in Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales. 463 
acres in extent, having at least two-thirds of its area under rotation of crop- 
ping, 201. 
The Judges were instructed specially to consider — 
1. General management with a view to profit. 
2. Productiveness of crops. 
3. Goodness and suitability of live-stock. 
4. Management of grass- and clover-lands. 
5. State of gates, fences, roads, and general neatness. 
6. Book-keeping. 
These instructions, so simple and well arranged, prevented 
complication, while allowing full scope for comparison. In 
describing the nature of the country, I may say that generally 
the natural capabilities of the soil are not great ; but as they 
have been aided by skilful management and large outlay, trie 
district is now in a very high state of fertility. No district in 
England, however, shows a greater diversity as to soil, climate, 
and cultivation. The average rainfall is 26 inches, and the 
winter is comparatively mild, from proximity to the Atlantic- 
Ocean. Before proceeding to detail the results of this competi- 
tion, I may mention that it is but a sequel of many other com- 
petitions which had previously taken place in the same district. 
The first heading lor the consideration of the Judges was 
General Management with a view to Profit. 
Under this heading much depends upon the situation of the 
farm. I may here mention that all the competing farms under 
Class I., with one exception, and another farm which was with- 
drawn, were within easy carting distance of Liverpool or 
Manchester. The advantages of such a situation are very great, 
enabling the tenant to realise the highest prices for his produce, 
and to obtain liberal supplies of what may be called the " Magic- 
Wand of Agriculture;" namely, abundance of manure of all 
kinds. We have a happy illustration, in these competing 
farms around Liverpool, of those mercantile principles so often 
found wanting in agricultural practice, viz., a profitable system 
ol barter. The substantial success of these farms shows the 
benefit of freedom of cropping, combined with full liberty as to 
sale of produce. Even with the price of straw comparatively 
low, there is always a considerable balance in favour of the 
seller, although he may allow a liberal price for all the stable- 
dung of some livery stable where the horses are receiving 
lull keep in hay and oats. It looks a fine thing on paper 
to say you will supply a large stable with straw, on condition 
of receiving all the dung as payment; but I have found from 
practical experience a considerable balance in favour of selling 
the straw and purchasing manure. This is another argument 
