The Prize System as applied to Small Farmers in Ireland. 411 
Doyle lives exclusively on the proceeds of his holding. Ryan 
deals in cabbage-plants in spring. Ryan's receipts from the 
sale of pigs in 1870 were close on 40/. He also sold twenty- 
five couples of poultry at 6s. a couple. Most of the eggs were 
used by the family. Both Doyle and Ryan are in very com- 
fortable circumstances. Doyle has a good slate house and 
suitable farm offices. Ryan made an addition to his offices 
during the year. Each had at the time of my visit a large 
quantity of well-made manure, which was kept away from the 
front of the dwelling. 
Widow Doyle and Patrick Nolan scored the same number of 
marks (505) each as Patrick Ryan. The progress of improve- 
ments in the farms of both is very interesting, and aptly illus- 
trates the good effect of the Spencer prize system. In 1874 
Mrs. Doyle scored 410 marks ; in 1876 she obtained 505. She 
holds 19 a. 1 r. 30 p., at the rent of 11/. 14s. In 1876 the 
crops were : — 
A. E. p. 
Marigolds and turnips 2 0 0 
Potatoes 300 
Oats with seeds 3 0 0 
Lea-oats 3 2 0 
Grass grazed 3 3 20 
Grass meadowed 3 2 0 
The remainder was under garden, buildings, roads, &c. 
The live-stock at the time of inspection consisted of 1 draught 
animal; 2 cows; 2 heifers; 1 calf; 1 sow in young, and 3 
fattening pigs ; also 9 sheep. 
The cash receipts during the year included 18/. for two 
heifers, SI. for one weanling bullock, and 23/. 6s. for five fat pigs. 
The reader can estimate from data given elsewhere the probable 
income derived from butter, eggs, poultry, and oats. The gross 
return from this holding during the year was very large. The 
family consists of the widow and six children. The house was 
clean and comfortable. 
The case of Patrick Nolan, of Coolasnaugh, is still more 
remarkable. In 1873, when I first inspected his farm, he scored 
381 marks ; in 1876 he got 505. He holds about 30 statute 
acres at a rent of 10/. 16s. He has since reclaimed and improved 
several fields, added to his buildings without asking aid from 
Lord Bessborough, and adopted an improved system of cultiva- 
tion. The crops in 1876 were: — 
A. R. P. 
Potatoes 4 0 0 
Turnips 13 0 
Mangolds and cabbage 0 2 0 
Oats with seeds 330 
Lea-oats 4 3 0 
