13 



The Farm at that time was in a foul and poor condition. The 

 ultimate objects for improving the land were fourfold, viz : — (1) To 

 relieve the labom- market in Wilton parish ; (2) to adjust in a more con- 

 venient and economical way the horse power engaged in the Park and 

 Demesne grounds ; (3) with a view of showing the capability of the 

 farm for increased productiveness ; and (4) to save the tenant further 

 loss through game. 



The crops (irrespective of the Hookland) previous to 1846 were 

 estimated to have produced 18 or 20 bus. of wheat, 28 bus. of barley, and 

 from 32 to 36 bus. of oats per acre. The averages from 1850 to 1870 

 were, however: — Wheat, 32 i bus. per acre; barley, 46 bus.; oats or 

 dredge, 57|- bus. ; beans or pulse, 37^ bus. 



The former estimates were confirmed by two professional valuers, 

 the late Mr. Thomas Waters, of Stratford-sub-Castle, near Salisbury, 

 and the late Mr. John Combes, of Tisbury, Wilts, both of whom knew 

 the farm all their life-time. The rent of the farm was fixed by Mr. 

 Robson, the agent of the Pembroke estates in England, at £300 per 

 annum on the produce principle, which was adopted in letting farms on 

 that estate, subject, nevertheless, to an allowance for manure j)urchased ; 

 the hay, with the greater part of the straw, roots, and green crops 

 grown being consumed on the farm. The operation of the scheme is 

 shown in the Appendix. The rent was greatly in excess of the amount 

 paid by the former' tenant to the Earl of Pembroke. Mr. Robson 

 directed the management of the farm, the details of which were ably 

 carried out by the bailiff, Mr. Thomas Williams. The farm as formerly 

 managed was scarcely equal to the maintenance of 150 ewes with tne 

 usual number of chilver or ewe lambs necessary to maintain such an ew)^ 

 flock, the numbers kept between 1850 and 1870 being 312 ewes on the "%,, 

 average of years, and this average was to be the number kept for stocking x^. 

 the farm during the following seven years at least. The remainder of 

 the lambs, and the cull or sale ewes to be drafted off annually, according 

 to the custom of the neighbourhood. This custom was not adopted 

 during the twenty-three years of average on the farm in question, 

 owing to the hilly nature of the ground, and the consequent wear and 

 tear in drafting off the sheep flock from fold to fold. However, on the 

 other farms of the estate it was considered the best form of management 

 for the sheep flock. An additional plot or two of pasture-land would 

 have improved the farm by providing a nursery for the sheep in adverse 

 seasons, and also in assisting in bringing earlier to maturity the draught 

 stock. 



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