16 Report on the Farm-Prize Competition, 1878. 
for the most part protected by stone walls on one or both sides. 
These walls are well constructed, make a capital fence, afford 
good shelter for the stock, and are maintained in excellent order. 
The bulk of the water-supply for the stock in the buildings, 
and also in the fields, has to be pumped by hand-power, which is 
an inconvenient and expensive mode of furnishing the large 
quantity required on a farm carrying so many cattle as this does. 
For want of sufficient yard and shed accommodation, many of 
the cattle have to lay out in the fields during the whole of the 
winter. They are of course fed with artificial food, and although 
the fences above alluded to are a great protection to them, they 
must nevertheless suffer much for want of proper shedding and 
from lying on the damp ground. There must also be a waste of 
food. When we were on the farm in January it was during a 
severe hail- and snow-storm, and the poor animals, although 
well cared for in the matter of food, were certainly not looking 
their best. Notwithstanding these disadvantages, the tenant had 
evidently made up his mind to make the most of the good quali- 
ties of the farm, and has certainly succeeded in doing so, the 
condition of his cattle, and the good order and cleanliness of his 
belongings testifying-'most fully to this fact. 
There are three cottages on this farm. 
The labour costs about 30s. per acre, the men being paid at 
the rate of 14s. per week ; they have also allowed them 20 perches 
of potato-land, cultivated ready to receive the seed, and also one 
quart of cider per day. 
All the fodder grown on the farm is consumed thereon, and in 
addition a sum equal to the rent of the farm is laid out in pur- 
chasing food for the stoj^. 
The returns in the shape of animal food and dairy produce are 
immense, doing the utmost credit to Mr. Steeds' management. 
Cattle. — At our first visit in January we saw on the farm 
46 cows in-calf, 3 barren cows, 11 two-year-old heifers in-calf, 
13 yearling heifers, and 2 bulls. At our second visit in May, 
61 cows in-milk, 13 yearling heifers, 2 bulls, and 13 weaning- 
calves. 
The cattle are useful, rent-paying dairy stock, well cared for, 
and consequently kept in nice condition. 
As cheese is the object sought after, the cows are calved early 
in the spring, the calves being sold under a week old, with the 
exception of about a dozen of the most promising females, 
which are weaned and go into the dairy when a little over 
two years old. 
Mrs. Steeds manages the dairy very well, and a detailed account 
of the mode of management on this and the other farms will be 
seen in my colleague's Report (pp. 37-42). 
