in Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales. 
465 
Judges were struck with the large amount of labour achieved 
on the farms with comparatively small appliances: so earnest 
was the application of the men, that it almost appeared as if a 
system of contract-work existed in every department, which was 
not so, but was merely the effect of every farm being well 
mastered. 
The success of those farmers cannot be attributed to low rents. 
The land is rented at its full value. I could give an instance 
where a naturally poor clay-farm was simply made to pay by 
the very highest farming combined with individual effort, which 
means that the tenant himself did the work of three ordinary 
labourers. 
The labourers in this district are well paid, and present a 
contrast to those of many districts of England, and the worst 
farming was observed where the labourers were underpaid. 
The labour-bill for the year may be estimated at a trifle over 
'61. per acre. On some farms the labourers received from 9s. to 
10s. per week, with free board ; where this was not supplied, 
21s. per week may be taken as a fair average. This may sound 
high in the ears of some farmers in the South ; but it must be 
understood that these men work hard and honestly earn their 
hire. 
Live Stock. 
I now come, under the third heading, to speak of the Goodness 
and Suitability of the Live Stock. 
The Horses were most suitable for their work, combining both 
strength and activity. The breed is known as the " Shire " 
horse, and may be described as being larger and more powerful 
than the Clydesdale, with a slight dash of blood, and admi- 
rably adapted for the road. 
The Cows, which may be described as a Shorthorn cross, 
were generally large, with fine frames, showing great capabilities 
for dairy purposes. 
The Feeding Cattle and Sheep may be described as a flying 
stock, and were only kept for a short time on the farms ; the 
sheep are purchased in the autumn to eat up the aftermath, and 
generally fattened for sale about Christmas. Some farmers are 
in the habit of letting their foggage at so much per week. 
The Pigs were generally a very fine breed. 
The Poultry made a very profitable branch of the' farm ; in 
one instance nearly 10s. per acre being realised for poultry and 
eggs- 
Grass and Clover Lands. 
The fourth heading for consideration was Management of 
Grass and Clover Lands. 
