The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 
577 
Class II. — Highly Commekded. 
Mr. Thomas Griffin, Preston Vale Farm, near Penkridge. 
Arable 196 acres. 
Grass 89 ,, 
Total . . 285 „ 
This farm is occupied on yearly agreement under Lord 
Halherton. The soil is a strong red loam, nearly all heavy, and 
awkward to work. The grass-land is partly upland, but prin- 
cipally meadows, injured by the flooding of the Wistow, a 
straggling brook, which bounds the farm on the south side. 
The farm is admirably laid out. A road made by the tenant 
runs north-west from the buildings, right through the centre of 
the largest plot, with conveniently shaped fields on either side. 
These fields have been principally laid out by the tenant, who 
has planted 3200 yards of new fences, and has stubbed up 
nearly double this quantity. The landlord supplied materials, 
and some assistance in the labour. The result of all this outlay 
is that the farm is very ship-shape, the fences are excellent, and 
the whole appearance trim and businesslike. 
The tillage land was perfectly clean, and in high condition. 
Here, as at Stafford, the practice of marling strong land was 
formerly carried to excess. Marl-pits in nearly every field occupy 
valuable space, and indicate to what an extent this practice 
prevailed, which doubtless increased the yield of wheat, but 
injured the mechanical condition of the land. The land is 
winter-ploughed with three stout horses in line. The usual 
rotation is a modified four-course. Two corn crops are occa- 
sionally taken, and the general cleanness of the land renders 
such a practice allowable. There are no restrictions as to 
cropping or sale. Steam cultivation is hired in spring for 
working the fallows. All the crops were most promising. 
Wheat and beans were especially good. The land for roots is 
carefully and judiciously cultivated ; thus, field No. 1749 was 
ploughed in the autumn after wheat ; it was steam-cultivated 
twice in early spring, twice ploughed afterwards and worked, 
ridged after 6 cwt. of dissolved bones had been applied broad- 
cast, then a scuffler run up the furrows, and the ridges were 
split back on the land thus deeply stirred ; and judging from 
the excellent crops which were being consumed at the time of 
our first visit, I think this treatment must be advantageous. 
The bone manure was obtained from the Cannock Chase Agri- 
cultural Company, Limited, costing 11. to 11. 10s. a ton. The 
seeds, which are grazed down by sheep in spring, and then laid 
