The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 519 
I have estimated the value of the present stock, and 
certainly have not in any way exaggerated prices. It shows 
that the capabilities of the farm as to the number of stock have 
more than doubled, whilst their value has increased sixfold. 
After the first inspection in January, the Judges were able to 
eliminate five competitors as practically out of the running ; 
and it was decided, in the interests of all parties, that it would 
be better to indicate to these exhibitors that no further inspec- 
tion would be made. 
For the first time in the history of Farm-prize Competition, 
the Judges were instructed to make inquiries of competitors as 
to whether they could recommend any servants as specially 
meritorious in the discharge of their duties, in order that such 
might be recommended to the Council for medals or certificates. 
This departure is in their opinion a very proper one. The 
really deserving servant would find such a distinction a valuable 
help to advancement in life ; and when it is remembered that 
some of the most successful examples of farming are by men who 
have risen from service by the honesty of their work and by their 
provident habits : any help to the really deserving must be of 
public advantage. 
Class I. — First Pbize. 
Mr. William Nunnerley, Dearnford Hall, Wliitchurch. 
Grass 127 acres 
Arable 60 „ 
Total .. .. 187 
This farm is held on a yearly agreement under the Hon. Mrs. 
Stapleton Cotton, of Park Hall, Oswestry, Salop. The agree- 
ment dates from February 20, 1879 ; and after the ordinary 
clauses as to cropping, consumption of produce, &c., the land- 
lord undertakes to expend 300/. in bones, to be supplied on or 
before May, 1879, and 470/. in improving the house and build- 
ings, and making the latter accommodate fifty cows, to provide 
shed and yard for young stock, and a Dutch barn to hold most of 
the produce. In addition to the above liberal outlay, the landlord 
contracts to supply permanent seeds for a field of 20 acres. Most 
of the grass-land has been dressed with ^ ton per acre of bones, 
from which much benefit was visible. This was followed up 
last winter by a mixture of bone-meal and superphosphate. 
The soil is a sandstone drift, of a light, and in some parts thin 
and poor character, more suitable for tillage than grass ; indeed, 
we believe that without liberal treatment and judicious grazing, 
the grass would be only second-rate. Some of the lighter tillage 
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