464 Report upon the Liverpool Prize-Farm Competition 
in favour of allowing- tenants to sell the produce of their farms 
and re-purchasing manure. There is no more expensive system 
of making manure than by compelling a farmer to utilise all his 
straw at home. The expense of making the straw fit for ap- 
plication to the land is enormous. In out-lying districts, far 
away from railways, which means from agricultural civilisation, 
a primitive system of agriculture may profitably exist ; but 
only under a correspondingly low rent. I know that exception 
may be taken to some of these statements. The success of 
the agriculturists who surround Liverpool and Manchester will 
be entirely attributed to situation ; but I wish that those who 
may think so would go and judge for themselves. What I 
hold is this — the facilities for the transport of every descrip- 
tion of farm-produce are now so great that the demands of our 
large cities are opened up to the farmers of the kingdom. The 
question therefore is, What proportion does rent bear to the 
cost of carriage ? Although at first sight the balance may 
appear entirely in favour of farms situated near large towns, 
it can be shown that the margin of rent is almost equivalent to 
the cost of transport of produce, but of course the advantages 
of being able to deliver farm-produce direct from the farm are 
immense. I would here compliment the owners of the com- 
peting farms on the liberality of their covenants, which allow 
the tenants to sell whatever produce they choose ; though I 
admit the necessity for restrictions in regard to cropping in 
some instances, but this can only be compared to penal laws 
for bad behaviour, which are, unfortunately, a necessary evil. 
Another element of agricultural success the Judges found 
illustrated in a manner to be imitated and admired by all 
connected with agriculture — viz., the farmers themselves setting 
an example to their people, by earnest application to their 
business. Amidst the wail of agricultural distress, it is cheering 
to know that there is at least one district in the kingdom in 
which a meed of prosperity exists. 
PRODUCTIVENESS OF CROPS. 
Under the second heading, Productiveness of Crops, the present 
situation again tells its tale, the principal sums realised being 
from sales of hay and straw. The announcement, just made, oi 
the agricultural prosperity of the farmers in this district may 
surprise farmers in other districts, and it may be attributed to a 
combination of fortunate circumstances. Possibly to some ex- 
tent it may be so ; but of this I feel assured, that the mercantile 
enterprise of Liverpool and Manchester merchants has imbued 
the agriculturists of the district with the same impetus. The 
