430 The Prize System as applied to Small Farmers in Ireland. 
The stock on hand at the time of my inspection was 3 cows, 
3 year-and-a-half-old heifers, 2 weanlings, 3 sheep, 2 sows, 
GO poultry, and a donkey. Being a good judge of cattle, this 
man deals in " springers " during summer. 
His income in 1876 was something like the following : — 
£ s. d. 
5 firkins of butter of 6 1 stones each, and at 17s. a stone 27 12 6 
Milk and butter consumed by family 10 0 0 
Increased value of the 3 year-and-a-half-old heifers .. 12 0 0 
2 weanlings 7 00 
15 young pigs, at 11. each 15 0 0 
2 fattened, less cost of purchased food 7 5 0 
Eggs and poultry 1200 
Potatoes for family use (diseased and small ones being 
used by the cows and pigs), 65 tons, at 31. 10s. a ton 22 15 0 
The oat-crop is given in sheaf to the cows 
About 15 cows were changed at periods varying from a 
week to six weeks, at an average profit of 11. 5s. each 18 15 0 
132 7 6 
From this should be deducted the rent and a sum of 11/. 5s. 6d. 
paid for grazing, as well as the few incidental expenses that a 
farmer of this class incurs. The remainder will be the reward 
of his own labour and skill, and of such assistance as he gets 
from his family. 
The conditions of this man's land and the appearance of his 
house testify to his prosperity. There is in the family every 
indication of happiness. I asked him why he did not compete 
for the Spencer prizes until 1876 ; and he replied by saying that 
he did not wish to try until he would be sure of getting a good 
place. The improvements effected in the land and offices during 
the past two years confirm this statement. Thus we see how a 
man who has been unusually successful comes to be stimulated 
to further exertions by a prize system in which he has con- 
fidence. 
Of all the competitors, Thomas Conway of Clonrea, to whom 
a brief allusion has been already made, deserves' the most credit. 
In 1873 he scored only 260 marks, of which 200 were for the 
land. I give the marks in the several sections in that year and 
in 1876 :— 
1873. 1876. 
1. The cultivation of the soil 200 230 
2. Live-stock 5 65 
3. Farm-offices 10 30 
4. Management of manure 25 30 
5. Garden 10 20 
6. Dwelling 10 35 
260 
410 
