498 Report on the Warwickshire Farm-Prize Competition, 1876. 
the farm, together with the town of Stratford and surrounding 
country. 
It should be mentioned that about 30 acres of land in the 
western corner are held on a yearly tenancy from Miss Mills, and 
that the eastern portion of the farm nearest the town of Stratford, 
including Clopton Park and about 47 acres of arable land, are 
also under a yearly agreement from Mr. Hodgson. The remainder, 
comprising the main portion of the farm, was taken under a 
lease of fourteen years in 1865, so that Mr. Stilgoe has only three 
years more of the lease unexpired. Within the first five years of 
the tenancy 160 acres were drained (the landlord finding tiles, 
according to the lease), at a cost of 3Z. per acre. The drains 
were laid at a distance of 12 yards and at a depth of 3 feet, 
and so far have been very successful. In addition to the con- 
siderable outlay entailed by this work, Mr. Stilgoe filled up 
many pits and grubbed a great number of hedges, thus altering 
very much the appearance of the farm, and improving its 
capabilities for profitable cultivation. 
There are no restrictions as to cultivation, and the privilege 
of selling hay and straw is conceded to the tenant by the terms 
of the agreement, excepting during the last year of tenancy. 
Hay is not sold, but Mr. Stilgoe has been accustomed to sell 
straw to some extent in order to recoup himself for the outlay 
on stable-manure, mentioned below. A large quantity of this is 
annually brought from Stratford. In the first ten years of his 
tenancy Mr. Stilgoe spent 1039Z. in this way, and a further sum 
of 174/. was in the same period spent in lime. We noticed, 
however, that the outlay on lime had ceased, though that on 
stable-manure still continues. 
The buildings near the house, which were up to that time 
insufficient for the accommodation of the stock, were last year 
remodelled or reconstructed at a cost of about 900/., upon which 
sum the tenant pays 5 per cent, as additional rent. They are 
now of a capital substantial and roomy character, containing 
good feeding-sheds, calf-pens, and other necessary adjuncts. 
Water is laid on from the hill above to every part of them, the 
cost being included in the above sum. In addition to this home- 
stead there are two other very useful sets of cattle-yards, with 
barns, &c., at opposite extremities of the farm. > 
Grass Land. — Of the 150 acres of grass land on the farm, 
about 84 acres are occupied by the two parks at the front and 
rear of Clopton House, and a further 6 acres by an orchard 
adjoining the latter. The quality of most of this land is fair, 
and it is grazed with mixed cattle and sheep. The three pieces 
on the hill-side have been already mentioned as inferior. The 
remaining grass land is scattered, some portion of it lying near 
