Farm-Prize Competition, 1880. 
551 
with the drop drill. The whole of the oats grown are consumed 
upon the farm. 
Live Stock. — now turn to the stock, in considering the whole 
of which Mr. Donald perhaps excels even the first-rate com- 
petitors who came against him in the class. The cattle are 
very first-rate ; the sheep excellent, as far as they go, though this 
is no sheep iarm ; the horses superior, and the swine equally so. 
The following was the stock of cattle at our February and July 
inspections : — 
February '?>r<l. July OC/t. 
2 Bulls. 1 ]',ull. 
3 F;\t fow.s. 17 (Jows. 
17 (\iws in-iiiilk and calf. 9 Two-j'cav-old licifcrs. 
2 " ]5ack-end " calves. ^ 10 Yearling ditto. 
7 Heifers rising 2 years old. ; 5 Ballock-stirks. 
12 Yearling heifers. 15 Calves. 
fi Steers. 
1 Calf. j 
50 57 
The whole of the herd are pure Shorthorns, though not 
entered in the Herdbook. Great care is taken to maintain the 
superiority of the stock, and none but first-class pedigree bulls 
are ever used. 
At our February visit we found a rare good Northumberland- 
bred bull in use. In July lie had been replaced by a young 
roan of the celebrated Kilhow blood, with a "Waterloo"' 
descent. His sire was " Wigton " (35,995). This bull was by 
" Grand Duke of Lightburne the 2nd," who went back to 
" Waterloo " blood for generations. This youngster worthily 
replaced the capital old bull he succeeded. 
The cows and heifers mostly calve in February, March, and 
April. They are a rare stamp of stock, even in this splendid 
Shorthorn country. Their condition also leaves nothing to be 
desired, and they were perhaps shown to us in the byres and 
stalls in a more cleanly state than those of any other competitor. 
Dairy. — Until the time of calving the cows do not live very 
luxuriously. They get oat-straw and swedes, and about 2 lbs. 
of crushed oats a-day. After calving they are fed a little better, 
palm-nut meal and linseed-cake being added to their food. The 
dairy is an important consideration, it need scarcely be said, and 
the cows are selected partly with this in view. There is a sale 
for a certain amount of new milk in the village at 3c?. per quart, 
and a large quantity of butter makes a fair price. 
The two-year-old and yearling heifers were first-rate. It 
would be difficult to see a more en»a<rin2f lot. Admirable alike 
in quality, in colour and condition, they were a credit to the 
