Farm-Prize Competition, 1880. 
561 
year very first-rate. There was a good deal of alsike clover in 
them, and nowhere did we see a finer or healthier swathe after 
the machine. In the second year they are grazed partly by cattle 
and partly by sheep ; and oats completes the rotation. In clean- 
liness and good management this crop equals the rest. 
The whole of the arable land deserves the greatest praise. 
The cleanliness is exceeding, and the work done in first-rate 
style, principally by Mr. Benson himself and his family. The 
greatest liberality is practised with manures where required ; 
severe economy, as will be hereafter shown, with labour, except 
that of his own hands and those of his children. 
Stock. — The stock, though not equal to some we found on the 
other farms, is all of a very useful and profitable character. In 
February it consisted of 38 head of cattle, 102 sheep, 3 horses, 
and 3 pigs ; and in July there were 43 cattle, 74 sheep, 3 horses, 
and 7 pigs. 
Cattle. — The cattle are nearly all Shorthorns, and of a very 
good sort. Twelve cows are kept, and their produce reared. 
The steers are kept till they are two years old, and the heifers 
are saved till they are three, when they are fattened, except 
the best, which are saved for the herd. A useful bull is in 
stock. The cows all show great milking capacity, and are of 
large frame and good quality. A good heifer or two are gene- 
rally kept for Christmas. At Whitehaven last year a heifer 
of this age made 39/. 10s., and took 8/. as a prize. She was 
taken by her purchaser into Yorkshire, and took another prize at 
Settle. All the cattle are in capital condition, and there is 
every token of good management in this department. 
Sheep. — About 20 Leicester ewes are kept, and their produce 
sold as lambs. They are put to a Shropshire tup. Some other 
sheep, generally half-bred Leicesters and Herdwicks, are brought 
in and fattened on grass or turnips with cake, and 34 Herdwick 
gimmers were this year taken in from the fells to winter, at 
75. each, from October to April. These get no turnips on the 
grass. The lambs we saw in July were very good and healthy. 
Horses, — The horses are fair. The threshing is done by fixed 
machinery, worked by three horses. In consequence, this is the 
usual number employed. Only two are required for chaff- 
cutting. 
Pasture. — The pastures are very useful, and well managed. 
There is a good mowing meadow off-lying at a short distance. 
The thistles are kept down in the grazing-fields. Both pastures 
and meadows, as well as all seed-lands, are tov-dressed ivith 2 cwt. 
of bone-manure, or IJ cwt. of Peruvian guano every year. 
Improvemejits. — When Mr. Benson entered on his lease he 
bought new gates for almost all the farm, and he provided a good 
VOL. XVI. — S. S. 2 0 
