Eeport on t/ic Farm Frize Competition. 24^ 



Mr. Walgate's stock consists of 150 ewes and their lambs, the 

 latter being all led on the farm and sold at about 12 months 

 old ; in some seasons a lot of hoggs are bought in the spring, 

 and are also fed off during the summer ; but this depends 

 entirely on the sort of crop and the prospect for seeds. 



On the 10th of July the number of sheep were 101 ewes- 

 with 147 lambs following them, and 99 hoggs ready for the 

 butcher. Mr. Walgate explained why his number of ewes was- 

 reduced — from some cause, for which he could not account, 

 nearly 50 of his ewes proved not in lamb, and hence, being fat, 

 were sold. 



We do not think it necessary to enter into details as to the 

 management of the ewes, as there does not seem to be any 

 remarkable feature in it beyond that they are undoubtedly well 

 kept and cared for. 



The lambs are weaned about the end of July, and for a few 

 weeks are put on to a grass-field (which has purposely been un- 

 stocked for some time), and given about ^ lb. of cake per day, 

 which they readily eat, having been taught while with their 

 mothers ; the quantity of cake is gradually increased, and they 

 are put on turnips about the middle of October, and generally 

 kept on the turnip-break until there is sufficient grass in the 

 spring. A little corn is also given, which makes the quantity 

 up to about 1 lb. per day. These sheep are all clipped in April, 

 and generally sold, weighing from 20 to 25 lbs. a quarter. This 

 year they realised 70.^. per head, without their wool. 



Fir/s. — From 20 to oO are bred evei'y vear, of the medium- 

 sized white breed ; about one-half of these are sold fat, the 

 others as gilts. There is no speciality in Mr. Walgate's pigs, 

 though they seem to be of the right sort for farmyard pigs. 



They are fed principally on Indian meal, with the addition 

 of a little barley or peas. 



Fallow and Roots. — In all comprising about 75 acres; namely, 

 60 acres of roots and 15 acres of fallow. The whole of this land 

 is manured at the rate of about 20 tons of good dung to the 

 acre, with the addition of a mixture of superphosphate and guano, 

 to the extent of from 5 to 6 cwts. with the roots. Mr. Walgate 

 does not as a rule grow mangold, and never more than a few 

 acres. He finds he can get a more profitable return from swedes,, 

 of which he grows about two-thirds ; making up with two or 

 three kinds of soft turnips. 



The roots, as a whole, though rather late, were nearly a full 

 plant and promised well. 



Mr. Walgate has partially patronised steam-cultivation, having 

 had his land for roots dug in the autumn and cultivated this 

 spring. We feel certain that steam will come into more general 



