The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 
565 
has already been mown three times, and was again laid for hay. 
The rest of the field was in seeds, part grazed and part for 
mowing ; the latter, consisting of red clover only, sown with 
16 lbs. per acre, was a magnificent plant. The other part was 
being grazed by the ewe hoggs, which would be here on and off 
till the first week of June, when it would be laid for seed. 
Nothing could look better, and the appearance of all the crops, 
and especially the clover, indicates a very high state of fertility. 
No. 559, 8 a. 1 r. A grand crop of square-head wheat, 
possibly the heaviest of all. 
No. 561, 34 a. 0 r. 32 p. A splendid field of white clover, 
grazed, and 10 acres laid for seed. 
No. "538, 25 a. The meadow, bordering on the river Wye, 
with two fine twin elms in the centre. The lower side is deep 
rich soil ; the upper and higher part is thin, and burns in a dry 
season. This field has an excellent face on it, and though so 
rich, not a nettle was visible, the result of careful extirpation by 
the fork. I may here notice that the whole of the grass-land has 
been drained, the landlord finding pipes, and the tenant doing 
labour, and a great portion has been boned. This particular 
meadow, for example, after being partly drained where requisite, 
was dressed with 5 cwt. of ^-in. bones, and an equal quantity of 
dust bones, and then grazed for two years in succession with cattle 
eating corn and cake, which accounts for its splendid appearance. 
No. 537, 34 a. Meadow land bounded like the last on one 
side by the Wye. This meadow is mown in alternate years, 
and grazed with cattle and sheep, and is usually dressed before 
mowing with soil and bones. This is not nearly so good a field, 
but it is well grazed, and in very high condition. 
No. 538, 24 a. 3 r. 35 p. This is a grand meadow, which has 
been doubled in value by draining and boning. It is now full 
of rich nutritious herbage. The condition of the grass-land, due 
to liberal outlay and judicious grazing, is even a better evidence 
of good management than the excellence of the crops, and the 
cleanness of the tillage land. The usual acreage for mowing is 
48 acres of pasture, which, as has been explained, is not always 
on the same land, and 18 acres of seeds, which will certainly 
give an average of over 100 tons of hay. There are about 
30 acres of orchards, which require renovating, and as a rule 
there is little to sell as so much is required by the labourers. 
Mr. Hawkins gives two quarts of cider per day in winter, and 
three quarts in summer. He is fully conscious of the objections 
against the system, but was not powerful enough to break down 
the custom ; he tried it for six months, giving money, and 
allowing the hands to buy cider, but the men were not satisfied. 
The labourers comprises twenty men and boys regularly em- 
ployed, and some work is done by contract. The men get from 
