in Northumberland and Durham in 1887. 605 
capable of feeding a bullock to the acre. One of the best of 
these fields is said to be the site of an ancient village which has 
entirely disappeared, though traces of buildings are clearly 
visible. Another pasture of 50 acres rejoices in the name of 
Creamy Riggs, and it is remarkable for its high-backed ridges, 
which rise at least three feet above the old furrows. At our 
first visit in December the deep furrows were filled with water. 
On the east side of High House Farm Mr. Angus occupies 
another farm of about 120 acres, called Butcher's Hill. This 
farm was not entered for competition, as it had been taken only 
a few years ago in a foul and exhausted condition. The Judges 
thought it their duty to inspect this farm, as it was worked with 
High House ; and though they could understand the reasons 
which induced Mr. Angus to withhold it, they saw nothing 
which would afTect the opinions they had formed from the 
inspection of the competing farm. High House Farm is 
said in the entry form to contain 200 acres of pasture and 
164 acres of arable, but an inspection of the map which was 
annexed showed 194 acres of pasture, 152 acres of arable, and 
10 acres of plantation, or 356 acres in all, leaving 8 acres un- 
accounted for. This quantity is probably taken up by roads, 
buildings, stackyards, house, cottages, and gardens. 
The schedule on page 606 shows the cropping of the different 
fields in 1887. The system of cultivation of the arable land is 
pretty clearly indicated by this schedule. 
Seeds are sown in a corn crop where two crops of roots have 
been grown at very short intervals, and the land has thus been 
thoroughly cleaned. The seeds sown for 4-6 years' ley are 
these : — 
5 lbs. Eed Clover. 
2 „ White „ 
2 „ Alsike „ 
2 „ Cow-grass. 
3 Cocksfoot. 
2 „ Timothy. 
16 lbs. heavy seeds. 
1 bush. Italian Eye-grass, 
f „ Perennial Kye-grass. 
1 bushel. 
The seeds are mown in the first year, after being top-dressed 
with 2 cwt. bone-meal, 2 cwt. superphosphate, and 1 cwt. 
nitrate of soda. After the first year the seeds are grazed with 
Cattle and Sheep receiving artificial food. The seeds lie 
from four to six years, and are then broken up in December or 
January for Oats, which are sown in March, and the crop is 
top-dressed with nitrate of soda and salt. The Oat crop is fol- 
lowed by Turnips or Swedes. The stubble is ploughed 10 to 12 
inches deep as early after harvest as is possible, and it is never 
