Report on the Farm-Prize Competition of 1886. 613 
manure is also brought on to the farm, together equal to an 
expenditure of 35.v. per acre for manure over the whole. 
The grass-land is also brought under this fertilising influence. 
None is ever mown, and the consumption on it of so large a 
quantity of cake must certainly tend to increase its power of pro- 
duction ; and we are inclined to think that this practice of 
manuring by means of live-stock is the safest and most judicious 
that can be pursued. But in saying this we must not be under- 
stood as approving the use of so large a quantity of cake as 
Mr. Learner gives his cattle, although it is within the experience 
of the reporting judge, and doubtless could be confirmed 
by others who have fed animals for fat stock shows, that they 
will consume more than 14 lbs. of mixed cake and meal, and 
gain more weight than when having a less quantity. But it is 
highly probable that a part of such large quantity may pass 
through the animal without assimilation, and hence be wasteful. 
On the other hand, with high-pressure feeding, time is gained, 
and a saving effected at various points, so that as usual some- 
thing may be said on both sides of the question. 
It will, however, be obvious that the pecuniary success of a 
farm worked on the lines which I have described must largely 
depend on the manager's judgment of the grazing qualities of his 
cattle, and his capability as a market-man of dealing with them. 
I do not think we saw an inferior animal of any sort on this farm 
— a fact which indicates good judgment ; and, as to the latter, it 
is said " experience maketh the simple wise," though we doubt 
if in any stage of his existence Mr. Learner could come under 
that category, and I cannot doubt that, with his immense expe- 
rience in the trade, he could well by this time graduate in it as 
a Master of Arts. 
Book-keeping is, perhaps, the weakest link in Mr. Learner's 
chain. The books kept are — a Day-book, showing all the out- 
I goings for labour, rent, rates, and all other expenditure on the 
' farm ; a Stock-book, showing the cost of his cattle and sheep, 
the cake they consume, and the prices they are sold for ; and a 
Corn-book, showing what his crops realise. He commenced 
life as the occupier of 150 acres, and now farms 1200 — a fact 
speaking volumes as to his capacity as a profitable manager, while 
the preceding details show that the other conditions required 
of a successful competitor were amply fulfilled, and that 
Mr. Learner well merited the first prize in his Class, which we 
awarded to him. 
We recommended the Council to grant a Certificate to Robert 
Flotman, who has been in Mr. Learner's employment for fifteen 
years, and previously for twenty-four years in the service of 
Mr. Burr, who owned and occupied the farm, and for the tenant 
i 
