238 
Farm Prize Competition. 1908. 
upkeep of the cottages. The gates, fences, and roads were all 
in good order and condition. 
Mr. Nicol was brought up to farming from boyhood and 
gained most of his experience in Lanarkshire, and his farming 
and methods do the greatest credit to his North Country 
training. 
The tenant has erected a shed in which are kept his various 
implements, which are all of the latest type and in good order. 
They are sold off as they become old fashioned and the latest 
patterns substituted. He has also installed a five-horse power 
oil engine at his own expense in a building adjoining the byre 
for driving his crushing and chopping machinery. The 
landlords maintain the buildings, which were all in good order, 
and Mr. Nicol keeps them very clean and tidy. 
Book-keeping. — Complete accounts. 
The land was all extremely well cultivated and thoroughly 
clean. The crops were very good indeed, and showed evidence 
of sound management. The fields are rather inconveniently 
situated for the homestead, but Mr. Nicol cheerfully sur- 
mounts this difficulty and has his farm in perfect order and 
in a condition to yield a good return for his labours. 
Class III. — Second Prize Farm. 
Occupied by Mr. John Reay , East Brunton, Newcastle. 
This farm consists of 315 acres, 230 of which are arable 
and 85 permanent grass. It is held on a yearly tenancy under 
Captain J. F. Laycock. Mr. Reay has held the farm thirty years, 
and speaks in the highest terms of his landlord and the 
agent, Mr. R. J. Aynsley. The buildings are substantial stone 
erections, covering a large space, and very pleasantly situated. 
The homestead is on a hard road, which crosses the whole 
farm, and is in a central position. All the fields lie conveni- 
ently near, and within easy view of the house. 
Mr. Reay informed us that the buildings had been erected 
for the feeding and rearing of stock, but had been altered and 
adapted for milch cows. 
Most of the soil is strong clay, which, with the large 
dressings of manure it receives, is full of substance. The land 
is farmed on an open agreement, there being no restrictions as 
to cropping. 
The general rotation is turnips and potatoes, followed by 
barley and oats, according to circumstances. The barley and 
oats are followed by seeds, left down for several years. After 
seeds, oats are taken. 
Roots. — The land is thrice ploughed and then cultivated 
and set up in drills twenty-eight inches apart. Farm-yard 
