406 
The Winter 0/ 1885-86. 
" 9. It is difficult to answer these questions, It was supposed that the 
deficiency of the root crops would result in half-fed animals coming early to 
market, and this would be followed by scarcity ; but throughout the whole 
"winter and spring the supply was large and exceeded the demand, which was 
greatly reduced by the bad state of trade reducing wage-earning incomes. 
The roots were excellent in quality when preserved from frost, and cattle did 
well. The great increase in cattle stock in the country partly accounts 
for low prices; but although sheep have also increased, there has been 
a scarcity, probably because the taste of the wealthier classes is more for 
mutton than beef. 
" 10. The importance of more protection for our animals, especially the use 
of suitably ventilated covered yards. The more careful storing of the root 
crops, when they are matured, and the more general use of the jxilper and 
chaff-cutter, with a mixture of aitificial food, suitable for growth and feeding 
purposes." 
Mr. Thos. Jennings, Staincross, Barnsley, Yorkshire : 
" 1. 300 acres in extent, and mostly of a thin greenstone soil, worth little 
excepting for sheep-farming ; the grass, a third of the whole, fair, but not 
equal to feeding without assistance. Climate late, compared with East and 
South. 
"2. Summer began dry and cold, especially cold and frosty nights; 
midsummer brought an improvement, with gentle rain and sunny days; 
autumn, much rain. Winter, very severe, with abundance of snow and 
frost ; spring, 1886, late and very wet." 
Mr. F. R. Jones, Lane Ends, Crossland Moor, Huddersfield, 
Yorkshire : 
" 1. About 350 acres (including plantations valuable for pasture) is table 
land, and 1000 feet above the sea-level ; the soil is generally of a peaty nature 
■well suited to the growth of grass, lints, and turnips, but too high for wheat ; 
and oats are precarious, still I persevere with oats. 
" 2. The constant downpour of rain during the autumn of 1885 very much 
interfered with the gathering of hay and sadly spoiled the crop ; but turnips 
matured wonderfuUj'. 
" 7. Shelter for sheep is indispensalle in high latitudes. I have several 
sheds, and when bad or snowy weather is probable, we entice the sheep into 
them, thus saving many lives. 
" 10. The best advice I can give to the farmer is always to keep the 
number of his stock well within the produce of his farm, so that the stock 
may be kept in good condition. The influx of foreign food has nermally 
reduced the value of our animals, and it is doubtful whether former prices 
will recur to us." 
Mr. George Drewry, Holker, Cark-in-Cartmel, Carnforth, 
Lancashire : 
" 1. Most of the arable land is reclaimed peat moss, and some land has been 
reclaimed from the sea. 
" 2. We had a fair average summer, and the winter was not so severe as 
many we have had, and root crops were quite an average in 1885. 
" 3 and 4. Root crops quite an average, and no scarcity of winter food for 
cither sheep or cattle. 
" 6. Have one silo. As silage keeps longer than roots, it will be useful if 
the roots fail. 
" 7. We have not many sheep-sheds in this district. 
