Report on l/te Farm- Prize Competition, 1871. 
305 
allowance of roots. The calves arc placed in a roomy slicd 
during the first winter, and ffivcn pulped roots, chopped hay, and 
straw, with an allowance of 1 lb. of linsced-cake per day. They 
arc allowed to run into an adjoining yard for two hours daily. 
The 1;V year-olds are kept loose in yards, 12 together, given 
pulped roots and chopped straw, with an allowance daily of 2 lbs. 
of linseed-cake, continued till grass. The older beasts (oxen), two 
years old and upwards, are placed in two yards of 12 each, fed 
in square tumbrils with six stones each of sliced swedes (never 
mangolds) per day. Mr. Forester prefers, for finishing ofFbeasts^ 
sliced roots in preference to pulping. At first the artificial food 
consists of 3 lbs. of an equal mixture of linseed-cake and decor- 
ticated cotton-cake, and increased the last six weeks to 7 lbs. each, 
with an addition of 3 lbs. of wheat (when cheap) and barley- 
meal in equal portions. What heifers or cows are fatted are tied 
up, and receive a similar quantity of roots and artificial food. 
We may here note that the grass land, which forms about one- 
third of the farm, is naturally weak. The older bullocks are 
run upon the best portions ; the next oldest are kept on useful store 
land ; whilst the youngest, which Mr. Forester calls his scavengers, 
are running over the leys and picking up what is rejected by every- 
thing else. They were a handsome lot, that any shorthorn breeder 
could not but admire. Their size and condition upon such 
moderate pastures were evidence of their aptitude for making 
flesh, for which the Herefords are so justly celebrated. ■ The cows 
with their calves are summered upon the weakest portions of the 
grass, and, notwithstanding their poor commons, were, in July, 
in splendid condition, many of them being fit for the butcher. 
S/ieep. — A flock of 150 Shropshire ewes are kept for breeding 
purposes, and produce about 225 lambs. These ewes run on 
the grass during the winter, and when near lambing are supplied 
with roots, and an allowance of ^ a lb. of linseed-cake per day, 
which is continued up to May. The lambs are weaned early 
in June, and placed upon the freshest pastures. Having been 
taught to eat cake with the ewes, a small quantity is allowed 
them up to their going on common turnips, when clover-hay is 
given them in preference to cake, up to their beginning swedes, 
which are cut for them, and about Christmas they are allowed 
^ a lb. of cake, increasing to J the last month or six weeks, till 
the time of their being clipped and sold. The sheep are removed 
from the turnip-fold to the grass early in March, where they 
have cut swedes and cake till the second week in April, at which, 
time they are usually sold. A certain number of ewe hoggs 
are reserved for the flock. 225 sheep are fed off annually. 
Horses. — Eight plough-horses and one jobbing-horse are kept, 
and are fed in the following manner: — ■ 
