576 Somersetshire Farm-Prize Competition, 1875. 
or from 16s. per acre in 1850 to 32s. %d. in 1874. The alteration 
in the three years ending 1874 is very marked, the cost of labour 
being 22s. per acre in 1872, and 32s. 6cZ. per acre in 1874. 
Manures and Food Pukchasbd. 
Manures Purchased. 
Tears. 
Nitrate of 
Soda. 
Bone 
Manure. 
Total. 
£ 
£ 
£ 
1872 
45 
115 
160 
1873 
68 
122 
190 
1874 
54 
96 
150 
Corn and CaJce. 
£ 
1872 .... 520 
1873 .... 612 
1874 .... 850 
Permanent Improvements. 
£ 
Outlay on buildings .... 300 
Drainage, &c., on land .... 200 
£500 
The third inspection, on July 10th, proved the promises of the 
spring to be fully realised. The clovers and pastures were all 
that were expected. The hay harvest was just completed after a 
tedious time. The mangolds were making great progress. The 
swedes were mostly ready for hoeing, and the common turnips just 
put in. The grain crops were heavy, the wheat being slightly 
lodged in one or two places and tinged more or less with red- 
rust, but to no greater extent than was the case in most of the 
other wheat crops inspected in the county. The barley was 
very long in the straw and good in the head, but rather too 
much inclined to go down ; and it is our opinion that such 
heavy dressings of nitrate of soda as were this year applied 
might with advantage be diminislied if not altogether dis- 
continued. The quantity of grain and meat produced from this 
farm by sustained good management reflects great credit on the 
tenant. The character of his live stock is also very superior, 
and the Judges had no hesitation in awarding Mr. Bowerman 
the second prize offered by the Society in Class III. 
