566 
The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 
12.«. to I4s. a-week, and cider ; 25s. extra for harvest, with bread 
and cheese at five-o'clock luncheon during the work, and twenty 
score yards of potato ground, equal to 10s. The carters have 
rather higher wages with the same perquisites, occupying cottages 
on the farm, for which they pay 2s. a-week rent. 
The cost of labour in 1883, including all extras, was 
792/. Os. 8f?., equal to 1/. 9s. ^d. per acre — a very reasonable 
amount considering the large proportion of arable land and the 
admirable finish to everything. It was evident that labour was 
well handled, and that the men were under excellent control. A 
large area of old fences have been removed, and those that remain 
are carefully tended and in good preservation. The profits as 
regards cattle are influenced by the comparative price of store 
and fat animals, and hence vary more than on farms where the 
animals are bred ; for example, 1882 was a much better year 
than its follower, because in the former money went much 
farther in purchasing, and sale prices were good. A very large 
capital is worked, averaging from 12Z. to 16/. an acre. The 
valuation ranges between 6000/. and 7000/., and the results 
when spread over a number of years are satisfactory, though 
certainly not more than might be, and ought to be, looked for 
from the combination of rare skill and attention, with adequate 
capital. It was a pleasant and instructive occupation to inspect 
such a splendidly-managed business, so complete in all details, 
and we can only hope that some reflection of our impressions 
may be conveyed in this Report. One point may be impressed 
upon our readers, viz. that the results at the Sugwas farm are 
not to be attributed so much to the inherent capabilities of the 
soil as to the admirable skill and enterprise of the most intelli- 
gent occupier. It should be mentioned that Mr. Hawkins keeps 
excellent accounts, which enable him to know how the different 
branches of his business succeed. 
The outlay in purchased food and manures for the years 
ending May, 1883, and May, 1884, afford evidence of the liberal 
treatment adopted. 
1883. 
Cost of purchased foods 
Value of home grown 
corn consumed — 
Tail wheat 
Barley 
£ 
TjG 
d. 
11 
15 
31 
If) 
10 
Cost of artificial manure 115 13 G 
Total 
£919 G 5 
1884. 
£ s. d. 
33 12 0 
25 4 0 
Peas .. .. 15 6 0 
Oats .. .. 83 14 0 
£ s. d. 
656 18 2 
157 16 0 
Cost of artif.cial manure 189 9 10 
Total .. £1004 4 0 
