Prize Competition, 1885. 
157 
farm, amid weather which revealed the magnificent landscape 
from its upper fields, were a great enjoyment, and it has been a 
pleasure to look over the notes taken then and the correspond- 
ence with the tenant since — a pleasure which we should be glad 
if the reader could share. The farm itself did not seem on any 
of these occasions to be in any very special show condition — 
fences, gates, and fields in merely satisfactory trim. The potato 
land and turnip land, both in the preparatory stage and after- 
wards, were evidently being well worked, and promised latterly 
very satisfactory produce. The grass fields were full of keep : 
and the land more recently laid down looked like providing 
ultimately a satisfactory permanent pasture. The oats on the 
upland fields were as good on our July visit as the compara- 
tively poor and well-washed soil could be expected to produce. 
The wheat-fields promised a fair crop, and the grass-lands were 
well grazed, the whole having the appearance of good practical 
management, without any special attempt at display. And 
the same may be said of the buildings. The farmhouse, indeed, 
is remarkably good ; the homestead, stone-built and provided 
with water power, is substantial and useful rather than a model 
farmery got up for exhibition. 
Mr. Ashburner's herd of Shorthorns has achieved a great 
reputation, and deserves it. Amongst his cows, bulls, heifers, 
and calves, many examples can be pointed out of success in 
Showyards : and individual animals could be easily selected 
well deserving purchase by any one wishing to establish a 
Shorthorn herd on good original lines and of first-rate consti- 
tution. The flock, too, is noteworthy, both for its mountain 
Herdwicks, and for its Shropshires ; which, like the rest of the 
live-stock on the place, are a credit to the judgment and manage- 
ment of the tenant. The road to the farm from the Kirk by 
Station passes through hamlets of cottages closely packed, 
without much attempt at arrangement, with odd spaces therefore 
in every corner which have been filled as flower-beds, and in 
summer-time are a delight. 
The personal element in the case of Low Hall Farm is of 
some public interest. The farm was occupied by the late 
Mr. R. W. Ashburner from 1852 to 1867, and since his death 
by the son, Mr. George Ashburner. The eldest son is farming 
in California, the second has farmed near Ulverston and in 
Gloucestershire, the youngest succeeded his father here. The 
late Mr. Ashburner's name appears in the 1st vol. of the 
Shorthorn Herdbook, and there are entries by his sons after him, 
all being Shorthorn breeders. The late Mr. Ashburner bought 
his first Shorthorn in Cumberland — a cow called " Lady," bred 
by " Young Western Comet" (1575), dam by son of " Layton," 
