Report on the Farm-Prize Competition, 1878. 
17 
Sheep. — The flock in January consisted of 117 breeding-ewes 
and 3 rams; and in May, 127 ewes and 111 lambs. The 
ewes are West Country Downs ; Mr. Steeds' plan is to buy 
in ewes every year, tup them with Cotswold rams, selling the 
ewes and lambs fat. At the date of our May visit, 53 lambs 
had been sold and several others were ready for the butcher ; 
the ewes were also in a forward state, and would be sold fat 
during the summer, to make way "for a fresh lot. 
Swine. — Seven breeding-sows are kept on the farm. The pigs 
are fatted in the usual manner practised among cheese-making 
farmers, viz., with whey and meal. In Mr. Steeds' case a very 
large quantity of pork is sold annually, helping much to swell 
his large gross returns. 
Horses. — The work of the farm is performed by 3 horses ; 
there are also 2 nags kept. The farm-horses are an exceedingly 
useful lot, 2 of them good brood-mares. 
The arable land is managed on a four-course system, and is 
very well done, being free from weeds and in a very high state- 
of cultivation. The course is, (1) roots, (2) wheat, (3) barley, 
and (4) seeds. 
With such high farming as we saw here, this deviation from 
the ordinary four-course system seemed to us absolutely necessary 
to secure a plant of seeds under the growing crops of corn. 
The accounts are fairly kept ; in fact, better so than in most 
of the cases that came under our observation. Taylor's ' Farmer's 
Account-book ' is used, and a profit and loss account shown 
therein every year. Everything under Mr. Steeds' management 
shows unmistakable proofs of the interest he takes in his busi- 
ness ; and although his buildings, his gates, and fences weie 
models of neatness and good order, and his land remarkably 
clean, nevertheless it was evident that the main chance was 
always kept carefully in sight. The farm is also very well and 
fully stocked, and the annual returns in the shape of dairy and 
other produce the largest per acre of any that came under our 
notice. Keeping our instructions in view, we were all of opinion 
that this farm was entitled to first honours, and we had conse- 
quently very great pleasure in awarding Mr. Steeds the First 
Prize in Class 3. 
Class 3. — Second Prize. 
Tunley Farm, near Bath, in the County of Somerset. — This 
farm is the property of Miss Jarrett, of Camerton Court, and is 
occupied by Mr. George Gibbons, under an unexpired term of 
lease. It contains 100 acres of arable and 284 acres of pasture 
land ; total, 384 acres. 
VOL. XV. — s. 8. C 
