592 The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 
spare milk is made into butter. Mr. Sherratt has established a 
trade for milk cows, which are principally sold to gentlemen in 
the neighbourhood of Hereford. At the present time the cow- 
stock is considerably reduced, owing to the impossibility of 
getting the usual draft from Scotland, and the risk attending the 
introduction of cattle. Twice has the stock been attacked with 
foot-and-mouth disease, and each time the losses were equal to a 
year's rent. At our visit in January the total horned stock was 
17, comprising 7 cows, 6 two-year-old heifers in-calf, 3 yearling 
heifers, and 1 calf. 
About a score of Shropshire ewes are usually kept, the lambs 
being sold fat during summer, and the ewes later on. Now, 
owing to the scarcity of cattle, the ewe stock increased to 35 
head, which produced 47 lambs. The land is too strong for a 
permanent flock ; indeed, so great were the losses from liver- 
rot in 1879, that sheep were discontinued until 1883. 
Six working mares are kept, and foals bred. This large 
force enables Mr. Sherratt to command working power at times 
when on such strong land it is all important. We saw a useful 
three-year-old, two-year-old, and yearling. Nag-breeding has 
been successfully practised, the foundation being an old mare 
by " Hereford," a son of " Sir Hercules," which has bred 
several winners, and herself was twice a winner at Royal 
Shows, but is now near her end ; and a thoroughbred stallion, 
" Bravado," by " Buccaneer," dam " Woodbine," by " Stockwell," 
" Woodbine " out of " Honeysuckle," a sister of " Newminster," 
by " Touchstone," out of " Beeswing." " Bravado," 15 years 
old, is a dark brown, 16.1 hands, with plenty of bone, and well 
qualified to get good hunting stock. We saw out at grass 
a five-year-old mare by " Ladbrooke," with foal by " Bravado," 
entered for Shrewsbury — a promising pair ; a dark chestnut 
four-year-old gelding, " Energy," by " Bravado," with great 
depth and powerful loin, and some youngsters that did credit to 
both parents. The total number of horses in January was 15. 
Several prizes have been taken by the nags, and good prices are 
made. The sons break them in — a pleasant occupation, which 
helps to make home attractive. Mr. Sherratt has a large 
family, ten in all, ranging from 9 to 25. One lad, with a 
decided turn for carpentry, made two very creditable carts in 
his spare time ; and all are brought up to hard work, of which 
Mr. Sherratt sets an example. He himself commenced life 
as a ploughman in England, then became a bailiff, always saving 
money, until he was able to take a wife and a farm. I am 
sorry to add that Mrs. Sherratt is now a great invalid. 
Pigs are kept to utilise the waste from the house and refuse 
from the dairy, and provide bacon for the family. 
