290 Report on the Farm-Prize Competition of 1872. 
from the 1st of May, and are paid montlily ; a month's wages 
being commonly left in the master's hands. The rest of the 
workmen are paid fortnightly, on Fridays, Saturday being 
market day at the adjacent towns of Aberavon and Taibach. 
Women show no unwillingness to perform the lighter kinds of 
barn and field work : on the contrary, they gladly walk long 
distances to and from the farm, though they expect to be 
employed throughout the year, without any lost time, at the 
wages quoted. No cider is made, but the entire staff of workpeople 
are allowed beer in harvest and a fortnight's victuals ; the men 
boarded in the house having, throughout the year, the further in- 
dulgence of a pint of beer each with their Sunday's dinner. 
Buildings, Fences, Gates, Artificial Food and Manures. — The 
tenant's residence at Eglwysnunyd, although somewhat old- 
fashioned, is tolerably good. Screened from the farm pre- 
mises by means of trees and shrubs, it is, nevertheless, in close 
proximity to them. Possessing an agreeable aspect, tastefully 
laid-out flower-beds, well-kept greenhouse, productive kitchen- 
garden, and other pleasant surroundings, Mr. Powell's home is 
certainly one to be envied. The farm buildings, mostly of stone 
and slate, are somewhat scattered, but they are ample for the 
requirements of the farm, and in good repair. Excepting main 
walls and main timbers, Mr. Powell is expected to keep the 
dwelling house and buildings in good condition. Besides 
"tying up" for 49 animals, there are 6 excellent loose boxes, ave- 
raging 15 feet by 11 feet, and a like number of conveniently placed 
cattle-yards, with sheds attached. The farm-horse stable is fitted 
up in the style common in the north of England, while engine- 
shed, cart and waggon house, ample granary, implement and 
artificial-manure shed, complete a well-appointed farmsteading. 
The fences on this farm are, for the most part, kept low, and 
neatly trimmed. Some of the old wide banks have yet to be 
removed, and these are being reduced each year, the soil making 
-excellent compost. Mr. Powell finds for himself wooden gates, 
which are of a very good pattern ; they are coal-tarred or 
painted every season, and are by this means well presented. 
Including the market value of home-grown peas and corn, 
Mr. Powell expends, yearly, in extraneous feeding stuffs, about 
250/. Linseed cake is preferred to cotton cake, but the latter 
is found to answer extremely well with sheep when consuming 
a large quantity of succulent food. It is often mixed with 
unground Indian corn, and with good results. About 100/. 
a year may be put down as the usual outlay for artificial 
manures, while 25/. is annually paid for well -burnt lime. 
Besides this last, Mr. Powell is about to try the merits of gas- 
liinc mixed with liis compost heaps. 
