86 
Report on the Farm Prize Competition 
Class 3. — Highly Commended Farms. 
Slrithfield Farm, Alfreton, Stretton, Derhyshire, occupied by 
Mr. Arthur Milner, senior. 
The farm of Stritlifiekl, near Alfreton and Claycross, Derby- 
shire, occupied by Mr. j\Iilner, was highly commended. To this 
farm, under the same occupancy, in 1881, was awarded the First 
Prize for small dairy farms at the Derby Show of the Royal Agri- 
cultural Society — a sufficient indication that the good manage- 
ment found therein is habitual. Strithfield Farm adjoins the 
Derby and Chesterfield road, is seventeen miles north from 
Derby, six south of Chesterfield, the market town, and one mile 
from Claycross, a village containing 3,000 inhabitants, and sur- 
rounded by large coal and iron works. The Midland Railway 
passes through the farm, and there is a station at Stretton. 
The farm, with the exception of 6 acres which belong to 
Mr. Milner himself, is owned by Mr. W. G. Turbutt, J.P., of 
Ogston Hall, Alfreton. Of 87 a. 1 r. 19 p., there are about 
40 a. 3r. 19 p. arable, and 44 a. 2 r. grass-land. Mr. Milner 
was born on the farm, and has been tenant for 20 years, having 
succeeded his father, who entered on the holding at Lady-day 
1832. It is held on a yearly tenure, with six months' notice to 
quit on either side. It is not under the Agricultural Holdings 
Act. except that compensation can be claimed under that Act, 
and by the custom of the district, for cake ^ and ^, draining 
done by the tenant on a two years' principle, full value for ^ of 
the hay and straw of the previous year's produce, and for manure 
made from that year's crops. Hay and straw may be sold by 
one tenant to another on the estate, but not to others except by 
permission. Allowance is made for manures bought, for lime, 
Ijones, &c., on a two or three years' principle. Every farmer on 
the estate is allowed to crop as he pleases, and is not interfered 
with so long as he farms well. 
The rent of the land occupied by Mr. Milner is 99^., to which 
it was raised from BIZ. 4s. ten years since. His own land is 
valued at 101., making a total of 109L, or about 25s. per acre. 
Tithes, poor rates, sanitary, school and water rates are paid by 
the tenant, amounting in all with the rent to 1371. 10s. 4cZ., or 
11. lis. Id. per acre. 
There are 12 acres of light land on the farm very easily 
worked, and capable of growing almost any kind of crop; but 
upon the greater portion of the farm the soil is very heavy, more 
adapted for growing wheat than oats. It is so adhesive that in 
autumn the footprints of horses will hold water like a basin, 
