398 
The JVinter of 1885-86. 
greatest difficulty was with 80 West Hiahland oxen, having to yard them, 
to which they did not take kindly, but they also are now nearly fat in the 
grass fields (having meal and oilcake in addition). 
" 5. Ko ; our rye and vetches, although late, came to the rescue in time. 
" 6. No experience. 
" 7. We do not give shelter to sheep, excepting ewes during the lambing 
season. 
" 9. I consider that low prices were ^iroduced by over-production at 
home ; and our foreign supply, combined with bad trade throughout the 
country, causing a very bad demand at the butchers' shops. 
" 10. The great lesson taught is that of economy, and that when Providence 
again sends us ample root crops, &c., we shall be less wasteful, and keep a 
larger quantity of stock at less cost, — much fodder and other matter from 
last year's sheer necessity being found, when cut up and mixed with rice- 
meal, treacle, and other cheap ingredients, to have a feeding value beyond 
being simply thrown out as manure." 
Mr. William Stratton, Kingston Deverill, Warminster, Wilts : 
" 1. On a chalk subsoil. About 600 feet above the sea-level, with a 
rainfall of about 36 inches. 
" 2. Summer of 1885 was very dry. Eainfall for three months (June, 
July, August), 3'57. When rain fell in September, cold weather set in, and 
no growth followed. The severe and protracted winter following, found 
autumn-sown corn in a weak backward state. March was characterised by 
severe frosty nights, alternating with sunny days ; there being no snow to 
protect vegetation, great loss of plant occurred in the case of winter beans, 
\'etches, and winter oats, as well as of wheat. 
" 3. I'oots were a complete failure, even wlien well farmed and sown under 
favourable conditions. 
" 4. I'he crop of bay was good, and of first-rate quality ; cake and corn 
were cheap ; straw was also very good ; stock was well fed, at great expense. 
Cattle were still selUng at low prices when summer at last appeared ; but 
sheep, having been killed down close in the autumn to save keep, were in 
May scarce, and mutton sold at high prices. 
" 5. Green food was very scarce throughout April and May, and farmers 
were compelled to feed off much grass which shoidd have been reserved 
for hay. 
" 6. No experience. 
« 7. No. 
" 9. Scarcity of food was the great cause of the fall in the price of mutton ; 
the low prices of beef throughout the winter and spring are difiicult to 
understand." * 
Mr. James Greenaway (Bailiff on the Marquis of Bath's 
Wiltshire Farms), Bugley Farm, Warminster : 
" 1. Farms at Bugley and Xorrid<;;e, in the parish of Warminster, and at 
Corsley and Upton Scudamore. Conditions generally are advantageous, 
being situated close to good roads, good markets, and a railway station. 
Land is a mixture of sandy loam and a great proportion of heavy clay low- 
lying land, with a subsoil of chalk and rubble. 
"2. The summer of 1885 was generally suited to tliis locality, there being 
a good hay and corn harvest ; but it was a most disastrous .season for root- 
crojis, except mangolds, which were generally good. The autumn and winter 
were most trying for stock farmers generally, in consequence of their having 
to supply a large quantity of artificial fpod at an enormous expense. 
