The  Yorkshire  Farm-Prize  Competition , 1883. 
549 
On  the  field  below  the  crag  there  is  a “ dene,”  or  what  Border 
farmers  call  a “ cleugh,”  at  the  bottom  of  which  ran  an  old  water- 
course. Only  three  years  ago  this  was  a rookery.  Mr.  Davis 
cleared  off  the  wood,  put  a twelve-inch  pipe  up  the  water-course 
and  drained  the  spongy  sides  of  the  “ dene,”  which  is  now  a 
useful  pasture  and  very  snug  shelter.  The  uneven  nature  of  the 
ground  makes  draining  difficult  work.  A good  deal  of  skill  has 
been  displayed  in  draining  those  patches  that  needed  it  and  were 
likely  to  pay.  Much  of  the  draining  has  been  done  by  the 
tenant,  but  since  the  bad  times  came,  the  landlord  has  done  a 
portion.  A part  of  the  poorest  clay-land  undrained  grows  rushes, 
which  detract  something  from  the  look  of  the  farm,  but  this 
proves  that  profit  is  not  sacrificed  for  the  sake  of  appearances. 
2.  Productiveness  of  Crops. — Hay,  of  which  54  acres  is  grown, 
is  the  only  crop  on  the  farm  except  what  is,grown  in  the  garden. 
When  we  visited  the  farm  in  July,  cutting  had  not  commenced  ; 
the  weather  was  unsettled,  or  a start  would  have  been  made. 
Mr.  Davis  has  since  reported  that  the  hay  was  all  secured  by  the 
7th  of  August,  the  quality  being  first-rate,  and  has  not  been  so 
well  got  for  years.  The  crop  is,  however,  under  the  average. 
3.  Goodness  and  Suitability  of  Live-Stock. — As  has  already  been 
stated,  this  is  Mr.  Davis’s  forte. 
The  following  is  a list  of  the  animals  on  Holme  House  in 
spring  and  summer  : — 
List  of  Stock,  30th  April , 1883. 
Sheep. 
24  Gimmer  Hoggs. 
5 Earns. 
1 Tup  Hog*. 
20  Ewes,  geld  and  without  lambs, 
through  abortion. 
173  Ewes,  with  240  lambs  sucking. 
42  Ewes  to  Lamb. 
265 
Cattle. 
7 Autumn-bred  Bull  and  Heifer 
Calves 
1 Spring-bred  Bull  Calf. 
4 Spring-bred  Heifer  Calves. 
1 Yearling  Bull. 
18  Two-year-old  Heifers,  in  calf. 
20  Cows,  bulled  to  calve  during  the 
autumn. 
39  Heifers  and  Cows,  for  feeding 
during  the  summer. 
12  Highland  Heifers,  ditto. 
List  of  Stock,  1 1th  July,  1883. 
Shiep. 
23  Gimmer  Shearli  lgs. 
5 Earns. 
1 Tup  Shearling. 
20  Ewes,  geld. 
213  Ewes,  with  275  La  nbs. 
262 
Cattle. 
7 Winter  Calves. 
5 Spring  Calves. 
1 Yearling  Bull. 
20  Heifers,  bulled  and  for  bulling. 
21  Cows,  bulled  to  calve  in  the 
autumn. 
1 Heifer,  due  to  calve. 
12  Scotch  Heifers,  for  feeding. 
37  Heifers  and  Cows,  for  feeding. 
I 104 
102 
