Derby Farm-Prize Competition, 1881. 497 
given for artificial manures and bought food are considerable, 
and stand thus : — 
Years. 
Prtvil H.nr 
l^OHl, liny, ^lilll- 
culras, Grains, 
and Cakes. 
Manures. 
Total. 
1878 
£ s. d. 
32ti 1 3 
£ s. d. 
86 10 9 
£ 8. d. 
412 12 0 
1879 
56i 15 5 
107 8 8 
672 4 1 
1880 
389 11 11 
102 5 3 
491 17 2 
This is equal to about 325. 10c?. per acre per annum on the 
average of three years. 
Where milk is produced all the year round many grains are 
used, and judicious managers buy them, as Mr. Stretton does, 
in the summer at about 2^a(. per bushel, and store them in air- 
tight cisterns. 
Improvements. — Draining has been done with very good 
effect in the meadows, though the very level lie of the land 
makes it difficult to get a good fall. Some draining was being 
finished in May, the landlord finding pipes and the tenant 
labour. Twelve hundred yards of old fences have been grubbed, 
and 300 yards of new have been planted. 
Implements. — There is a good assortment of implements 
suitable to the holding, and we found all that were not in use 
cleaned, repaired, and properly put away under cover. 
Accounts. — The accounts appear to have been kept with great 
accuracy, but through foreign competition and losses by floods 
and sheep, Mr. Stretton is not able to show a result as good as 
he deserves, when we consider the very large quantity of stock 
kept, the considerable capital invested, and the untiring industry 
of Mr. Stretton and his worthy helpmeet. Through the floods, 
the fences had required and received very great attention. In 
many places the roads and gateways had been washed away, 
and had been carted back again ; the banks and hedges had 
been carried away bodily, and were brought back and replaced, 
and the exposed roots of fences carefully covered up ; the gates 
had been prevented following the fences by being fastened to 
the posts by chains and staples. Miles of fences had been 
freed from drift and weeds before they could start to grow 
properly. Under such circumMtances too much praise can 
scarcely be given to the tireless energy of Mr, Stretton, and 
the Judges had great pleasure in recommending that a third 
prize be awarded to him. 
