The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 
555 
material used for bedding horses) from London is used, which 
costs 5s. a ton, delivered at Woofferton. There are two 
orchards, and last year 370 apple-trees were planted, only 7 
of which died. Farmyard-manure is applied round the trees, 
which were most promising. 
Wheat stubbles are manured for swedes, which grow well. In 
addition to this manure, 5 cwt. of ground bones is applied at 
the time of sowing. At our first visit we saw a capital crop on 
the ground, the produce of 1883, very regular, and not over- 
estimated at 25 tons per acre. Mangolds are not much grown, 
as they do not yield well. Every eight years the land is limed, 
which partly accounts for the success attained. It is evident that 
with such a small quantity of tillage land, and the moderate 
outlay in purchased food, viz. 60Z. in mixed cake, good crops 
must be grown to carry such a heavy stock. The young seeds 
were excellent, thick on the ground and full of clover. Wheat 
follows clover, and suffers from wireworm. Its average yield is 
36 to 38 bushels of 60 lbs. Barley yields about the same. Oats 
are seldom grown. 
We saw at our second visit one field of square-head wheat, 
after peas, a splendid promise. The pea-stubble was limed at 
the rate of 3 tons per acre. The roots recently sown and the 
barley were suffering from want of rain, and unless the district 
was soon favoured with considerable downfall, the prospects for 
the present year were not encouraging. Mr. Hardeman does 
not keep accounts. But his careful clean management deserves 
commendation, as he is a hard-working improving tenant, who 
has worked his way up, and gradually increased his stock, 
which is good all round. 
Class I. — Commended. 
Mr. R. L. Acton, of Brockton, Much Wenlock. 
Grass 180 acres. 
Arable 104 „ 
284 acres. 
The farm is held by the year on parole agreement from Jasper 
More, Esq., of Linley Hall. It comprises useful grass-land, 
partly irrigated, below the village, and higher land, principally 
arable, above ; the latter is exposed and probably rises to 800 feet 
above the sea. The climate is backward, and wheat is not a de- 
pendable crop, owing to the late harvest. The soil varies from 
strong clay to useful gravel, resting on Ludlow shales ; it is de- 
ficient in lime, a dressing of which every eight years — for wheat 
