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and pears by the ton; and all other fruits in like proportion, 
showing the extensive scale of the demands to be supplied. 
Much admiration was expressed at the high state of order and 
good keeping in which the gardens were seen; and also at the 
pretty creeper-clad houses and lodges, all in the Elizabethan 
style, provided for those employed in the Royal Gardens—Mr 
Thomas’s own house, wreathed in roses, clematis, and other beauti- 
ful climbers, being specially admired. 
THE SHAW Farm. 
At a short distance from the Royal Gardens is situated 
the Prince Consort’s Shaw Farm, which is the Royal ‘‘ Home 
Farm” par excellence, and where there was seen a perfectly 
arranged and most handsome set of farm buildings, complete 
with every modern contrivance that skill and ingenuity 
can suggest. The most improved types of machinery, and 
all other economical appliances of the best description are 
employed in the working and management of the farm, the 
chief object here being the breeding and rearing of stock for the 
production of the finest quality of meat, and of dairy produce. 
Nor are the people who are employed on the Royal farms by any 
means overlooked. Neat and commodious residences are amply 
provided for all, bearing a look of comfort and pleasant home life. 
The Prince Consort was one of those rare many-sided men, with 
clear heads, who could take a thoroughly practical interest in many 
diversified branches of business, of science, and of art. In addition to 
his other accomplishments, the Prince was a noted agriculturist, and 
the Shaw and Flemish Farms at Windsor are practical monuments 
to his enlightened knowledge and enterprise as a British farmer, 
The Shaw Farm—called by the way after a former owner, a 
Frenchman named Shawe, from whom it was purchased about two 
hundred years ago—is some 720 acres in extent, exclusive of the 
Home Park of about 500 acres, which is also under the same 
management. The Flemish Farm extends to about 400 acres, 
lying on higher ground fully 2 miles off on the western edge of 
the Great Park. Her Majesty’s Commissioners of Woods and 
Forests are the landlords of the Royal farms, for which the 
Queen, as a tenant-farmer, pays rent to the Commissioners. The 
Prince first became tenant of the Shaw Farm in 1849, and 
immediately began those improvements of the land which 
