The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 
533 
4 Waggon Horses. 
2 „ Colts broken 
1 Cob Pony. 
1 Nas: 
Horses. 
January. May. 
6 Waggon Horses (2 years). 
1 Cob Pony. 
1 Hack. 
The arable land is chiefly worked on a four-course shift, 
which is, however, not rigidly adhered to. Roots are usually 
all carted off, in order to supply the requirements of a heavy 
stock of cattle, although the land is quite suitable for feeding 
on with sheep, and the cost of hauling both roots off, and extra 
manure back to some of the more distant fields must be a serious 
expense. It is quite certain that at least one- third of the crop, 
which has been produced at such a heavy cost, might with 
advantage be consumed on the ground by sheep. The swedes, 
from seed obtained from a grower in Somersetshire, were regular 
and very heavy. The average yield of cereal crops as given us 
is : Black Oats, 50 to 80 bushels (the latter return being from 
land recently broken up) ; Wheat, 35 bushels of 60 lbs. ; Barley, 
40 to 46 bushels of 56 lbs. These are large returns, and prove 
the condition and quality of the soil, especially when it is 
understood that the outlay in purchased foods and manures is 
under 18*. an acre. 
To descend to particulars : — We found the clovers and seeds 
generally a good plant. Those for hay promising a fair yield, 
especially if soon favoured with rain. In a piece of 12 acres 
were two-year-old seeds, in which were the ewes and singles, 
a capital lot. This field had been dressed with 4 cwt. of mineral 
phosphate and 50 lbs. of nitrate of soda. As the land is rather 
strong, and not very near the buildings, it is under considera- 
tion not to plough this again, in which case, renovating-seeds 
would be applied, and there is every prospect of a good sward 
being established. Another field of 10 acres seeds, grazed by 
ewes and double lambs, without extra food ; a good plant. 
A large field which was laid for hay after having been heavily 
grazed in the spring, followed by a dressing of 2 cwt. per acre 
of Liebig's manure, was promising and produced a heavy crop. 
All the grass seeds were supplied by Messrs. Carter and Co. 
A field by the house which was formerly a rough and sour 
pasture, broken up by permission three years ago, and sown 
with black oats, yielded very heavy crops. As at present 
arranged, it is to be relaid after a course of crops, but con- 
sidering the light nature of the soil, which is unsuitable for 
grass, and the proximity to the buildings, we expressed a 
strong opinion that it would be much better to keep down 
instead the 12-acre piece of two-year-old seeds, as proposed. 
