Somersetshire Farm-Prize Competition, 1875. 56-5 
Second Prize Farm. 
CaptON Farm, near Williton, occupied by Mr. Alfred 
Bowerman, to which the Judges awarded the Second Prize in 
Class III., comprises 182 acres of arable land and 83 acres of 
pasture, making a total of 265 acres. 
Position and Geology. — Mr. Bowerman's farm lies about two 
miles south of Williton, which is within a short distance of 
Watchet, on the Bristol Channel. It is situated on high 
ground on the west of the Quantock Hills, and adjacent to the 
Western Hill district proper. It may be described as being 
equidistant some two miles from the base of the Quantocks and 
the end of Brendon Hill, which runs at right angles to that 
range. The land undulates considerably. A portion which is 
all arable is three-quarters of a mile distant from the homestead, 
and is of a heavier nature than the remainder of the farm. It 
is a strong loam, the marl being to some extent intermixed 
with the lighter sand of the new red sandstone, upon which 
formation the farm rests. Most of the other land is a sandy 
loam. 
Climate. — The climate [is tolerably good, but facing north 
to north-east towards the Bristol Channel the occupation is 
somewhat subject to north-easterly gales, which at times prove 
damaging to the orchard and crops. 
ji The district is not so early as Taunton Vale by ten days ; and 
the rainfall is not so great as in the neighbourhod of Bristol and 
Ilminster, the heights of Brendon and the Quantocks probably 
attracting and arresting many of the showers. Mr. White, of 
Williton, has kindly furnished the results of his registration for 
the past two and a half-years, which show the average rainfall at 
that place to have been about 23 inches for the year. 
Tenure and Local Customs. — The farm is held on a 14 years' 
lease, which commenced in 1870. Mr. Bowerman's parents 
previously occupied it ; their tenancy having commenced in the 
year 1850. There is no tenant-right by custom or covenant. 
The provisions of the lease are of an obsolete character, but 
would to some extent accord with the existing local customs of 
the neighbourhood. The tenancy commences at jNIichaelmas. 
The incoming tenant has a right of pre-entry any time subse- 
quent to Christmas. He can sow the proportion of land to be 
laid down with young seeds, cultivate that for root crops and 
sow it, throw up farmyard-manure in the yards, and apply it on 
the clovers for wheat. 
The outgoing tenant may retain a portion of the buildings for 
threshing his grain, and for consuming hay and straw, until the 
Lady Day succeeding the expiration of the tenancy, or he can 
dispose of the same to the incomer at consuming price. All the 
