Somersetshire Farm-Prize Competition, 1875. 539 
May. The apparently large area of 1^ acre of grass is allotted 
ito each cow for the summer, irrespective of the herd having the 
run of the aftermath when it is ready for grazing. Together 
Avith the hay consumed, therefore, each cow requires somewhere 
iibout 2^ acres of the Tunley grass land for her yearly main- 
Itenance. Cheese-making commences the first week in March, 
ihefore which fresh butter alone is produced. The cows are 
(lot allowed to remain on the same pasture for more than four 
•ir five, consecutive days. 
Sheep. — 100 breeding ewes have been hitherto purchased in 
)ct()ber. They are cross-bred, but have a preponderance of 
':^ampshi^e blood. Having been run with the ram in the month 
)f August, they are bought in lamb. The flock is not allowed 
0 be much on the grass land, except for a short time, about the 
ambing season. The ewes and lambs have, as a rule, been all 
ed and sold before the advent of the next year's purchase, the 
)ractice having been to draft them gradually off the green crops 
s they grew ripe. The lambs have generally been disposed of, 
herefore, from three to four months old ; but for the future a 
lew policy will be adopted, and they will be weaned at the 
)eginning of June, and have their cake and corn gradually 
ncreased, until they are sold fat as yearlings off the roots. After 
'he Iambs are Aveaned, the ewes are pushed forward, and disposed 
f in the autumn when fat. 
It is intended to increase the flock from 100 to 150 breeding- 
wes. 
Pigs. — Ten black Berkshire sows are kept. A white boar, 
f Duckering's breed, is used for crossing. About 120 fat pigs, 
be produce of the above, are turned off in the course of the 
ear. They are sold as they reach the weight of 10 score each, 
le value per pound decreasing after exceeding that size. The 
igs are kept in a feeding state from the time of their birth till 
)ld off. No straw is used for littering them ; the floor of 
le piggery is paved with hard bricks, and by thorough cleanli- 
oss its use is dispensed with. The economizing of straw is 
n important inatter, on account of the limited acreage of arable 
ind in proportion to the large herd of dairy cows. Sawdust 
sometimes used to supplement the straw for litter. 
Fences, Roads, and General Neatness. — The outlay made by 
le tenant in removing old fences and levelling ditches, &c., 
1 the pastures, has already been alluded to. The remaining 
d Somersetshire hedges have had their banks much diminished, 
at can never be made good. Quick-set hedges do not appear 
) thrive on this farm. The boundary along the main road 
a solidly-built lias-stone wall. The new fences across the 
istures are of strong wire, and present a neat appearance, 
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