298 Report on the Farm-Prize Competition, 1871. 
avoa of competition, was not so well represented ; and it is a 
matter of reg:ret that man}' farms which have a considerable 
reputation wcie not entered. 
In Mr. Keary's Report of the Farm Competition of 1870, the 
unfavourable character of the spring, as affecting the appearance 
of the crops, was dwelt upon ; and we have no doubt that, in 
such an unusually dry summer, local showers would materially 
affect the relative appearance of some crops. We had to deal 
Avith more favourable conditions, inasmuch as the competing- 
farms were pretty much in the same position as regards the 
influence of climate. 
It may be as well to state that the following were the condi- 
tions under which the prizes were awarded : — 
1. General management with a view to profit. 
2. Productiveness of crops. 
3. Goodness and suitability of live stock. 
4. Management of grass-land. 
5. State of gates, fences, roads, and general neatness. 
In addition to the above, we were instructed, in the case of 
the dairy" farms, to pay special attention to the management 
of the produce, as well as the cleanliness of the dairy. 
Armed with these instructions, we commenced our first in- 
spection on the 15th day of May, completing the same on the 
28th ; and having given to each case a most careful consideration, 
we weie enabled to separate the better specimens for a final 
review, which we carried out during the week preceding the 
opening of the Society's Meeting at Wolverhampton. Our plan 
of operation was, first to go over the whole farm, note the 
appearance of the crops, condition of the land, state of fences and 
buildings. The live stock were then inspected, and, finally, 
answers were requested to a series of questions, the replies to 
which are, to some extent, embodied in the following Report. 
Our Awards were as follow : — 
For the best-managed Arable Farm. — First Prize, of 100?., 
offered by the landowners in Staffordshire and Shropshire , to 
Mr. George Townsend Forester, of High Ercall, Wellington, 
Salop. Second Prize, of 50/., offered by the Society, to Mr. 
Thomas Winterton, Alrewas Hays, Lichfield. Highly com- 
mended, and a special prize of 25/., given by the subscribers, to 
Mr. William Brewster, Balderton Hall, Middle, Wem, Salop, 
for his successful management of good land. Highly com- 
mended, and a special prize of 25/., given by the subscribers, to 
Mrs. Elizabeth Sankey, of Bratton Farm, Wellington, Salop, 
in recognition of her profitable management. Highly com- 
mended, the farms occupied by Mr. George Anderson May, of 
Elford Park', Tamworth, and Mr. Charles Reynold Keeling, 
