Tlie Farm Prize Competition o/1890. 
801 
to the production of cider, their orchards would be much more 
remunerative than they hitherto have been. 
The Judges were so favourably impressed with the successful 
management of this farm in general, and of the cider in particular, 
that they ventured to recommend Mrs. Hill and her son for a 
third prize, which the Local Committee very Liberally and con- 
siderately granted. 
Class I. — Commended Farms. 
Occupied ly Mr. J. S. Ford, Senior, lJall Torrs, Yealmpton. 
This farm Lies close to the picturesque village of Yealmpton, 
about 7 miles east of Plymouth, and between 4 and 5 miles from 
the Plympton and Ivybridge railway stations. For depth and 
richness of soil, and natural advantages, this farm is one of the 
most favoured in the competition. Xo finer grazing ground 
can be wished for than some of the old pastures, whilst the 
crops on the arable land show that the soil is a grateful one, 
and repays liberal treatment. Mr. Ford has held the farm 
since 1878, when he succeeded his father, who had been upon it 
for 42 years. The cropping and cultivation of the arable land are 
upon much the same lines as on the farms already noticed. 
The fields are square, and of fair size, and many old fences have 
from time to time been removed. Indeed, the farm bears many 
evidences of having been well managed and looked after in the 
past. A considerable extent of stone facing to the fences has 
been done in years gone by, and some 40?. has been expended in 
such work by the present tenant within the last three years. 
The stock are good all round, though perhaps not quite so 
numerous as the farm is capable of carrying. Formerly, Mr. 
Ford was an admirer of Shorthorns, and kept a small herd, 
but although successful with them in the show-yard, he was 
no more able to induce his neighbours to appreciate their good 
qualities, and to substitute them for South Hammers, than sundry 
more recent breeders of the " red, white, and roan " have been. 
For some years, therefore, he has devoted his attention to the 
local breed, and has met with more success. Six heifers and a 
bull were on both occasions of the Judges' visits being fed and 
got ready for exhibition at Plymouth, where they afterwards 
won three first prizes, one second prize, and a commendation. 
The sheep also are worthy of mention, as they were an excellent 
level lot, showing much aptitude to fatten, and carrying heavy 
fleeces of wool. All of them were of Mr. Ford's own breeding. 
In January some of the early lambs were ready for the butcher, 
vol. i. t. s. — 1- 3 u 
