Narthumb&rland and Durham in 1887 ; Glasses 4 and 5. 229 
provocation," said the tenant ; adding, " In hot weather we are 
afraid to light a pipe on it." There were 22 acres of oats and 
barley, 11 of turnips, 37 of mowing and 8^ in pasture, 2 active 
compact farm horses and 25 milking cows. 
Mr. James Thomsons farm, Whitchester, lay across the 
country, 9 miles distant from Newcastle, on the line of the old 
Eoman road, which pursues its ancient course straight on very 
distinctly for 20 miles further. This farm is 400 feet above sea 
level, and has all kinds of soil and subsoil upon it, and nearly 
every possible aspect and condition. It was taken on lease for 
14 3'ears four years ago, in a very rough state, by the present 
tenant, and has been gi-eatly improved in many ways since then. 
But though much has been done, much still requires doing. The 
landlord has contributed to many permanent improvements, and 
the tenant has made a large outlay upon the farm in draining 
and in arrangements to economise labour. It argues the posses- 
sion of rare enterprise, sound judgment, and great industry in 
both Mr. and Mrs. Thomson, to see them trying to make their 
outlay and cultivation pay, as well as promise to pay. They 
were growing 34 acres of turnips, 66 of corn, and 50 of clover. 
They had 255 acres in pasture, and keep 8 horses, 56 store 
cattle, 100 breeding ewes and their lambs, besides 38 milch 
cows. All the work of the farm is: done in a practical manner. 
Mr. Joseph Lambert's farm, Whickham, is the least in extent 
of the six. It is situated 4 miles west of Newcastle, and is 
a fine example of what family co-operation can do in making a 
small farm profitable. It has only 11 milch cows on it, but 
upwards of lOOL is expended annually in cake and feeding stuffs' 
for them ; 400 loads of manure and 60 of gas lime are put upon 
the land ; about 10 acres are put into potatoes and turnips, 22 
corn, and 28 hay. The soil is fairly good, but lies on an open 
stony subsoil. Its situation and the roads to it do not facilitate 
its management, but the farm wears an improving look and 
challenges complaint. The tenant richly deserves a better farm. 
Management of Cattle and of Milk by Competitors. 
Mr. Stephen Fairbairn had his milking cows standing in 
single row in two byres, 20 in one and 15 in the other. They 
were nearly all well-bred Shorthorns of a good milking type. 
About a third of them had been reared on the place, the others 
were purchased as calving cows. The practice was to feed all 
well, rear calves from the best milkers for future stock, milk the 
others as long as they give a fair quantity, and then sell as beef. 
The cows were kept very clean, and their byres were swept and 
rinsed daily with water. They had hay given them twice a day, 
