The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 
537 
high value for the whey, bearing in mind the great difference in 
the food of the animals ; for whilst in one case the outlay for 
purchased food and manure is under 18s. an acre, in the other 
it reaches the extraordinary total of 3/. 9*. an acre, by which a 
much heavier stock is kept per acre of land, and the produce is 
undoubtedly richer. Both are very largely above the average, 
and such practice may well be carefully considered by dairy- 
farmers in detail, and by the farming community in general, as 
indicating lines in which British Agriculture may hope to face 
the future, viz., by increasing the quantity of grass-land, and 
keeping more breeding and rearing stock. 
Class I. — Highly Commended. 
Mr. Charles Holme, Burley Fields and Hill Farms, Stafford. 
A. R. P. 
Grass 252 1 14 
Arable 162 1 8 
Total 414 2 22 
This farm is held on yearly tenure under Lord Stafford. 
Much of the land is a strong tenacious clay. The grass-land is 
mostly of good quality, suitable for dairy purposes, and much of 
the produce is sent to Stafford, one mile distant, where it is re- 
tailed by Mr. Holme. There are two sets of buildings, as nine 
years ago the occupation was increased by the addition of another 
farm. Two years since the buildings of the latter were entirely 
destroyed by fire, and were rebuilt principally on Mr. Holme's 
designs. Both are so well arranged that we reproduce them 
(Figs. 3 and 4, pp. 538 and 543). 
Special attention should be directed to the excellent accom- 
modation for young stock in the centre of the square (Fig. 3) ; 
the covered and open spaces allow of shelter and exercise, and 
the feeding passage down the centre of the covered part is 
economical of food and labour. The cowhouses, which are 
roomy and well arranged in connection with the food-supply, 
accommodate 36 animals, besides two calf-houses, bull's-house, 
&c. At the north-east corner of the building are the mixing- 
house, turnip store, and engine house, with hayloft over ; and 
outside, but communicating, an open court for the reception 
and preservation of grains, which are largely used. The court 
is divisible by movable wooden partitions into three compart- 
2 N 2 
