SS2 = 616 The Rojjal Agricultural Society of England. 
of the flock, can be thoroughly examined ; and the last in Jul 
immediately before the Show, when the prospects of the harve 
can be tolerably well estimated. 
Reports of The reports of the Judges, which are published in t 
Judges. t Journal,' and the unofficial descriptions published in the ag; 
cultural newspapers, are read with keen interest, especially | 
the competitors and their neighbours. It is to be hoped thanl 
material effect is thus being produced, analogous to that alream 
described as the result of the encouragement given during A 
many years to breeders of different classes of stock, namely, J 
increase in the number of really good farmers, for it is prbbatfl 
that the few who are now the best could not farm any bettfl 
with profit to themselves. The time during which the systej 
of Farm Prizes has been in operation is still too short, ho'| 
ever, to permit of any inference on this question being 
drawn. | 
General Still, it may be asked whether the eight competitions whwi 
results. have already taken place have not pointed to any general co 
elusions which may be safely accepted as guides to good farmim 
Opinions will doubtless differ as to the legitimate inferenc 
to be drawn from the awards and reports of the Judg 
but, to my mind, there is one salient feature characteristic 
all the competitions, and that is the value of green crops in t 
rotation. In each case the prizes have fallen to farmers w. 
pursue the old-fashioned four or five-course shifts, to the defi 
of those who take successive corn-corps with the aid of sti 
lating artificial manures. Even at the Liverpool competiti 
of which the Judges reported very highly, stating that the coi 
petitors possessed complete freedom of action, grew what th 
liked, and sold what they chose, this freedom was used to gn 
more grass, green crops, and early potatoes, and not successi 
crops of grain. It does not follow, however, that this will alwn 
be the case, as our knowledge of the practical and systematic i 
of artificial manures for double-cropping is as yet confined 
the experience of a comparatively small number of farmc 
The increasing value of straw, as a crop to be sold off t 
farm, is also rapidly enhancing the importance *of corn-cro 
especially in the neighbourhood of large towns. Moreov 
much weight must be allowed to the climate, not only of 1 
locality, but of the year ; and a dry year in a dry distr 
will necessarily furnish one extreme combination, and tell 
different tale from that which would be observed in a wet d 
trict in a rainy season. 
