Farm-Prize Competition, 1880. 
513 
The average has therefore been about 324Z. 10.v., which perhaps 
seems large for the size of the farm, but no longer so if the stock 
and their character are considered. 
Improvements. — I shall not dwell long on this subject, but 
since Mr. Handley has been very spirited in this line 1 think it 
due to him that some of them should be briefly enumerated. 
Some of the steepest of the land has been laid down in permanent 
grass. Large quantities of turnips have been consumed upon it, 
and it has been boned heavily. The following is the account of 
the new walling, hedging, &c. executed by Mr. Handley during 
his tenancy — 
2989 yards of new stone dyking. 
1915 „ new stone fence walling. 
927 „ new quick-thorn fence. 
2842 „ old fences grubbed and removed. 
HedcjeSy Fences, ^'C. — The hedges and fences are uniformly 
good ; whether quick-thorn or stone, they are maintained in a 
thoroughly good condition. The gates are all in good order, 
and are painted red. The general appearance of the farm is 
neat. The fields are large ; the homestead (nearly in the centre) 
is capacious, its walls being of stone, as usual in this district ; a 
fixed 6-horse engine threshes and cuts chaff. One of the barns 
is on a higher level and above the range of cattle sheds (an 
ordinary VVestmoreland plan). The house is of the ordinary 
Westmoreland type, stone-built and roomy, but by no means 
ornamental. It would be advantageous on a farm like this, 
where the consumption of artificial food is large and where fine 
stock are kept, if the dung were kept under cover, but this is 
a point which few Westmoreland landlords seem to think of 
sufficient importance. 
Prizes. — The following remarkable list of prizes taken by Mr. 
Handley will show that in other matters besides showing stock 
he has been very successful, and that the honour he has now 
achieved is only the crowning point of a career of prosperity. 
His farm has taken 7 first and 8 second pizes. For the best 
crops of swedes in local competition he has taken 24 firsts and 
20 seconds. For "general stock," 10 firsts and 1 second. For 
Shorthorns, 235 first, 88 second, 21 third, and 7 fourth ; and for 
sheep, as I have mentioned previously, 159 first, 99 second, and 
15 third. 
In 1879 upwards of 650/. were taken in cups and cash in 
Shorthorn prizes, of which " Master Harbinger " earned 300Z. 
for his breeder. Of this sum Mr. Handley reckons 350/. as 
profit, and the remainder as cost of exhibition. 
The accounts, which are very well kept, sufficiently show 
VOL. XVI. — S. S. 2 L 
