512 
The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 
way of maintaining fertility is by the free use of cake or 
other suitable artificial food. 
It is not only in the matter of laying down land to grass 
that landlords have entered into, and apparently understood, 
modern requirements. We were greatly pleased with the general 
character of the farm buildings, not only on the farms entered 
for competition, but throughout the localities we visited. I 
may describe them as convenient, substantial, and generally 
adequate to requirements. In only one instance did we see 
buildings entirely covered in, viz., those at Mr. Marston's farm 
at Brampton Brian, which, though erected many years since — 
viz., in 1868 — when requirements were less understood, were 
excellently arranged and greatly appreciated by the tenant, who 
did not find that the protection thus afforded to his well-bred 
Herefords rendered them more delicate or less able to thrive in 
that somewhat exposed country. Though the covering of the 
yards is not yet in fashion, as we believe it must eventually 
become, yet in all modern additions the necessity for deep 
shelter sheds is fully recognised, and the importance of preserving 
manure as much as possible from the washing of rainfall by 
having buildings well spouted, and by utilising the drainings 
of the yards when the lie of the land allows of surface irrigation, 
were all matters of consideration. Without being invidious, 
I may notice as especially creditable as regards equipments 
the estates of Earl Brownlow, some of whose homesteads verge 
on the extravagant. Earl Powis, the Dukes of Sutherland and 
Cleveland, Lord Stafford, Sir Thomas Bough ey, and The 
Honourable Mrs. Cotton. It is quite certain that, where the 
owner takes an interest in his property or is represented by a 
practical man of business, who knows what is wanted at the 
present day, and how the outlay can be made that shall benefit 
all parties, tenants are encouraged to spend their money and 
take a pride in doing justice to the land. 
I may preface a few introductory remarks by a comparison 
of the returns of live-stock in 1868 and 1883, from which the 
increase of horned stock and the decrease of sheep will be 
evident : — 
Shropshire. 
Staffordshire. 
Hereford. 
1868. 
1883. 
1868. 
1883. 
1868. 
1883. 
Cattle .. 
120,786 
143,651 
125,046 
137,402 
71,181 
81,978 
Sheep .. 
519,539 
342,486 
365,945 
225,576 
380,607 
270,463 
rigs .. 
61,220 
69,501 
53,788 
54,180 
28,942 
31,691 
