540 Somersetshire Farm-Prize Competition, 1875. 
Stout wire rope, probably from tlie collieries, has been run through 
most of the old hedges adjoining or intersecting the grass fields, 
which would present formidable obstacles to sportsmen. 
Ponds have been made and thoughtfully arranged to supply 
the grass fields, one pond usually being available for two fields. 
A good main road intersects the farm, and a by-lane bounds 
part of the western side : but the repair of these does not come 
within the province of the tenant. Xo other made roads have 
been formed, the farm being too straggling to arrange them ; 
but general neatness is everywhere apparent, and could not well 
be excelled. 
Manures and Food purchased. — The annual outlay in pur- 
chased foods, irrespective of that consumed by horses, amounts 
to the large sum of GOO/. ; this includes 15/. for grains for the 
milking cows, the rest being corn, linseed- and cotton-cakes. 
Artificial manures, chiefly superphosphate, cost 221. annually. 
Cottages and Labour, and Permanent Improvement. — There are 
no cottages attached to the holding. The weekly wages for 
laboureis now amounts to los., the hours of labour being from 
5.30 A.M. to 6 P. 31. They have increased from lis. per week 
in 1865. The workmen are allowed 1^ pint of cider per day, 
with a largely increased quantity in harvest. 
Women are employed on the farm and for milking. Their 
hours are from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M., and the daily payment is lOrf. 
Milking is paid for extra, at the rate of 6f/. each time. Four 
women assist at this work. q,. 
The Labour Bill on the Farm during the last nine Years, showing 
an average for the four years, 1866, 1867, 1868, and 1869, when 
the weekly wage was lis. and 12s., of 25s. per acre; and for the 
five following years, during which time they rose to 15s. weekly 
(with liquor) of 30s. per acre, and an increase from 21s. 4(7. per acre 
in 1866 to 32s. 6fZ. in 1874. 
Year. 
Cash paid to 
lien on Farm 
Account. 
Hire of 
Threshing 
Machine. 
Wages and 
keep of 
Dairymaid. 
Tot;il. 
1866 
£ 
177 
s. 
19 
d. 
3 
£ 
5 
£ 
27 
£ 
209 
«. d. 
19 3 
1867 
203 
15 
3 
5 
27 
235 
15 
3 
1868 
257 
9 
4 
5 
27 
289 
9 
4 
18G9 
233 
6 
1 
5 
27 
205 
6 
1 
1870 
237 
13 
7 
5 
27 
269 
13 
7 
1871 
240 
1 
4 
5 
27 
272 
1 
4 
1872 
255 
7 
1 
5 
27 
287 
7 
1 
1873 
270 
9 
1 
5 
27 
.302 
9 
1 
1874 
290 
8 
7 
5 
27 
322 
s 
7 
