780 
Report of the Judges of Farm Plans, 
other cause. Not unfrequently there exists a deficient number 
of feeding stock which, with a desire on the part of the tenant 
to get rid of the straw he is obliged to consume rather than 
turn it to the most profitable account, explains the cause of the 
inferior condition of the manure. It is found, in fact, that if 
only enough straw is used as litter as will make the best manure, 
while keeping the stock in the yard comfortable, half the straw 
usually consumed as litter will suffice, and that then the manure, 
instead of being inferior, is of the very best description. It is 
needless to point out that the advantages to be gained by the 
use of covered yards depend very greatly upon the mode in 
which they are divided, and the arrangements which are made 
for feeding the stock they are intended to hold. 
The plans of " Experience with Economy " (Mr. James Martin, 
Wainfleet, Lincolnshire), which show a homestead arranged in 
the form of a long parallelogram, with shelter-sheds dividing the 
yards (which are all open) one from the other, present several 
excellent features, although the buildings do not appear to us to 
be laid out on the best principles for the saving of labour ; and 
the time is evidently approaching when the wholesale con- 
sumption of straw as litter, involved in such an arrangement as 
is here indicated, will be considered wasteful. It has, however, 
the same advantage which was claimed for Messrs. Cadle's 
design, that the yards can be readily covered should occasion 
arise. We refer particularly to Mr. Martin's design in contrast 
to covered yards, because we believe that this form of homestead 
has been adopted on the Duke of Bedford's estate at Thorney, in 
the county of Cambridge, and is much approved by the tenants. 
A very ingenious design was sent in under the motto "A 1," 
which contained some very valuable features, although on the 
whole it was too imperfect for commendation. 
In the majority of the designs presented in competition, the 
saving of labour in the mixing and preparation of food, its con- 
veyance to stock in the several parts of the homestead, and the 
removal of the manure from the stalls, boxes, and yards, was well 
considered, though in only a very few instances was this im- 
portant object as fully attained as it might be. In the several 
designs of Mr. Waite, Mr. Watson, and Mr. Clarke, there are 
excellent features aiming at this object ; and in that of Messrs. 
Moscrop great practical knowledge of the subject is shown, 
though the high buildings appear to us to be much more costly 
than necessary. 
It will be observed that in three of the plans tramways are 
intended to be laid down within the building for the carriage of 
food, and in one instance for the removal of manure, while in 
the design of Mr. Waite rails are proposed to be used for the 
