556 Iteport on the Farm Prize Compeiition in 
It has been more than once, and veiy naturally, suggested 
that the good roots of the Messrs. Machin must have been 
largely due to an excess of rainfall in their district over that of 
others. The rainfall of the summer months of 1887 ia the 
neighbourhood of Papplewick was therefore requested of Mr. 
J. D. Walker, of Bulwell, and most obligingly furnished ; a 
similar record has been also obtained from Appleby, Leaden- 
ham, and Harston, or their neighbourhood, by the kindness of 
the competitors at those places. In each of these three latter 
districts, there was more or less difficulty in securing a plant of 
swedes in consequence of the drought, partly perhaps because of 
later sowing. 
Particula/rs of Rainfall from April 1887 to Septeniber 1887. 
In neighbourhood of 
Papplewick 
. Applebj- 
neur Brigg 
Leitdenhatn 
Harston 
Indies 
• Inches 
Inches 
Inches 
April .... 
1-08 . 
]a2 
•81 
1-05 
May 
1-42 
1-40 
1-76 
l-8".l 
June 
•39 
■04 
•27 
-.57 
July 
1-39 
1-44 
1-36 
1-01 
August .... 
1-58 
1-46 
•60 
1^43 
September . . 
2-43 
2-51 
202 
! 
2-70 
Before quite taking leave of the Messrs. Machin, it may 
perhaps be allowed to anticipate a remark which other Judges 
have heard before, namely, that it is the self-supporting farms 
which should be encouraged. That is, those, presumably, where 
the stock are bred and reared as well as fed upon them ; and the 
present Judges would have been glad to have been able to do it. 
They, however, believe first of all in the men who most success- 
fully adapt their practice to their situation, rather than their 
situation to any preconceived notions of correct practice. After 
all, surely it is the banking account which requires support, and 
if any one can tell the Messrs. Machin how to improve it by 
other practice than that which they now pursue, it may be con- 
fidently predicted that they will be found both able and willing 
to adopt it. 
A sketch of the principal features of the prize farms has now 
been traced, but there are such very strong points of merit in the 
management of some of the less successful competitors, wliich 
would have been well worthy of a prize in the absence of any- 
thing better, that they cannot be passed by unnoticed. 
Commended Farms. 
The occupation of Mr. Robert G. F. Hoivard, of Temple Bnier, 
gives much evidence of first-class management. It was about 
