in Nolt'niriliam^ln iT, LiriroJnfihirr, (t'r. : C/rrsso 2 and 3. 57 
pboric acid is exceptionally liigli, and there is also plenty of lime, 
and a moderate allowance of potash. In consequence of the vege- 
table matter there is an extremely high proportion of nitrogen 
in the soil. A further striking feature is the occurrence in 
considerable amount of selenite or sulphate of lime ; sharp little 
crystals of selenite are scattered throughout the soil, and here 
and there are congregated into masses. 
The drainage of the district is under the Deeping Fen 
Commissioners, but the main ditches are not considered to be 
sufficiently deep to drain the land thoroughly. This, however, 
is shortly to be remedied. A fairly wet winter is suitable for 
Mr. Cave's fen laud, which requii'es to be solidified ; but a dry 
summer suits best for the wheat crop. Land in this part of 
the fen has sunk considerably since tillage operations were 
begun upon it. 
Mr. Cave resides at Baston, a very long straggling village. 
Bourne is the nearest town, but the chief market-towns of the 
district are Stamford, ten miles, and Spalding, eleven miles 
distant. The house is old-fashioned and comfortable, stone-built, 
facing south, and abutting upon the Spalding road. The farm- 
buildings are in the form of a square, substantially built, very com- 
modious, in good order, and exceedingly well kept by the tenant. 
In the centre is a large open yard, with sheds for cattle, and 
around it are grouped five smaller sheds, together with stable, 
liarness-room, chaff-house, waggon and implement sheds. On 
the north side is a large barn and root-house, contiguous to the 
stack-yard, at the farther side of which are houses for cows and 
calves. On Mr. Cave's fen farm there is a small homestead, 
consisting of yards for cattle, and a stable, with foreman's 
cottage. These buildings are approached by a private road, half 
a mile long, leading from the Spalding road, made by Mr. Cave's 
father and kept up by the present tenant. A little expense in 
the way of fixing guttering to these buildings would be beneficial 
for the sake of the manure which is made in the yards. 
The Home Farm lies on the left-hand side of the road leading 
towards Spalding, but is very far from being compact, as it 
straggles along the roadside to a distance of a mile from the 
house ; the Fen Farm is a mile further on, or two miles from 
the homestead. This arrangement is very inconvenient, and 
most prejudicial to economical farm-management. All the 
more credit is due to the tenant who, in spite of many and 
great disadvantages, can manage so admirably in all depart- 
ments, and that not for any special occasion, but regularly 
from year to year. Not only was the farm satisfactory to 
the present Judges, but the same holding gained a prize 
