564 
The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 
Nos. 569 and 549. Both in barley, the latter field suffering 
from wireworm and requiring rain ; otherwise the corn was 
forward and promising. Mr. Hawkins considers that, taking 
the higher land and stony brows into consideration, 40 bushels 
imperial is an average crop, which supposes much more on 
the best parts. Both these fields presented a most promising 
appearance at our last visit. 
No. 546, 22 a. 2 r. Hunter's red chaff wheat on clover-ley, 
dressed with 3 tons of lime per acre, which improves the 
quality of the corn, strengthens the straw, and acts beneficially 
on the succeeding root crops. The ley had only one plough, and 
of seed, 2^ bushels per acre, was drilled in November. Part of 
the clover was seeded, but there was no perceptible difference in 
the crop, which was excellent throughout, and looked like 5 to 5^ 
quarters per acre. The wheat was eaten bare by sheep in 
the early part of April as a preventive of too great luxuriance. 
No. 542, 15 a. 2 r. Winter oats on wheat stubble, 3 J bushels 
of seed per acre. This was also fed off by sheep, which probably 
accounts for its bunchy appearance. This field was not quite 
clean, and is intended to be worked by steam power in the 
autumn for roots next year. The inequalities alluded to had 
entirely disappeared in July, when the crop looked like yielding 
from 50 to 60 bushels per acre. 
No. 541, 34 a. 2 r. Biddell's imperial wheat on clover, part 
seeded. Not limed. Part of this field is thin and weak, and 
the crop was there not so strong, but very good on the whole, 
and quite clean. 
No. 545, 16 a. Mangolds on 10 acres, coming well. This 
land was deeply ploughed in autumn, burying 12 to 14 tons of 
dung per acre, and steam-worked this spring, then 5 cwt. of 
dissolved bones was broadcasted, the land raised into drills, 
and sown with 8 lbs. per acre of Carter's prize wardens. If the 
crop came on well, more bones and salt would be applied later 
on. Six acres of swedes were drilled on the flat, with 5 cwt. 
of dissolved bones. The surface is not rolled after sowing. 
Mr. Hawkins makes his own manure ; he buys fresh bones at 
6Z. a ton, and applies \ by weight of acid. The bones are 
carefully crushed, and then well wetted on a stone floor with as 
much water as can be absorbed ; this is left for twenty-four 
hours ; then the acid is added, taking care that the mass is 
thoroughly mixed ; it is then covered down with ashes, and 
left for three or four weeks. In this way a partially dissolved 
manure is obtained, which appears to answer well. 
Nos. 551 and 552, 33 a., of which 20 acres were laid to grass 
six or seven years ago, and carries an excellent face, for so 
young a pasture. The seeds were sown on a wheat crop, bone- 
dust and compost being applied. It has been well manured, 
