The Farm Prize Competition of 1890. 
807 
practicable. These water meadows were full of grass in June, 
and well calculated to flush the milk of some fine dairy cows 
which were grazing on them. 
The orchards extend to four acres, and are well looked 
after. Each tree gets a dressing of dung or compost yearly, and 
the pruning, &c, is duly attended to. Forty hogsheads of cider 
were produced last year, half of which were sold off unracked 
at from 25s. to 30s. each. 
A small herd of dairy cows (10 to 12 South Hammers) is kept, 
and the produce reared. Some of the cows are exceptionally 
good, and the young stock promise to maintain the character of 
the herd. One two-years-old bull of Mr. Ford's own breeding 
was a thick good animal, with level back, even flesh, and a 
fine masculine head. A younger one, recently purchased from a 
good herd, has, like so many young South Hammers, room to 
develop and furnish, but at present is not equal to the home- 
bred one. The cows are arranged to calve between Michaelmas 
and Ladyday, when butter realises the highest prices, and when 
calves are said in the locality to rear best. The cows are well 
kept, and the best milkers when in full profit get cake and bran 
and oats. The rest get bran and oats even when on grass. The 
total head in January was 41, including two bulls, and in June 
a similar number — the places of the steers fed off in the spring 
having been taken by calves born since. The cattle were a very 
even and good lot, and seemed able to thrive and milk hard at 
the same time. One heifer had been shown three times, and 
had been placed first on each occasion. All the cattle were in 
capital condition. 
About 100 breeding ewes (South Hams) are kept ; 30 of the 
ewe hoggs are added yearly to the flock, whilst the remainder 
and the wethers are fed off for the butcher in the winter and 
early spring. Some ewes and lambs of 1890 had gone off fat 
before the June visit at 78s. " the couple," viz. ewe and lamb. 
The sheep are well fed and kept going. In January the hoggs and 
wethers were getting lib. oats and \ pint maize daily, on cabbages 
and turnips, and in June those for the butcher were having |lb. 
cake daily. The lambs are weaned early in May, and get a 
little cake or corn for a short period to prevent their going 
back in condition. Rams are bought generally from Mr. Ford, 
sen. One of these had taken 1st prize at Yealmpton, in a class 
of seven. 
The five horses are a good, useful, and active lot, and show 
more breeding than is common in the county. One had recently 
won first prize at a local show. Two smart active hackneys are 
also kept for Mr. Ford's riding. Tbirteen black pigs, some 
