The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 545 
which was chiefly on strong land, had not maintained its early 
promise, and was not so good as we expected, rather spindly, and 
had evidently been checked by late frosts. 1 may here notice that 
in early days marl was very freely used, as is evidenced by the 
fact of a marl-pit existing in nearly every field. This was when 
wheat paid the rent. The land is naturally much too strong to 
be improved by being made stronger. j\Ir. Holme has liberty 
as to growth and sale, but sticks pretty closely to a four-course 
rotation. The strong land, except when fallowed, is kept in 
butts of 8 feet wide, which allows of work with the minimum 
of treading, and ensures that water shall not lie on the surface. 
Land is never cross-ploughed, which would be ruinous. So 
retentive is the surface that under-drainage is of very little use, 
and the whole secret of success is in the narrow lands allowing of 
the rapid escape of water. Winter-ploughing is done with four 
powerful horses in line. Wheat is always sown broadcast, red 
varieties being preferred. Manure made on the farm is chiefly 
applied to fallows for wheat. The land intended for roots was 
at our second visit partly sown, and partly being worked. This 
was one of the stronger fields, and the amount of work which 
had been expended in ploughing, scuffling several times with 
implements requiring five strong horses to move them, har- 
rowing, &c., would make the roots costly, however big the crop. 
This field was perfectly clean ; and after rain, necessary to reduce 
the cast-iron-like clods, it would be ridged, manured heavily, and 
6 cwt. of dissolved bones applied. Digging-ploughs and Stafford- 
shire harrows are valuable implements for such land, and power- 
ful horses are absolutely necessary. The oats were the most 
promising cereals. The great drawback to Mr. Holme's success 
is the heavy and unprofitable outlay on the stronger portions of 
the arable land. There is everywhere evidence of excellent 
management. The labour is well looked after, though of course 
on such a farm it mounts up. It comprises 2 waggoners and 2 
boys. The men have I65. a week, house, and garden, coals 
carted, and a quart of small beer daily, and more in harvest. 
The beer costs ^d. a gallon. In harvest about 50s. extra money 
is given. There are four day-labourers, who have 155. a week 
and cottage, rent free, and beer as above, and 1 foreman, Robert 
Silcock, recommended strongly by Mr. Holme. Women are 
employed in stone-picking and clod-knocking. The latter 
important work is usually done by contract at 4f/. an acre. 
The ordinary wages of women are Is. a day, from 8 to 5. 
Two cow-men and 2 lads are kept, who deliver milk, clean 
their horses, and mix food for the cattle. The labourer and 
foreman help to milk, 6 cows being assigned to each man. 
