The  Yorkshire  Farm-Prize  Competition  1883. 
565 
A large  revenue  is  no  doubt  derived  from  selling  animals  at 
what  are  called  fancy  prices. 
This  may  be  called  Speculation,  and  not  farming  ; but  it 
only  affords  additional  proof  of  profound  judgment  and  careful 
general  management. 
Is  the  system  pursued  on  this  farm  one  to  be  held  up  as  a 
model  to  British  farmers  ? is  a question  that  has  been  asked. 
We  must  leave  our  readers  to  answer  it,  each  in  his  own 
way.  This  much  is  certain,  that  the  foundations  of  the  success 
achieved  at  Manor  House — which  are  knowledge,  judgment, 
perseverance,  and  indomitable  energy — are  worthy  of  universal 
imitation. 
Class  II. — Second  Phize. 
Mr.  J.  Watson,  Wood  House,  Brough,  East  Yorkshire. 
Wood  House  Farm  is  situated  in  the  East  Riding,  on  the 
lower  part  of  the  Wolds,  about  eight  miles  west  of  Hull. 
The  house,  which  is  a square  modern  structure  resembling 
a merchant’s  suburban  villa,  stands  on  rising  ground  about 
a quarter  of  a mile  from  the  Cottingham  turnpike-road,  and 
is  approached  by  a private  road,  lined  on  each  side  by  most 
perfectly  kept  hedges,  of  which  more  hereafter. 
The  farm  comprises  600  acres,  of  which  450  acres  are  arable 
and  the  remainder  pasture  land.  It  belongs  to  the  trustees  of 
C.  P.  Sykes,  Esq.,  of  Ray  well  Hall,  a beautiful  residence  on  this 
estate,  the  grounds  of  which  lie  close  up  to  this  farm,  and  is 
occupied  by  Mr.  Barkworth,  who  has  also  the  sporting  rights 
over  the  estate.  It  is  usually  most  trying  to  hold  a farm  upon 
an  estate  on  which  the  game  is  let  to  a third  party.  Notwith- 
standing, however,  the  fact  that  an  immense  number  of  pheasants 
are  reared  on  the  skirts  of  Wood  House  farm,  the  relations 
between  Mr.  Barkworth  and  Mr.  Watson  are  of  the  most  cordial 
character. 
Mr.  Watson  has  occupied  Wood  House  since  1876.  He  at 
present  holds  four  other  farms,  containing,  in  the  aggregate, 
about  700  acres  of  arable  and  160  acres  of  pasture  land.  He 
has  besides  recently  given  up  to  his  two  sons  each  a large  farm 
fully  stocked  and  in  working  condition. 
The  soil  of  this  farm,  which  rests  on  the  Chalk,  is  light  and 
naturally  dry  ; draining  is  therefore  unknown.  Though  not 
hilly,  the  surface  is  undulating. 
Excellent  riding-stables,  harness-room,  and  coach-house,  are 
passed  on  the  way  from  the  house  to  the  steading.  The  accom- 
modation for  the  stock  is  arranged  with  a view  to  the  quickest 
method  of  getting  straw  made  into  manure  ; for  this  reason  the 
