Report on the Farm-Prize Competition 0/1874. 587 



We saw a very good and simple shade for the field rams in use 

 at Biddenham, consisting- of a skeleton frame, covered with old 

 superphosphate bags sewn together, each frame being about 10 

 feet long. These shades can easily be moved by a man and 

 boy, and, by using them, the evil resulting from the sheep lying 

 too long in one place is avoided. 



Horses. — Mr. Howard works, in all, 20 horses, — 10 Suffolks 

 at Biddenham, and 10 of a heavier class at Bromham ; both 

 classes being well adapted to the respective farms. We thought 

 them as a whole extremely good, and were glad to hear that he 

 was successful with a pair of them at the late Bedford show. 



Pigs. — Mr. Howard keeps a stock of Berkshire sows, which 

 he crosses with boars of the middle breed, belonging to his 

 brothers, the Messrs. J. *Sc F. Howard, which we thought a 

 good lot. 



Labour. — Considering the great neatness and cleanliness of 

 Mr. Howard's farm, together with the well-kept roads, his 

 yearly labour account is not large, the average amount paid for 

 the last four years being 1273/. 16^. 6t?. 



The cake and corn account on this farm is of course a serious 

 item, in consequence of the number of rams kept ; and, in giving 

 the average of the last four years, it must be borne in mind that 

 the year in which Mr. Howard sold off his shorthorns is included. 



The average value of cake and corn consumed for the last four 

 years is 1720Z. 18^. 



The amount of artificial manure used is not large, the average 

 for four years being 81Z. 17^. 



In conclusion, we cannot speak too highly of Mr. Howard's 

 system of book-keeping, which is at once elaborate and simple. 

 From the time he began the business, every transaction, however 

 small, has been carefully noted down : we were thus enabled to 

 obtain much useful and interesting information with the greatest 

 possible facility, and were pleased we were enabled to award 

 Mr. Howard the Society's Gold Medal. 



Highly Commended Faems. 



Mr. Lilley's Farm (Knotting Green) is situated nine miles 

 from Bedford, and about two miles from Sharnbrook Station on 

 the Midland main line, and is the property of the Duke of 

 Bedford. The house and home buildings have been recently 

 erected, and are very substantial and good ; in addition to 

 the latter, at a distant part of the farm, there are two yards 

 for the accommodation of cattle, with stackyard adjoining. 



The farm contains 238 acres of arable and 197 acres of grass 

 land ; the soil is for the most part a strong clay, some portions 



