366 Saddle and Sirloin. 



way, and sloops with " their top-gallants set, and their 

 streamers unfurled," come dropping down with their 

 heavy cargoes of coal and rock-salt from the gloomy 

 treasure-houses of Runcorn and Warrington. The 

 farm is almost on a dead level, and laid out in seven 

 fields of nearly thirty acres each. It was originally a 

 rabbit warren, and was eventually purchased by Mr. 

 Richard Watt, the owner of Blacklock and Altisidora. 

 "Time works wonders," and in 1857 three societies 

 awarded Mr. Atherton a prize for the best cultivated 

 farm. His great shorthorn sale was in the July of 

 1862. Three Grand Dukes made 75O/. 15^., the 7th, 

 by the 3rd from Grand Duchess 4th, going at 320 

 guineas to Captain Oliver, and the 3rd at 195 guineas 

 to his neighbour Mr. Robarts. Six Cherry Duchesses 

 made 696^ 3^., and of these Cherry Duchess 7th (205 

 guineas) went to Lord Penrhyn.* 



Mr. Atherton's farm was tenanted for twenty years 

 by his father (who is now at Mount Pleasant, a larger 

 farm close by), and comprises about two hundred 

 acres. Potatoes, wheat, and barley form the crop 

 rotation, and the facilities for getting manure afford 

 every inducement to farm high. There is a great 

 market for hay and straw, and it is Mr. Atherton's 

 general practice to sell the first crop of hay, and use 

 the second for his stock. Speke farming has always 



* Mr. Atherton has both bred largely and had several shorthorns of 

 much value through his hands. The brothers Robert and Thomas 

 Bell, who had left Kirklevington after the great sale, came to reside in 

 his neighbourhood, and gave him the first start with pure blood. A lot 

 of heifers, with Marquis of Speke (13,307), and then Cherry Duke 2nd 

 (which he got from Mr. Bolden) to serve them, brought the herd to 50 

 strong, and these were sold in March '58 for nearly 337. a piece. 

 Cherry Duke 2nd headed the bulls, and was bought by Mr. George 

 Shepherd's son, a mere boy, for 205 guineas ; he did good service at 

 Shethin, and went thence to Rossie Priory, Inchture. Mr. Atherton's 

 second start was with Gwynnes from Mr. Caddy, and Wild Eyes from 

 Messrs. Barthropp and Crisp ; these were augmented by the Springfield 

 Duchess, Cherry, and Finella purchases. Czarovitz (17,654) was 

 bought from Knowlmere Manor. Moss Rose (which he successfully 



