400 The Prize System as applied to Small Farmers in Ireland. 
The first Spencer prize was won two years in succession 
by the same person, and the first of the Burges prizes was won 
in 1873 and 1874 by another. As both dropped out of the com- 
petition at the close of 1874, I expected that the number of 
entries would have increased largely in 1875. Three new com- 
petitors did come forward, but four of the old ones declined to 
enter. In 1876 they remained about the same. 
It may be asked why a system so immediately addressed to 
the wants of the people has thus failed to excite competition ? 
In answer to this question I would add to the drawback first 
stated, that in this and in some other districts a feeling has spread 
among the less intelligent of the small farmers that their rents 
might be raised if they succeeded in winning these prizes. 
It is unfortunate that this or any notion of the kind should 
be circulated in connection with this system. I believe such a 
notion never entered the mind of Mr. Burges. It is not to be 
disguised that the system, if useful to the tenants in the first 
instance, must in the course of time benefit the landlords. The 
person who objects to the Spencer system on this ground, to be 
consistent, would oppose all means of promoting agricultural 
progress. 
Another and a more powerful cause will be found in the fact 
that as there have been only three Spencer prizes, those who 
have been disappointed three times have been discouraged, and 
the knowledge of their failure has deterred others from coming 
forward. It will be seen in the Report on the Loughglynn and 
Grange districts, that when local subscriptions have enabled us 
to increase the number of prizes considerably, the scheme has 
developed itself in a remarkable manner, and been followed by 
most gratifying results. 
In 1875 the first of the Spencer prizes was won by George 
Frizelle, who holds about six statute acres from the Earl of 
Charlemont. Frizelle manages his farm most profitably. His 
land and his house and offices present a great contrast to those 
of some of his neighbours. 
In 1876 James Delvin, who holds 6 acres, 3 roods from Mr. 
Burges, scored as many marks as Frizelle. In the earlier years 
of the competition Delvin did not feel that he would have any 
chance of a prize. In 1874 he entered for the first time, and 
scored 302 marks; in 1875 he obtained 379 marks ; and in 1876 
he scored 415. 
In 1875 the first of the Burges prizes was won by Mr. Flenry 
Hall. Through some cause or other there was only one entry 
for the Burges prizes in 1876. I have, however, gone to see 
Hall's farm, which, on the whole, presents a better appearance 
than it did in 1875. I give a brief notice of the cropping of 
