for the winter ncient
potatoes, the disease being considerably len than for
many years past. Mr. Middleton very kindly gave me
a eart•hone early in the rummer, and we have been
enabled to haul away that immense mass of chalk in
front of the Superieterident's hone, besides carrying
oat the ordinary business of our mall farm, for which
we were formerly obliged to hire. The amusements
have been somewhat more varied; croquet hui been
added for both sexe., but as yet I. very little cared for.
I took the opportunity of engaging "Christy.
Minstrels" for an evening, and a very enjoyable time
woe the result The patients were thoroughly amused
and entertained, and I was much pleased to see the real
none:Union of the more amine Meese of music; the
comic parts induced hearty roan of laughter, and st
the end eoe poor girl said, so quietly , "Is that all, why
I could 'a stayed • fortnight to hear that?" Another
needs, was occupied in wonder and amazement at the
tricks and demit• practised by Matthews from the
Polytechaie. This son of amusement was most con-
genial to the ',ninth, and the steady pen/venom
with whin they marked the eszejnor, and tried to
find him out, was remarkable; and when they
felt how easily, yet suely, they had been
deceived, they literally shouted with delight.
The egg leek ins very succisedid, and the farmyard ,
patient dryly said, "What's the use of giving hens
barley meal? They won't lay; he do lay ten times
better. He's the one for I!" Mr. Biggs, of Combines,
notated by Mr. Pouney, very kindly came over, and
amused rip one evening by showing ante very Ant-class
pictures of the Paris International Exhibition, with the
aid of the ozy-hydrogen light ; alvo some capital
photographs of statuary, and many very amusing comic
illuatrations. I beg to tender my beet thanks. The
farm and garden aod the fat meat accounts will, I
think, be found satisfactory. The real cost to the
county for thorough good meat, after adding the
expense of keeping and deducting the mitual can
reseipts, is rather len than 6td., and when tbe fifth
quarier is also deducted (all of which is *woolen:ally
used) the price is redoold pate td. per lb., giving the
actual price to us of a little bee than 6d, per lb. Then
heti spook for themselves. Although the extra labour
and trouble is considerable, yet I sal sure no one
grudges that when the malts are so satisfactory." As
considerable Interest bee been manifested in the farm
Mg and fat stook accounts, we reproduce) them :

i a. d. Z 8. d.

.. 130 0 0
.--- 117 5 0

.. so
.. 166
.. 45
.. 65
.. 48
.. 26
.. 71
15 1
..
.. 12