528 Rejiort on the Farm Prize Competition in 
circumstances would, it was felt, have afflicted the flock-masters 
of other localities. Kightly or wrongly, the advantage was put 
down in favour of the Lincoln breed of sheep, if it is advisable 
to keep them in that particular way. Almost entire reliance is \ 
placed by the larger and lighter land farmers in their flocks, i 
whether grazing or feeding, rather than in their herds, and ewes 
and lambs were frequently seen upon grass gi'ounds which had 
the appearance of being fit for something better. 
Amongst all the peculiarities of soil and system which have j 
now been slightly and imperfectly sketched, it will not be thought I 
likely that there are many important farming practices peculiar i 
to the whole, or the greater part of the county, as compared 
with the practices of others. One such, however, it is believed 
has been observed, in pursuing which Lincolnshire farmers are j 
not only at variance with most, if not all, of their next-door j 
neighbours, but in particular with the custom — and even the ! 
most notable of all the customs — of the county of Notts, which 
will be next considered. The peculiarity in question is the very 
unusually large proportion of stubble ground which is annually 
sown to common white or soft turnips, to the great neglect of i 
the undoubtedly far more valuable swede turnips, and other 
roots. The Judges in Class 1. drove through whole districts | 
where not a swede was to be seen. ! 
Now it is proverbially recognised amongst competent and j 
observant farmers that immense respect should invariably be | 
shown by a stranger to local customs in other counties, however j 
they may di{Fer from his own, since he will find them, when put j 
to the proof, almost if not quite always to be soundly developed | 
from a long series of accumulated and transmitted experiences. 
In the particular matter to be noticed, however, it may perhaps 
be allowable, under the friendly wing of more competent author- , 
ities, to indulge in a little scepticism. One of the authorities I 
in question is Sir James Caird, who in writing of the Wold 1 
farming in 1851 points to this rejection of the swede turnips ^ 
as a great defect, and compares the consequences with those , 
from its very successful cultivation upon similar land, enjoying 
almost the same climate. Like opinions have been expressed , 
by other writers, and, in the course of our rounds, by a very good ' 
Lincolnshire farmer who has learned the value of the swede I 
elsewhere. Sir James and others added their belief that Lin- 
colnshire men have seen their mistake, and are gradually con- 
forming their practice to that of neighbouring counties, where 
the swede turnip is regarded as their very sheet-anchor. But 
as far as their limited opportunities of observation and inquiry 
served the Judges, there was little enough to justify the suppo- j 
