Farms and Cottaores in Cheshire 



359 



farm, a very strong soil, in round butts, 

 drained, might be improved by a course of 

 tillage for hay growing, if laid down suitable 

 for harvest machinery. Mr Barker spends 

 annually about ;^ioo in bones, artificial 

 manures, and general improvements, of which 

 he finds something annually to do ; has 

 drained the clayey portions of his farm, which 

 consists of 85 acres, eradicated many old 

 fences, and planted new where required. 

 These, with remainder of fences cleaned from 

 annual weeds and in good order. Has made 

 many other improvements in garden and 

 homestead. Mr B. has given a nice finish 

 to a ' well cultivated farm' by having a home- 

 stead kept in the most orderly manner, well 

 painted, whitewashed, and cleanliness in 

 every place. The dairy department has 

 every attention by the evidence of a first-class 

 dairy of cheese. The whole farm is under 

 very superior management, and deserving the 

 prize. — Inspected August 22, 1872." 



COTTAGES AND GARDENS. 



Premium 8. To Thomas Buckley, More- 

 ton-cum-Alcumlow, being an agricultural 

 labourer, for having his cottage and garden 

 in the neatest and best order. 



" This is one of a pair of what may be 

 termed Model Cottages, the property of 

 Randle Wilbraham, Esq. It is very com- 

 modious and lofty, having a large house place, 

 parlour or sleeping-room, two bedrooms, 

 scullery or back kitchen, coalhouse, and 

 other out-ofiices very convenient. It is well 

 furnished, and very orderly. The garden, of 

 about 15 roods, is in a high state of cultiva- 

 tion. All the self crops of potatoes, beans, 

 peas, scarlet-runners, onions, carrots, and 

 parsnips are the most vigorous and proHfic 

 we have seen. The second crops of cabbages, 

 turnips, cauliflowers, and celery are well filled 

 up and growing well. In this garden every- 

 thing seems to be grown that is most useful 

 for a cottager's family. It is remarkably 

 clean and neat with the exception of one 

 fence. There are very few fruit trees, except 

 currants, and these growing where the flowers 

 (of which there are a choice collection) ought 

 to be. The walks are well laid out, with box 



for borders. A good pig in the stye. — ■ 

 Inspected August 23, 1872." 



To William Rogerson, Rushton, being an 

 agricultural labourer, for having his cottage 

 and garden in the second neatest and best 

 order. 



"This is a good old-fashioned, roomy 

 cottage, in excellent repair, with two sleeping 

 rooms and out-offices more than what is 

 usually supplied to cottages, but rather too 

 near the dwelling. It is well whitewashed, 

 and kept in clean and neat order. The 

 garden is large with irregular fence, but kept 

 clean and free from weeds. The greatest 

 portion has borne a first crop of early potatoes, 

 and is now re-planted with a useful variety 

 of second crops, chiefly ox cabbages. Every 

 inch of ground is made available. There are 

 a great number of fruit trees, well pruned. 

 The garden throughout is well cultivated. — 

 Inspected August 22, 1872." 



To Thos. Walker, Rushton, being an agri- 

 cultural labourer, for having his cottage and 

 garden in the third neatest and best order. 



" This is a small, comfortable cottage, with 

 two bedrooms and suitable out-oflSces, kept 

 in good order. The garden is small, only 

 about 6 roods, and this divided by a public 

 highway. The tenant labours under great 

 disadvantages, as it is also much sheltered 

 by large trees. Still it is well cultivated, and 

 the second crops doing well under the cir- 

 cumstances. Walker has a great variety of 

 vegetables and flowers. — Inspected August 

 22, 1872." 



Premium 9. — To Samuel Johnson, Little 

 Budworth, not being an agricultural labourer, 

 for having his cottage and garden in the best 

 order. 



" This is one of a pair of very excellent 

 cottages, the property of Sir Philip de Malpas 

 Grey Egerton, Bart., M.P. It has a large 

 house place, back kitchen, parlour, two bed- 

 rooms, with out-oftices very good and con- 

 venient, including two pigstyes, both tenanted. 

 The garden of about 10 roods, is of a very 

 dry, sandy soil, and well suited to the present 

 season. Flowers are cultivated to a great 

 extent, but not to the neglect of useful 

 vegetables. A nice ribbon border of showy 



