514 
. Cow-Keeping by Farm Lahourers. 
in Cheshire, Lord Tollemache, of Helmingham, holds similar 
views, and has given much personal attention, during many 
years past, to the practical development of a system which I 
shall describe in another part of this article. 
The Hon. Wilbraham Egerton, ]M.P., Rosthern Manor, 
Knutsford, describes some cow-keeping in the village of Knuts- 
ford, where a field has been set apart for the special purpose of 
the milk-supply, and for the encouragement of small occupiers. 
Mr. Egerton's replies relate particularly to the milk question, 
but I must quote a paragraph from his letter " On the moral 
and material advantages of farm labourers keeping cows." 
Mr. Egerton observes : — 
" While it would not be advisable or perhaps possible that all labourers 
.should have a cow, it is desirable to enable the married labourer who is 
thrifty and of good character to bring up a family of children comfortably, 
11 nd for that purpose to have a small garden and a cow. It is both a reward 
of good behaviour and a stimulus to exert himself for his own benefit and 
that of his master. It indisposes him to leave his place, and may lead to his 
saving money, and perhaps to his taking a small farm. The great difBculty 
is about manure : he ought to keep a pig, but he probably has no other 
manure to put on the ground. I am inclined to think that if possible the 
landlord should sujjply the manure. 
" When a cow dies, the usual result is that a subscription list is sent round 
to enaljle the labourer to replace it." 
I propose to quote next the opinion of a gentleman of wide 
experience, who resides in an adjoining county. Mr. Henry 
Burd, Hatton House, Shrewsbury, agent for the estates of 
Sir Baldwyn Leighton, Bart., M.P., Mr. J. D. Allcroft, 
M.P., and others, holds very decided opinions in reference to 
my subject. The following are Mr. Burd's answers to my 
queries : — 
" A regular supply of good milk is not readily obtainable, and it is desirable 
that a farm labourer be in a position to keep a cow. The quantity of pasture- 
land allotted to him for that purpose is about 3 acres of good land or 4 acres 
of land that is not very productive, about one-third being mown annually. 
The cottager purchases very little beyond a few turnips or mangolds ami 
straw, and these are often obtained in exchange for hay. As a rule he^spends 
nothing on manure for the pastures, that from the cow and pigs in a well- 
managed place sufBces. He obtains litter by exchange of hay for straw, or 
by purchase of fem. He generally consumes all the produce of the dairy 
except for a small part of the summer. The quality of the butter is generally 
inferior to that of the larger dairies." 
Mr. Burd adds : — 
"The chief material advantage to the farm labourer is derived from having 
a supply of milk and butter for his family, and the profit arising from the sale 
of any produce not so consumed. 
" The chief moral advantage appears to be occupation of a profitable and 
pleasant character during the leisure hours of himself and family. The 
