292 Experiences of the Severe Winter of 1890-91. 
with a lighter requisition on the hap'icks than is generally the 
case ; hence a larger quantity of old hay of good quality was 
left over with which to begin the winter of 1890-91. The 
abundant and well-saved straw crop of 1890 was profitably 
utilised as prepared food, instead of, as formerly, trampled 
into manure in open yards. Another great advantage to the 
stock farmer was the low price of cereals and other auxiliary 
foods. The loss of the turnip crop caused to be sent to the 
butcher many young animals in forward condition which under 
ordinarj"- circumstances would have been kept for two or three 
months longer, thereby not only increasing the output of meat 
but adding to the profits of the farmer. The depressed times 
have taught men the value of economy, and the more general 
practice which now obtains on the best fanns of preparing the 
fodder and other foods is resulting in greater economy, so that in 
April there was still on most farms a fair quantity ofthe hay crop 
of 1890, though generally of inferior qiiality. The most conclusive 
argument as to the stocks is the rate of prices in the market ; 
the best quality of hay has reached, but not exceeded, 41. per ton 
delivered. 
The use of meals and other feeding stuffs is still on the 
increase. Many cases have come under my notice where a yearly 
outlay of 40s. to 50,s\ per acre over the gross acreage of the farm 
was incurred during the cycle of low prices. Even on mixed 
farms, on the average an extra outlay of 15s. per acre has been 
made on the purchase of ai'tificial foods. We do not recollect a 
more protracted or severe winter, lasting as it did without 
intermission to the end of April, and yet we have often seen the 
stock of the dairy districts in much lower condition at May Day. 
It will probably interest the reader to place before him a 
detailed account of the management of a farm of 58G acres, 
only 24 acres of which are now in tillage, part of the old pas- 
tures being second-rate feeding land, and the I'emainder ofthe old 
pastures good store land : 117 acres have been laid down since 
1885. The cropping for 1890 was 10 acres cereals and 14 acres 
mangel and cabbage, whilst 130 acres of grass land were mown. 
Tlic number of stock on the farm during tlie winter of 1890-91 
was 270 liead of cattle of all ages. The hay and straw are chaffed, 
and the chaff" is mixed with meals, pulped roots, and silage. 
Moss litter and uneatable straw alone are used as bedding. All 
cattle are tied up, excepting calves. The tillage land is strong, 
so the farmyard manure is applied to the land for the root crop. 
During the autumn the winter-made manure is applied as made 
to the young grass and poor pastures. In addition to a liberal 
