Report on the Farm-Prize Competition, 1878. 19 
in their appearance ample evidence of the good results due to 
the use of pure Shorthorn bulls. Those at present in use are 
well-shaped animals of good quality, bred by Mr. Hugh Aylmer, 
of West Dereham, Norfolk. 
Mr. Gibbons farms for cheese and pork, and evidently does 
so successfully. The dairy is well managed by Mrs. Gibbons ; 
the mode of cheesemaking and other details of management is 
described in Mr. Jackson's Report. 
The arable land is managed on the four-course system, viz., 
(1) roots, (2) barley, (3) seeds, (4) wheat. We found the land and 
also the pasture in a very fair state of cultivation, one large 
field of wheat being exceedingly good, and the crops of seeds 
and grass-hay very heavy. There was also a good plant of 
mangolds, and these were in a clean state and looked promising. 
Peat's ' Farmer's Dairy and Account-book ' is used, but we can 
hardly compliment Mr. Gibbons on the manner in which the 
accounts were kept. The house and buildings are supplied 
with water by a hydraulic ram raising water to a tank holding 
about 6000 gallons. The tank is at an elevation of about 200 
feet above the ram, which is capable of lifting between 3000 
and 4000 gallons of water daily. The reservoir, from which the 
water is taken to work the ram, is built in masonry and sup- 
plied by a strong natural spring, the surplus water being used 
for irrigating a meadow nearly adjoining the same. 
At our third visit to this farm we found that Mr. Gibbons 
had secured the produce of 103^ acres of meadow land, and 
16^ acres of seeds in capital condition. The crop was large, and 
the work had been very well done with the aid of Harrison 
and McGregor's mower, Boby's haymaking - machine, and 
Nicholson's horse-rake. The crops on the arable land were 
looking well ; they consisted of 31 acres of wheat, promising 
to be a great crop ; 5 acres of barley, also good ; and 22^ acres 
of roots, a good plant, and the land clean and well done. 
Acting according to our instructions, we had, after our third 
survey, no hesitation in awarding the Second Prize in Class 3 
to Mr. Gibbons. 
Class 3:^Extra. Pkize Farm. 
Brook Farm, Hankerton. — This farm is situated about 4 miles 
north-east of Malmesbury, in the county of Wilts, and is the 
property of the Earl of Suffolk. According to the certificate of 
entry, it contains — 
80 0 0 Arable land. 
192 0 0 Pasture land. 
Total 272 0 0 
