The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-21 00:00:00

Mr. Mechi held his annual gathering of agriculturists
yesterday, and it went off as pleasantly as ever. On no
former occasion has the attendance been so numerous,
the crops in better order, or the spirits or volubility of
the host more high. He was everywhere, had a warm
welcome to give to everybody, and explanations of pro-
cesses, reproaches against bad farming, hopeful antici-
pations of its future, and disquisitions and statistics on
the experiences of Tiptree, fell from him as thick as
the leaves from a forestlin autumn. Whatever may be
said or thought about the practical character of these
meetings they certainly are among the most agreeable
and characteristic of the agricultural year. In no
other country could the spectacle be presented of a
prosperous and enterprising tradesman stepping out of
hie sphere, and drawing around him such an assem-
blage to see and criticise what he has achieved in im-
proved cultivation. He gives his annual lesson in the
most fearless and uncompromising manner, yet savoured
with a good humour which is quite unextinguishable, and
with an amount of good cheer before which the crustiest
prejudices and the keenest appetites alike succumb. The
wholesome stimulants of free trade and the extending in-
fluence of a body like the Royal Agricultural Society
may in course of time dim the fame of Tiptree. The tall
chimney indicating steam power applied to the work of
the farm, the large quantity of house-fed stock, the
great tank with its accumulations of liquid manure, the
iron-pipes permeating every field, and carrying cheaply
aad in an easily digested form the food of plants, the
whole land thoroughly drained, cleanly cultivated, and
covered with most luxuriant crops—these and many
other improvements will probably, ere long, be adopted
by many other agriculturists near the metropolis. Even,
however, when Tiptree is rivalled, Mr. Mechi and his
annual meetings, we hope, will remain. Having sur-
mounted a good deal of ridicule, and the progress of
events having shown that, in the main, he was working
in :the right direction, the public are well disposed to
make-him their agricultural favourite. When improve-
ment was considered a forlorn hope he stood in the
breach. He lectured, he wrote, he taught by practice
as well as precept ;—he may be even said to have
"bled " for the cause. Now that it is in the ascendant
his friends are well inclined to pat him on his back for
his pluck, to countenance his self-complacency at Tip-
tree, to ramble with him over his fields and farm-yard,
to partake of his hospitality, and to hope that it may be
long before his shadow grows less.
Mr. Mechi entertained 300 guests yesterday, every
one of whom must retain most agreeable recollections of
their visit. The day was fine, and the first three hours
of the day were spent in examining the state of the
crops, and in testing the latest novelties in agricultural
implements. Whatever may be the effect of a very un-
propitious season elsewhere, at Tiptree it has done no
harm there ' • and while the agriculturists there seemed
to be generally of opinion that the harvest would be
short and late, not a grumble about the weather fell
from their host's lips. He has this year very excellent
wheat, and in other respects the produce of his farm
promises a good average ; but the two points on which
his management shows strongest and to the best ad-
vantage are his clover and his rye grass. These bear'un-
mistakeable testimony to the value of the new system of
liquid manure irrigation which Mr. Mechi has adopted,
and in the details of which he has carried out many
valuable improvements. The clover is a second crop, and
the rye grass a third, and both are exceedingly luxuriant.
It may therefore be regarded as the chief feature of the
present gathering at Tiptree ,that it furnishes, within
easy reach of the metropolis, a remarkable confirmation
of the large results which have been already obtained
in Scotland from liquefying the manure of the farm,
conveying it through iron pipes to every part of the land,
and by gutta percha tubing attached to hydrants, distri-
buting it liberally either upon the fellows or upon the
growing crops. Such a system not only saves the heavy
expense of cartage, but presents the plants with their
natural food in the most convenient, direct, and effective
form. It is a great step in advance ; and, being n 6
longer an experiment, but fairly adopted by the most
enterprising farmers, is paving the way for the introduc-
tioa of that larger and still more important change, by
which the sewage of the towns will be made to fertilize
the country, and, instead of breeding fever and pesti-
lence, will help to increase the supply of food for the
people. The next important point 'of any novelty
brought forward yesterday was the trial of Samuelson 's
digging machine. We had a better opportunity of ex-
amining this new implement at Tiptree than at Glocester,
and the result confirms the favourable opinion we then
formed of it. It is rather too much for horse power within
any moderate limits' but the manner in which it raises
and pulverizes the land, and the depth to which it is
capable of acting, encourage us to hope that the time is
not far distant when we shall have that most desirable and
valuable of all implements, and which has been so long
sought for—a steam-digging machine doing, the work of
unskilled agricultural labour, and relieving our peasantry
from the bondage of toil, the conditions of which are com-
patible with the grossest ignorance. The same influences
which are pressing upon the attention of the farmer
the importance of a good reaping machine, are also now
urging him to consider how he can secure deep disinte-
gration of the soil by more effectual means than the
plough, and yet without recourse to the spade. Mr.
Samuelson's invention, in its present form, can only be
regarded as an improved grubber, but it suggests the
praCticability of what is so ardently sought, and in that
point of view possesses an interest much beyond its ac-
tual and proved merits. In the management of his stock
Mr. Mechi has made some advances upon the practice of
former years. By a coating of limewash he has got rid
of the swarms of flies that used to torment his cattle,
and the same simple expedient tends to keep his feeding-
sheds cool and sweet. His tank regularly every morning
draws off the accumulation of the manure during the pre-
vious day, which are washed into it and liquefied. He
now keeps upon the produce of the 170 acres, of which
his farm consists, 360 sheep and 40 bullocks. He has also
about IGO pigs, which, however, are fattened off with
purchased food. His stock is not so large as perhaps it
might he ; the open hoards upon which the cattle stand
are set rather too far apart for their comfort; and there
are other criticisms to which this part of his manage-
ment is subject; but it must not be forgotten that he is
only in the second year of the new system of irrigation,
that his whole plans are altered by it, and that he as-
pires to he an experimenter as well as a practical farmer.
Without sonic things that are apparently wild and
extravagant, Tiptree would soon subside into the hum-
drum routine of ordinary cultivation, and its owner set-
tle down into a fat stolid man in gaiters, without any-
thing mercurial in his temper or venturesome in his ideas.
It would be almost a public loss were the place or its
owner to become entirely shaped to the true agricultu-
ral fashion. The spirit which draws such a character
from his shop in Leadenhall-street to improve the agri-
culture of his country is snore creditable to him than the
ambitions of many people whom society places far higher
up in her ranks. Mr. Mechi, if he never produces a
favourable balance-sheet, has dune great service to the
cause which he leas striven so vigorously to promote.
He has, in very difficult circumstances, and with unvary-
ing good humour, been a chief connecting link between
the practice and the theory of farming. Claiming,
and even insisting to he recognised as practical, he still
inclined his ear to the speculative,—some said the
visionary. When events had opened a chasm between
the two, he adventurously and good-humouredly
helped to span it, and now he is doing all in his power
by these annual gatherings to cement the union so
effected. The names of the people he invites to Tiptree
sufficiently indicate this motive, for there we found yes-
terday men eminent in a number of departments, kindred
more or less to the pursuits of agriculture, all brought
into friendly communication with many of the best agri-
culturists not only in this country but from France and
America. The Earl of Harrowby, Lord Kinnaird, and
Viscount Ebrington, fairly represented a liberal-minded
• landlord interest favourable to improvement. Viscounts
de Courzay, M. Barrel, the Hon. Stephen Salisbury,
M. Gourdier, M. Allier, and Professor Nash gave a
suitable idea of the interest with which foreign countries
are watching our progress both in the practice and the
science of agriculture. The mayors of Gloucester, Hali-
fax, Colchester, and Bridgenorth were present to lend a
municipal sanction to theurogress of enlightened opinion
in farming. Then Mr. Mechi had invited Mr. Chad-
wick, Dr. Southwood Fanith, and the
leading officers
of
the General Board of Health,
reonn, to show his anxiety for
the union of sanitary
increased fertility.
With the same object the chief members of several
local boards were also present. z: . Raymond Bar-
ker might be regarded on this occawsiitohn as the deputy
of the Royal Agricultural Society,
xliiiiarisies as those of
has so long been connected. Such' which his name
Mr. Samuel Gurney, Mr. Charles Mr. Bohn,
Captain W. Peel, RN., Mr. Wadein
pea somewhat out
nel Leslie, Captain Owen, R.A, Mrgmt-aI•P-, Colo-
mat out of
Mr. Fuller, and Mr. Bird, may appe
remembered
place on such an occasion • but when it is re
how widely-spread the taste for rural pursuitse
country, it cannot be considered inappropriate thlant Mr.
Mechi should have included them in his list of invite.r.
Lions. Besides, he took care to have present a numer
of our most enterprising farmers, breeders of stock, and
implement-makers. Among these we may mention the
names of Mr. Jonas Webb, Mr. Fisher Hobbs, and Mr.
Garrett. Last, but not least among the guests, Was
Professor Way, whose recent researches in agricultural
chemistry have attracted such great and deserved atten-
tion. When the survey of his farm was over, Mr.
Mechi invited the large party which he had assembled
around him to a substantial and well-provided luncheon
set out in his barn, where, after the claims of their appe-
tites, sharpened fresh by air and exercise, had been
appeased, toasts went round and speeches were made
chiming in well with the spirit of the gathering.

THE MUTUAL LIFE ASBIIRANCE SOCIETY.—The general
yesterday at
half-yearly meeting of this society washeld
the London Tavern, Mr. Valentine Knight in the chair.
The actuary, Mr. Brown, having read the usual account
of receipts and payments, the chairman, in the course of
his address, briefly stated the progress of the society.
The number of proposals for assurance during the last
half year amounted to 112 ; of that number, 80, assuring
the sum of 39,374 i., bad been accepted and completed ;
seven for assuring 3,199/, had been declined ; and the
remaining 25, for assuring 14,0501., had not been com-
pleted at the close of the half-year. During that period
the
to 957,254/. assurances
10s . •in force had in the number of creased from 931,028/. 10s.
policies had increased
from 1.492 to 1,549 ; the income of the so
increased
from 39,3161. 16s. 3d. to 40,524/. the
society
; Ind the in-
vested capital from 199,1551. to 212,000/. Ile announced
that the directors, having taken into consideration the
great reduction of the stamp duties, had resolved nt to
charge fur stamps on policies issued after the 6th of
July.
The retiring directors having been, with the retiring au-
ditor (Mr. Reeves), re-elected unanimously, thanks Were
voted to the chairman, directors, and actuary, and the
meeting fopantede

(From the Registrar-General's Report.)
It is satisfactory to notice a furtlier deciease in the
mortality of London. In the week that ended last Sa-
turday the deaths registered were 904 ; in the preceding
week they were 925 ; within the last six weeks the
weekly number has been reduced by a hundred. In the
ten weeks corresponding to last week of the years 1843-
52 the average number was 1,004, which, raised in pro-
portion to increase of population, becomes 1,104. Hence
it appears that the actual number of deaths- in last week
is less than the estimated amount by 200.
Fatal cases produced by zymotic or epidemic diseases,
and registered last week, are in the aggregate 225 ; the
average number in ten corresponding weeks, after cor-
rection for increase of population, is 337. This average,
however, is swelled by the cholera of 1849, and makes
the comparison more favourable for last week than is
founded on the results of ordinary years. One disease
in this class exhibits a considerable increase in the pre-
sent return, namely, diarrhoea, which amounts to 54.
Including dysentery, the numbers in the last three weeks
have been 34, 39, 54. Small-pox was fatal to two chil-
dren, measles to 26, scarlatina to 26 and 1 adult, hoop-
ing-cough to 37, croup 8, thrush 4, influenza 1, purpura
to 2 persons, typhus and other fever 51, erysipelas 7,
syphilis 3 ; and the following three cases of cholera were
registered in the week :
In the sub-district, St. Paul's, Deptford, at 7, Albert-
street, on 14th July, the son of a miller, aged 6 months,
died of " cholera infantum (22 hours)."
In Islington, at 11, Everilda-street, on 7th July, the
son of a bookkeeper, aged 7 months, " cholera (4 days),
secondary fever."
At 4, Sugar-loaf-court, Whitechapel, on 11th July,
the wife of an engineer, aged 42 years, died of "English
cholera (2 days)."
Six deaths occurred in the week in the tendon Fever
Hospital ; the following are the particulars of these :
On 10th July, a tailoress, from 37, Hart-street, Strand,
aged 37 years, "typhus (13 days) ; in hospital 9 days.
On 11th July, a female servant, from Cannon-street, St.
George-in-the-East, aged 19 years, " typhoid fever (43
days), plebitis (14 days) ;in hospital 38 days." On 12th
July, a needlewoman, from 37, Hart-street, Strand,
aged 33 years, "typhus (10 days) ; in hospital 6 days."
On 13th July, a charwoman, from York-street, Mary-
lebone, and 31 years, " typhus (duration unknown) ;
in hospital' 6 days." On 13th July, a sergeant in the'
City police, aged 36 years, "typhus (10 days) ; in hos-
pital 3 days." On 16th July, a child, aged 3 years,
from Muswell-hill, " scarlatina (duration unknown) ; in
hospital 30 days."
In Bermondsey, at 1, Printer's-place, on 11th July,
the son of a baker, aged one year, died of " rubeola,
livid (3 days), pneumonia (4 days)." The medical at-
tendant of this case adds on his certificate :—" This is
the second child of the same family within six weeks ;
there is always a most abominable stench in this house
arising from a drain."
In Hoxton Old Town, at 9, Avebury-street, on 12th
July, the son of an engineer, aged 5 years, died of
" diarrhcea." Mr. Pearce, the registrar, was told by
informant of the death that offensive smells had existed
in this house for some time past, caused by imperfect
drainage, but that the defect had been remedied.
The following additional cases are selected from the
returns :—At 19, Huntworth-mews, Dorset-square, on
13th July, a porter, 44 years, died of " traumatic teta-
nus from having run a splinter under the nail of
his middle finger while washing a cart on sth July
(4 days.)." On the 27th June, in a sewer, Holywell-
street, St. Clement Danes, an excavator, 36 years,
was " was accidentally suffocated by earth falling on
him." At 1, Cleveland-street, St. Pancras, on 11th July.
a painter, aged 56 years, died of " chronic inflam-
mation of the stomach and liver, and hypertrophy of the
heart (10 months) ; repeated attacks of colica pictonum
(several years)." In St. George's Hospital, on Bth July,
a carman, 26 years, "abscess in the cellular tissue of
great toe (3 weeks), pywinia (2 weeks), secondary depo-
sits. in lungs, kidneys, &c."—Post mort. In the Rol-
Win district, at 24, Mount-pleasant, on 13th July, the
son of a traveller, aged 5 years, "acute synovitis of the
left knee (3 days)." At 29, Warner-street, Kent-road,
on 13th July, the daughter of a coachmaker, aged 9
months, "diphtheritis (one month)." A girl of 5 years
died of eczema. Three males and three females of psoas
abscess. Two men of cirrhosis. One death is attri-
buted to intemperance, besides another in which suicide
was committed in a state of mind produced by the same
habit.

Last week the births of 716 boys and 651 girls, in all
1,367 children, were registered in London. In the eight
corresponding weeks of the years 1845-52, the average
number was 1,289.

At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height
of the barometer in the week was 29.598 in. The read-
ing of the barometer increased from 29.81 in. at the be-
ginning of the week to 29'90 in. by 9h. a.m. on the
12th ; decreased to 29'16 in. by noon on the 14th ; and
increased to 29'49 in. by the end of the week. The
mean temperature of the week was 2.7 deg., which was
3'3 deg, lower than the average of the same week in 33
years. The mean daily, temperature was below the ave-
rage on every day of the week except Monday and Tues-
day; it was more than 6 deg. below the average on the
last three days. The highest temperature occurred on
Tuesday, and was 75.3 deg.; the lowest on Monday, and
was 50'4 deg. The greatest difference between the dew
point temperature and air temperature was 161 deg.,
and occurred on Tuesday ; the least, 2'3 deg., on Wed-
nesday ; the mean difference in the week was 8•6 deg.
The wind blew from the south-west. The week has been
remarkable for rain ; the quantity measured in inches
that fell on Wednesday was 10, on Thursday 2'63, on
Friday '2B, on Saturday 'l3; the total amount of the
week 3'14.

MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS.
NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED
IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, JULY 16.
Zymotic Diseases
Diseases of Uncertain Seat
Tubercular Diseases
Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses 9l
Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 3l
Diseases of the Lungs and other Organs of
Respiration
87
Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs
of Digestion
58
Diseases of the Kidneys, &c.
Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus &e.......... 5
Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and :Muscles ......
Diseases of the Skin, &c.
Malformations
Premature Birth and Debility
Atrophy
Old Age

-- 31
• • 33

Sudden 35
. 4 Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance -.... 22
Causes not specified
..... 7

DEATHS FEO3I ALL CAUSES

Population Deaths in corro- Deaths
Enumerated. spending week in the
1851. of 1852. Week,
West Districts
North Districts ...... 490,396
Central Districts 393,256
...... 156
East Districts 485,522
South Districts 616,635
. ---- - --
Totals

Males
Females..

457
447

Males
Females..

Total .

ASSIZE INTELL