Farm-Prize Competition, 1880. 
575 
The draft ewes are not invariably put to Shropshire tups. 
In February we saw some nice " mules " (half-bred Leicester 
and Herdwick). These would be easily disposed of during 
the spring and summer, and when they get turnips there is no 
difficulty in sending them away fat. When they are crossed 
with Shropshire they run on the low land, and the lambs are 
made off" fat. These half-bred lambs come very black and 
spotted, whilst the pure Herdwicks are beautifully white, with 
black legs and faces, white ears very erect, and sometimes spots 
on the body like a leopard, which afterwards die out. Nothing 
can be more attractive than the appearance of these lambs. 
Their beauty is equalled only by their liveliness, and this is 
much more noticeable than in the cultivated breeds. Seen 
playing on the slopes of the hills or on the verdant knolls of this 
beautiful country on a fine spring day, they give an animation to 
the scene which is very striking. The ewes are fattened off, 
after their lambs are gone, on the low land during the winter. 
Some sheep of various breeds (Cheviot wethers, &c.) are 
bought in also, as the keeping allows, and fattened off" on the 
grass with turnips. 
Cakes and Artificial Foods. — About 400Z. a-year is spent in 
cakes and artificial foods, but this includes the oatmeal for the 
house. The cakes are all broken at the mill before alluded to, 
and weighed ofi' there, and this forms a reliable check upon 
their consumption. 
Hedges and Fences. — If any proof Avere wanted of the natural 
fertility of the valley-land at Lamplugh, it would be afforded by 
the hedges. These are all on banks, according to the custom of 
the country, but the vigour of their growth is surprising. They 
are being much improved, but they had fallen into a bad state 
when Mr. Leathes entered on the farm. They are entirely of 
whitethorn, and, well grown, afford a great natural protection to 
the stock in inclement weather. Above the house the fences 
are chiefly dry stone walls ; but the 617 acres of common (hill- 
side) were enclosed twelve years ago with wood posts and ordinary 
fencing wire. When enclosing such land, the material ought to 
be posts of iron and the best galvanized wire, the posts having 
a thoroughly good coat of paint at the finish. The result of 
using inferior material in such an exposed situation is that at 
present some of the above fences want removing. 
Labour. — From 5 to 7 men are employed, besides 2 girls, 
who milk and do housework, &c. There are 2 horsemen, 
1 milkman and 1 cowboy, 1 shepherd, 2 spadesmen, hedgers, 
&c., and Mr. Leathes has one apprentice, who takes his regular 
share of the farm work. 
The milkman gets 12s. a-week, besides his board in the house 
