L ( xii ) 
ISssayS nnlr <lJltportS.— prizes for 1861.— All Prizes of the 
Royal Agricultural Society of England are open to general com- 
petition. Competitors will be expected to consider and discuss the 
heads enumerated. 
I. FARMING OF YORKSHIRE. 
A Special Prize of Fikty Sovereigns, offered by tbe President, 
the Earl of Powis, will be given for the best Report otk 
the Improvement in the Farming of Yorkshire since the; 
date of the last Reports in the Journal. 
II. AGRICULTURE OF HAMPSHIRE. 
Fifty Sovereigns will be given for the best Report on th© 
Agriculture of Hampshire. 
The principal geological and physical features of the county should be 
described ; the nature of the Soil and character of the Farming in its 
different districts or natural divisions ; its Live Stock ; Implements ; 
recent changes of Farm Management; Improvements lately intro- 
duced or still required; remarkable or characteristic Farms; the 
History of the New Forest should be briefly traced, and any peculiar 
customs connected with it described. 
m. DRAINAGE. 
Ten Sovereigns will be given for the best Essay on the Results, 
of Drainage at different depths on different soils as tested, 
by the wet season of 1860, including the effect of laying; 
down drained land flat, instead of following the direction 
of the ridges. 
The influence of subsoiling, as subsidiary to draining, should be taken 
into account. The effect of variations in the drainage on the crops 
should be tested by ascertaining, not estimating, the yield of th« 
several lands. A practical rule should, if possible, be deduced, 
which will follow the broad geological distinctions between strata, 
or some other definite law. 
IV. THE WINTERING OF DAIRY STOCK. 
Ten Sovereigns wdll be given for the best Essay on the best 
mode of Wintering Dairy Stock. 
