Report on the Farm-Prize Competition q/"1885. 563 
drain the farm, where it required it, entirely at his own ex- 
pense. This, and a great deal more, has been done, including 
a substantial set of entirely new oak gates and gateposts, 
painted, and well set up. 
Besides the above landlord's improvements, the tenant has 
done an immense deal during his short occupation, partly with 
the assistance of his landlord (as in the case of new fences, the 
landlord finding quicks and rails, and the tenant the labour), 
and partly at his own expense entirely. 
Everything done either by the landlord or the tenant, or by 
both together, has been done in the best and most workmanlike 
manner possible, reflecting great credit on all concerned. There is 
a very large head of ground-game on this farm, especially hares, 
for which the tenant blames the keepers ; also a large head of 
winged game. Some five or six game-preserves are either upon 
or adjoining the land in this occupation, and altogether it is 
surprising how such a great length of young quick fences can 
flourish as they do in the midst of so many enemies. I counted 
over thirty-five hares in sight at one time in one field. 
Nevertheless, the fences on this farm are remarkably strong 
and good ; and by dint of careful attention in stimulating a 
rapid growth, by the application of sawdust-manure (which also 
retains moisture on the surface), and by keeping them perfectly 
clean, and also in liming the bottoms of the young fences, 
the hares are in a great measure defeated. In some places, 
however, they would take no denial, and there the young quicks 
had been a good deal punished in consequence. Mr. Sherwin 
has just erected in his stackyard a very excellent and com- 
modious hay-shed, 26 yards by 23 yards, carried on 19-foot 
wrought-iron pillars ; this building cost the tenant 250/., and 
looks a great deal for the money. It is formed of three parallel 
spans, the outside ones being each 8 yards and the central span 
covering 7 yards, with an open overlap on the adjoining spans, 
on to which the water is discharged and carried away by the 
spouts attached to the inner side of the outside span. The whole 
is spouted, and the roof is formed by semicircular spans of 22 
gauge corrugated iron, and presents a very imposing appearance. 
The system of farming consists in selling almost all the hay 
into Manchester, and bringing manure back. Potatoes are 
grown for sale on a considerable acreage, and there is, besides, a 
large ofF-put of corn annually. 
The dairy of 30 cows is kept to supply a retail new-milk 
trade with Altrincham ; Z^d. a quart being the price obtained 
for winter, and M. for summer milk. 
All the heifer-calves are reared, and the bull-calves sold at 
3Z. a-head, for breeding purposes, as soon as they are dropped. 
