428 The Prize System as applied to Small Farmers in Ireland. 
when it was " striped," about twenty years ago. The farm is a 
strip, one field in width, bounded on the south by a rivulet, and 
on the north by a turf-bog. In 1872 the management of the farm 
was far in advance of that of any neighbouring farm. That there 
were then manifest defects, however, is evidenced by the fact 
that Sampey obtained only 365 marks out of a total of 600. 
Sundry improvements have been effected since. Three fields 
have been broken up and enriched ; and of these two have been 
relaid down to grass. In 1876 a field of coarse pasture was tilled 
and manured ; and now the entire farm is under a judicious 
system of " convertible " husbandry, and presents a creditable 
appearance. In common with the parctice of a vast majority of 
the small farmers of the district, the cows used to be housed in 
the end of the dwelling. In 1876 a very suitable cowhouse, 16 
feet by 14 feet, was erected, at an outlay in cash of 51., together 
with the labour of Sampey and his son in attending tradesmen. 
The offices now consist of a barn, piggery, cowhouse, and 
poultry-house. 
The manure-heap, too, used to be close to the door. In 1876 
it was removed to the rear of a yard which was inclosed, and 
which will be further improved. This year the end of the house 
hitherto occupied by cows is to be cut off by a partition, and sub- 
divided into a dairy and small bedroom. With an additional 
slight improvement, Sampey's farm will then be as well managed 
as any man could reasonably expect. 
The garden is smaller than Jordan's. In 1876 it was ad- 
mirably cropped. 
The farm is divided into six fields and a paddock, which in 
1876 bore the following crops : — 
A. R. P. A. R. p. 
Manured crops : Potatoes and Turnips .... 2 3 0 
Oats on lea 1 2 20) l 3 30 
Oats with grass-seeds 0 1 10) 
Old grass pastured 12 ^39 0 
„ meadowed 2 0 0) 
Paddock grazed .... 02 0 
Garden 0 0 30 
House, yards, ofBces, &c .... 0 0 30 
Total 9 0 10 
There is also a turf-bank, which supplies fuel. 
From data already given, the income from this little farm may 
be estimated. I would gladly go into the figures were I not 
afraid of making this paper too long. It is enough for me to 
say, that while a large family has been reared, Sampey has been 
able to save money. 
The present fertility of the land may be said to have been the 
creation of his labour. Five feet of turf have been taken away 
