Report on the Wancichshire Farm-Prize Competition, 1876. 541 
I circumstances. Independently of the unfavourable season, a 
virulent attack of foot-and-mouth disease, which broke out on 
his farm in September (introduced by some sheep brought from 
Oxford market), had played fearful havoc with both his sheep 
and his cattle. Three valuable cows died from it before our 
autumn visit, and a fourth, which was such an excellent animal 
for the dairy that the greatest efforts were made to save her life, 
was reduced to the most pitiable state, being unable to stand, 
her feet having fairly sloughed away with the disease. We 
learned afterwards that she was shot subsequently. The whole 
of the flock and the herd were more or less affected with this 
dreadful malady, the effects of which had not entirely dis- 
appeared when we visited the farm in May, some of the cattle 
being still lame and out of condition from the serious nature of 
the attack. 
Moreover, up to the time of the Judges' first visit, ^Ir. Wake- 
field had suffered under the material disadvantage of having 
buildings which were utterly insufficient in their character and 
the accommodation they afforded for the stock of the farm. This 
evil, however, was in process of rectification, and we were pleased 
to find in Alay a substantial and well-constructed farm-steading 
just finished, which must prove of great advantage to the occu- 
pation. 
Mr. Wakefield's figures left us in no doubt that his farm was 
managed in a manner which was profitable to himself, at the 
same time that he was permanently increasing the value of the 
holding ; and we were satisfied that a very large quantity of corn 
and of meat was produced on the farm, and that in every respect 
it was managed in a business-like and creditable manner. 
Mr. Simpson's farm, which is near the village of Stoneleigh 
and just outside Lord Leigh's park, and which consists of 
237 acres of arable and 133 of pasture — a total of 370 acres — 
does not offer any particular feature of management for descrip- 
tion ; but its appearance is unexceptionably neat and orderly, 
and the work is well done. The character of the land varies, 
considerably, some being light and gravelly and some of a heavy 
marly character. The light land is cropped on the ordinary four- 
course routine ; the heavy on the six-course rotation. Seeds 
occasionally remain down two years. The sheep are good and 
the cattle fair. Ten horses are worked, and these are of a useful 
stamp. 
I must, in conclusion, offer the acknowledgments of the Judges, 
to all the competitors for the uniform courtesy, kindness, and 
hospitality which they received at their hands. The numerous- 
queries which it was our duty to make with regard to points of 
