Report on the Fann-Prizc Competition, 1871. 
317 
are liiglicr, tlioiijili loss constant, than nliore tlie live stock are 
principally bred upon the faiin. 
We were particularly struck with the economical employment 
of labour, considering the high wages that were paid, and the 
clean and creditable condition of the land. The total outlay in 
this department is certainly ycry moderate. 
Me. Brewster's Farm. 
A sum of 5UZ. having been placed at the disposal of the 
Judges by the local subscribers, we decided to divide the same 
into two special prizes of 2bl. each, to be given to the occupiers 
of farms, the management of whiih contained special features of 
excellence. In the case of Mr. I5rewster, whose farm we are 
about to describe, the point to which we direct attention is the 
successful management of good land. Mr. Brewster's farm, 
at Balderton Hall, near Middle, county of Shropshire, comprises 
167 acres of arable land, and 165 of old jjasture ; it is held on 
a lease of fourteen vears, and is situated 7 miles north-west of 
Shrewsbury on the direct high load from thence to Ellesmere, 
this road intersecting the farm. The land is on a general incline 
towards the north, and is divided into various-sized fields of from 
10 to 30 acres. It rests partly upon the red sandstone and partly 
upon clay, but at some depth from the surface soil, which is of 
excellent quality, and adapted to the growth of every variety of 
crop, as is abundantly proved by the aspect of the farm this year. 
The farm has been thoroughly drained, and Mr. Brewster has a 
plan showing the direction of every drain in each field laid down 
to scale, from which it would appear that the land is completely 
gridironed. The drainage was done by the owner when occu- 
pier; therefore, as far as his knowledge extended, it was done 
regardless of expense. We do not say that fewer drains would 
have served the purpose, but it is most uncommon to see land 
so intersected. The four-course system is adopted, although 
Mr. Brewster, holding upon a lease, has liberty to take two 
white crops in succession, — a permission he has not availed 
himself of, believing such a system would be less profitable 
than his own. The preparation for the root-crop is somewhat 
peculiar, and worthy of notice. 
The stubbles are carefully looked over, and the couch- 
grass forked out, — a plan which ensures perfect cleanliness, for 
we could not discover a single root. The land is then deeply 
ploughed for the winter, cultivated in the spring, harrowed down 
fine, and ridged at 26 inches interval by the double mould-board 
plough. Upon this is sown by hand artificial manures, 5 cwts. 
an acre (Proctor and Ry land's), then the following operation is 
performed : — The intervals betwixt the ridges are deeply stirred 
