590 
The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 
Assuming that these figures represent the working capital of 
the farm, and seeing the large amount for the last item, hay, 
&c. — which could hardly be realised — we should say it exceeds 
rather than that it is under the actual amount. It follows that the 
profits to cover interest of money, and the labour of the tenant 
and his wife, after expenses of every kind have been defrayed, 
including house and tradesmen's bills, have averaged 13 per cent, 
per annum. But the most extraordinary feature of this history, 
which is quite unique in our experience, is that this respectable 
capital has been entirely built up by the ability, energy, self- 
denial, and perseverance of the farmer and his excellent help- 
mate. With such facts, for which from the strictest investiga- 
tion we can vouch, there is great encouragement for the small 
farming community. 
Class 3. — Second Prize. 
3Ir. Sherratt, Oclepitchard, near Hereford. 
A. R. P. 
Grass 66 1 30 
Hops 16 1 17 
Arable 47 3 26 
130 2 33 
Mr. Sherratt, who occupies on yearly tenure, under J. H. 
Postlethwaite, Esq., Liverpool, came originally from Scotland, 
and has been the tenant of Oclepitchard for 28 years. He is 
not restricted as to cropping or sale, though holding under an 
agreement. The value of the farm has been much increased by the 
making of two hop-gardens, which are the leading feature and 
the chief source of profit. Before commencing work Mr. Sherratt 
studied the systems of management as practised in the county, and 
commenced soon after his occupation to plant part of a field, which 
yielded fairly well ; and believing the business would answer, he 
finished his first field, and after a time commenced a second, 
which was only completed in 1883. As the land lies rather high 
and is somewhat exposed, Mr. Sherratt found that shelter from 
prevailing winds was necessary ; he has paid great attention to 
the development of the hedges, which are now admirably 
adapted to break the force of the winds which might otherwise 
prove so destructive. The ordinary annual cultivation comprises 
three ploughings, three scufllings, three harrowings, and an equal 
number of rollings. At our second visit, on May 28th, we were 
disappointed to find the gardens in a dirty state, which was 
