The second annual report of the Committee of Visitors, of the County Lunatic Asylum, at Colney Hatch : January quarter session, 1853 / [Middlesex County Lunatic Asylum].

London (England). County Lunatic Asylum, Colney Hatch.

Date:: 1853

Credit: The second annual report of the Committee of Visitors, of the County Lunatic Asylum, at Colney Hatch : January quarter session, 1853 / [Middlesex County Lunatic Asylum]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$South and East, and the Comity property on the North and West, (as shewn on the map annexed), be purchased of the trustees of the late Mr. Cline for £2,000. They consider the acquisition of this land exceedingly desirable ; the Estate will then consist of nearly 140 acres, which, after deducting the space covered with Buildings and x\iring Courts, will leave nearly 10 acres of available land for every 100 Patients, as recommended by the Commissioners in Lunacy. The field now recommended to he purchased is also an important ac¬ quisition, as it will obviate complaints occasioned by the unavoidable diversion of a footpath rendered absolutely ne¬ cessary for the peace and safety of the Patients, will render compensation unnecessary, and prevent legal proceedings and claims for compensation. Should the Court sanction this purchase, it will be for the new Committee to consider the propriety of fencing the South-West portion of the Estate, which at present offers too many favorable openings for the escape of Patients. However attentive and vigilant the attendants may be, a Patient, intent upon leaving the Asylum, will find an opportunity for eluding them, when occupied in superintending, possibly, 50 or 60 agricultural abourers. The Fruit and Ornamental Trees, planted during the last season, have grown satisfactorily. The produce of the Garden and Land have been greater than could have been expected, considering the limited time during which they have been under cultivation. It has hitherto been confined to potatoes, man¬ gel wurzel, turnips and cabbages, of which the crops have been as abundant as could be expected, considering the nature of the soil. The potatoes are small, but the quality, for so unfavourable a season, unusually good ; the establish¬ ment, consisting of nearly 1,400 persons, has been supplied with vegetables during the year; the best proof of the bene-$