Report on the Farm-Prize Competition of 1885. 
585 
Class II. — Second Prize, £15. 
Mr. Richard Erode, Banks, South port. 
A. ]!. V. 
Arable 71 2 8 
Grass li) 0 0 
Total . . . . 90 2 « 
This farm lies on the coast, which is here very flat ; the land 
is very little above the sea-level, and there is an embankment 
which forms its north-western boundary, over which the sea 
occasionally washes. The whole character of this coast is flat 
fen land, and almost the only fences are water-ditches of about 
five feet in width and four deep. 
The land is held under trustees of the late C. Scarisbrick, 
Esq., on yearly agreement, at a rent of 190/., and tithe, 17Z. 
There are no restrictions as to cultivation. The tenant has held 
the farm for 34 years, and, without any offence, we may say that 
it apparently agrees with him ; and Mrs. Brade, his wife, was 
born here. 
The farm buildings are new, convenient, and sufficient; 
there is a Aery good byre for IG cows, and good stables and 
outhouses. 
The farm lies 5 miles N.E. of Southport, and about 14 S.W. 
of Preston. 
Live-Stock, an important item on this farm, is as follows : — 
Horses . . 1 Shire mare, with colt foal, by "Adam," 6 years old. 
1 Black Shire mare, 11 years old. 
1 Grey gelding, 5 years old. 
1 Black pony, for the milk cart. 
1 Useful bay gelding, rising three years. 
1 Roan entire colt, rising two years. 
1 Chestnut yearling filly. 
All the above are very good, especially the brood mare which 
was entered for the Preston Show. 
Cattle — 16 Half-bred Shorthorn cows. 
These were a remarkably good lot, and in very high con- 
dition ; they were bought just ready to calve, and the calves 
are sold as soon as they are born, at about 21. a-head. 
No bull is used ; the cows are milked and fed off. 
Milk is retailed in Southport twice a-day for three summer 
months at 2\d. a quart, and for nine months 2^d. a quart ; and 
on an average brings in about 10/. a-week. 
VOL. XXI. — S. 8. 2 Q 
