The Prize System as applied to Small Farmers in Ireland. 419 
The return from the labour applied to the farm is very satis- 
factory. What a happy country this would be if all the small 
farmers were as prosperous as this man ! 
I should like to give similar details regarding every small 
farmer in this district, who has won a prize ; but if 1 did so, 
this paper would run to too great a length. 
John Fitzgerald, who is at the top of the list, was a farm- 
labourer until 1873, when he got into possession of his holding, 
which he has already improved very much. 
John Troy, who scores the same number of marks, has made 
very great progress since 1872. In that year he scored 310 
marks; in 1873, 337 marks; in 1874, 438 marks; and in 1876, 
he scored 497 marks, and ranked equal to Wynne. Troy's 
holding is now admirably cropped. 
In the management of Flynn's farm, who obtained fourth place, 
there are several features of merit. 
John Bumster, who took the fifth prize, affords on his holding 
a very fair model for many farmers in his district, which is 
several miles from the centre of either of the two districts 
referred to above. He holds 8 a. 3 r. 27 p., for which he pays a 
rent of 9/. 16s. There are seven fields, three of which, con- 
taining 3 a. 1 r. 0 p., are in permanent pasture ; and four, 
containing 4 a. 3 r. 27 p., are in tillage. Roads, gardens, 
and buildings occupy 3 roods. The crops in 1876 were : — 
A. R. P. 
Potatoes 12 0 
Turnips 3 0 0 
Wheat 12 0 
Oats with seeds 0 3 27 
4 3 27 
The live-stock kept during the year consisted of 2 cows, 1 calf, 
1 pony, 3 sets of pigs, and a large number of poultry. The 
sales during the year were : — 
£ s. d. 
9 barrels of wheat, at 22s 9 18 0 
8 barrels of oats, at 12s. 6c?. 5 0 0 
Pigs: 3 sets of two each, less cost of Indian meal ..17 5 0 
1 calf 0 9 0 
The cows calved in spring. For the first month they pro- 
duced 15 lbs. of butter per week ; after which the quantity went 
down to 12 lbs., and gradually decreased. One pound (1 lb.) 
per week was kept for the use of the family. The entire butter 
sold realised 18/. lbs. One very good calf was reared. The 
sale of eggs exceeded 12/. 
All the. tillage of the farm and the feeding of the cows, pigs, 
and fowl are done by the family, whose prosperity and happiness 
are very apparent. 
