The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-08
A GREAT BsoIrsH farm
Alderman Meahi and HE successfui and
Prai.eworthy Experiments.

KELvEDos Aug. 1:--Tiptree. Hall, tho
bono Of j. Mechi is situated d i9pr miles
np fF Ss H9s expect to 1d P03
land but a shade better than this by nature. he
prs farms IN me most H s 6 S1S
ana vigorous old man. and M enthusiastic as
eyer IN improved and in improving agriculture.
II Is no superficial work that he docs or aims nt
but he commences at tho root-education. His
workmen could Mother road nor write so the
first thing was school house: but knowledge
Is worth but little without morality. so the neN
was church.. 1ho effect OF this early work
could 500 in the honest and intelligent look of
his laborers
means quite different thing here from what Il
does in America. Most of this farm il 40 in
tonscly clayey that 1t will not make good brick
or tile and is by nature like a mortar bod in
wet weather, and like rock in dry Again. he
the land Of sagnant water by blind drums laid
filled M. and three miles Of inside hedge fences
removed. These improvements not only gave
several additional ncrcs 81 land. hut trans
formed smq! irregular fields into large square
which he most fully believes in and puts into
practice. The barns next received his httcn-
ton Covered yards were built adapted 10 soil
ing. and for years no cutie have run at largo
either in summer or winter, while the sheep
are always folded in the fields, the fence used
being an iron one on wheels, viii IA is not only
light and durable, but easily handled.
They were Just sending thor last consgn-
mcnt of green peas 10 the London market Tho
ground ON which they grew will be ploughcd
Immediately and sOwed To turnips. Half 81 the
crop will be removed. and the other half fed TO
sheep on tho ground, with the addition of some
oil cake and ma ze. This. he claims. will leave
the ground rs fertile as whom tho peas were
planted AS dry and hard IA the sand IL now
Il Will take more labor ~ fit II for turnips than
they would be worth in the United States. But
here II IL very different and an Englshmun
never waits Tor rain. but ploughs. cost what it
may.
The immense clods have soon turned up In
the clay within the last few DAYS would appa
any one not used to them. Experiments in
various courses Of rotation. depth and time Of
ploughing. have been conducted by Mr.. Mechi
that. rs rule, he would recommend n four-year
rotation, deep ploughing by steam during the
dry weather 81 the summer months thus thor
destroying tho "twitch grass that gives so
much trouble in many, puts Of England
Whether the large crops Of wheat and barley |
saw growing were attributable TO these causes
or TO the liberal application OF farm manurcs,
made by fatteninG animals in covered yards. or
that success has crowned his efforts. and the
proof OF i was before me IN the large fields Of
which would not fall short Of 80 bushels 10 the
acre Of the former. and 60 Of the latter. =,
ton Of his cattle sheds whereby the manure
no bedding being used-drops directly into the
manure cellar. did not strike me fayorably. and
they would certainly not do for milk dairy or
for animals in cold climate. The stencil and
dampness are certainly both very Objectionable.
T. say nothing of the dis comfort 10 the animals
from not having bedding. The manure that
passes through tho spared floor is diluted. md
then forced by steam power through pipes in
some casos to the distance Of half mile whore
II is usually distributed over land that is de-
voted ~ the production Of Italian rye grass
Setarin ltalica-haying learned by experience
that it takes kindly TO this liquid manure even
on clay land. while most Ot the other grasses
and clover do not Though all might not agree
| a. u the minor methods which he advocates
and practises, yet Il is certain that. rs whole.
his system has resulted in not only remunera-
tive haryests. but they have. in connection with
HIS writings boon the mems Of lettering the
condition of employed and employer. and they
have also. BY setting forth u moro excellent way.
done much O. improve agriculture.
We cannot help but honor and admire this
veteran farmer when We hear him, in his terse
and forclhlc Language, advo. ate deep plough
ing. covered harnyards. sollng. uprooting II
ol-tructing useless hedges and trccs. lnrge
fields well underdraincd iron fences where
any are needed steam befor" horses. and horse
before man power. repeal OF laws that hamper
and obstruct agriculture. transfer Of lands 81
leases. intelligent laborers and. last but moi
| lpnat froa lentian a NIL