July 22, 1880. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
81 
champion prize as the best cart stallion, in the Shovr-yard. The 
second prize was taken by Mr. J. S. Hodgson. Haslemere, Surrey. 
The third prize was awarded to Mr. E. A. Caldicutt, Court Farm. 
Reading, Berks, for a horse which we thought ought to have been 
placed second instead of third, for it was a magnificent animal, 
and stands as No. 276 in the “ Pedigree Stud Book ” of the 
English Cart-horse Society. Now, this stallion is of immense 
power, although not high enough for a London dray horse, yet he 
is over 16^ hands in height, and of substance in proportion. We 
heard it stated that he was placed third because he had large 
hocks. We view this matter as merely exhibiting joints of extra 
muscular power, for when the legs are flat with soft silky hair the 
large hocks do not indicate any constitutional tendency to grease 
or joint humours, so common to horses with big bony round legs, 
and padded with thick coarse hair. What we also admired in 
this animal was that, notwithstanding his great weight and power, 
he was as active as possible—certainly the most active of the 
farm horses shown, and this is the style and type of animal that 
we have always recommended to the notice of the home farmer, 
as being capable of drawing a plough in all summer work, or 
with two such to a double-furrowed plough. This we contend 
is the only true farm horse economy, for such an animal in ordi¬ 
nary draught or team is equal to pull 25 to 30 cwt. with ease. 
Her Majesty the Queen exhibited a well-bred Clydesdale stallion 
in this class, but it was not noticed by the Judges as commended 
or reserved number, although he was of full pedigree, and num¬ 
bered in the “ Stud Book ” 1252. For the best cart stallion foaled 
in the year 1878 the first prize was awarded to Messrs. E. and 
A. Stanford of Ashurst Steyning, Sussex, for a remarkably promis¬ 
ing Clydesdale stallion just under two years of age, which was 
much admired for its correct form and activity ; in fact, just such 
an animal as many noblemen and gentlemen should possess and 
keep on the home farm for the use and benefit of the tenantry 
and farmers of the district, charging only a moderate price for 
service. The second prize was taken by a Suffolk stallion two 
years and two months old, belonging to Lord Northbrook of 
Stratton Park, Micheldever, Hants. This horse was very active 
but rather light, and wanting in substance for agricultural pur¬ 
poses. The third prize was given to a stallion of Clydesdale 
origin, bred and exhibited by Mr. William Drewitt of Brantley, 
Surrey. This was a very fine animal with plenty of substance, 
flat legs, and capital action, and we thought ought to have been 
placed second instead of third, because this breed and style of 
animal are of better constitution than the Suffolks generally, 
and will continue in farm work much longer. Her Majesty 
the Queen took the reserve number with a fine and well-bred 
Clydesdale stallion two years old, bred at the Shaw Farm, 
Windsor, and it was no discredit to be so placed in the 
company of such remarkable animals as formed this class. Class 
18, for the best gelding or filly foaled in the year 1878, eight 
entries. First prize given to Messrs. E. & A. Stamford, who also 
held the reserved number and a high commendation, thus showing 
that their style and type of horses were held in high estimation 
by the Judges. Mr. J. S. Hodgson took second prize with a well- 
bred animal. Her Majesty the Queen exhibited two animals in 
this class, one of which was commended, and justly so, for both 
were Clydesdale fillies of great excellence. Class 19, for the best 
entire cart colt foaled in 1879, four entries, Messrs. Stanford again 
took the first prize and the reserved number in this interesting 
and promising show of youngsters, Mr, Wm. Drewitt taking the 
second prize. Class 20, for the best filly foaled in 1879, four 
entries. Again Messrs. Stanford took first prize and reserved 
number, the second prize being awarded to Mr. W. B. Stubbs of 
Alresford, Hants. Class 21, best mare and foal, and Class 22, 
best mare for breeding purposes. In both these classes, although 
the entries were four and five respectively, Messrs. Stanford took 
the first and third prizes in the former class, and first prize and 
reserved number in the latter. This must indeed be considered a 
great achievement at an exhibition wherein we do not hesitate to 
say that all the best animals known of the different ages to be 
found in the southern counties were entered, and it establishes 
beyond doubt that Messrs. Stanford’s stud of Clydesdale stock is 
not only worthy of the attention of all breeders of farm, horses, 
but that they exhibit a uniform type and style worthy of imitation 
throughout the kingdom, for this stock is of long standing reputa¬ 
tion as well as of great present success in the show yard. We will 
pass over the hunters exhibited by thirteen competitors in Class 
23, because the remarks which we propose to make in Class 24, 
referring to hacks, will for the most part apply with equal pro¬ 
priety in both classes. In the class for hacks or horses fitted for 
general purposes there were twelve entries. First prize awarded 
to Mrs. G. Prior, Horndean, Hants; second prize to Mr. H. A. 
Martin, Cosham, Hants. Both these horses were well-finished 
animals as regards outline and shape, and well worthy of the 
prizes they obtained. We wish, however, to say that all the 
animals taking prizes in the hunter and hack classes were ex¬ 
ceptionally good in themselves, but in the classes to which they 
belong—taking the breeding of these animals as compared with 
the hunter and hack horses of forty or fifty years ago—they are 
altogether different animals in shape, power, and endurance com¬ 
pared with the horses of that period. The old style and formation 
of both hunters and hacks has been crossed out by the racing or 
pure “blood” stock, and instead of the strong, short-backed, 
weight-carrying animals we have now and then a good animal, 
but generally a generation of nondescript animals with inferior 
legs and weak constitutions. They may, however, in all their 
variations answer the purpose of the breeders to some extent, for 
the demand for them is now divided between the hunting and 
harness horses and that which draws the tradesman’s advertising 
van, so that really there is little inducement to attempt to re¬ 
establish the old style and type once so much valued in this country 
by both breeder and mer. 
Pigs.—For the best Berkshire boars and sows of different ages 
the competition was good, and the prizes were taken by Mr. E, 
Tombs, Bampton, Oxon ; Mr. C. E. Duckering, Kirton, Lindsey ; 
Mr. H. Humphrey, Shrivenham ; Mr. Russell, Swanwick College 
Farm, Cirencester; and the Messrs. Hewer of Sevenbampton, 
Wilts. Having given the names of the prizewinners it will enable 
parties to know of whom to obtain the best stock. This breed is 
well known to be adapted for the production of the best bacon, 
as they afford a good proportion of fat and lean meat ; they 
are also very prolific, and are usually good mothers. The large 
white breed were not represented on this occasion, which we 
regret, because we know they are so valuable for crossing with 
the Berkshire ; in fact, we think this cross is more profitable than 
any pure breed, as they come earlier to maturity by making the best 
quarter pork at the earliest age. For the best pair of sows of a 
small white breed, only one entry by Her Majesty the Queen. 
These were, however, very choice animals, and bred at the Shaw 
Farm, Windsor. For Sussex pigs the prizewinners being Mr. J. 
Kent, Bognor, Sussex ; Messrs. Stanford, Steyning ; and Mr. 
Wheeler, Shepston-on-Stour. Each of these exhibitors entered 
some capital specimens of this breed, which are much approved 
in some southern districts. The show of pigs as a whole was 
adverse in one respect—that is, as breeding stock being too fat, 
and, in the helpless condition in which they were shown, were for 
the most part incapable of propagating their species. 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
Uoi'se Labour .—At intervals when the farm horses are not required 
in actual cultivation of the land, such as ploughing, harrowing, 
rolling, &c., chalk and lime may be carted to the farm, the former 
being placed near to where it will be required in dressing the land, 
the latter to be stored in a dry outbuilding ready for use during the 
autumn. After the field hay has been cleared it will be found in 
various instances, especially on the mixed soils in the enclosed dis¬ 
tricts, that there will be some couch grass in the Clover lea. Wher¬ 
ever this is found to be the case—and it is unfortunately but too 
common, in consequence of several difficult seasons when the land 
could not be effectively fallowed—the lea land should be rafter- 
ploughed and then scarified with Coleman’s implement, not using the 
shares but the points only, in order that the land may be laid up 
rough, and in this way the white roots of the couch will be lifted out 
of the land to be dealt with and worked out by dragging, harrowing, 
rolling, &c., instead of being partially left in the land by the cutting 
action of the shares. After the land has been cleared of couch, 
which it may be by several scarifyings, the dung intended for the 
Wheat crop may then be laid out and spread, and about the last 
week in August or the first week in September the land may be 
ploughed and pressed, and thus remain to get mellow and stale, and 
only be worked down fine just before the act of drilling the seed for 
Wheat. Any light work, such as second or third scarifying, may be 
done with the strong iron-framed horse hoe, using the points or tines 
only, and drawn only by one horse, and in this way any remaining 
couch roots will be effectually removed at little cost, because the 
one horse will do 2J acres per day, whereas Coleman’s heavy imple¬ 
ment would scarcely do 4 acres per day with three horses attached. 
It is, however, very important that the animals for single horse 
labour should be powerful, active, and in good condition ; the strongest 
horse hoe should be obtained, so that it may be available not only for 
forcing root crops, but with appropriate shares, knives, and tines be 
cajiable of hoeing corn crops and doing scarifying work as well. 
Hand Labour. —The hay in the backward districts and in the irri¬ 
gated meadows everywhere will still be in the process of cutting, 
making, carting, stacking, &c. Great delay has taken place, for 
some time past owing to showery weather, and considerable injury 
has been done to the hay crop. We therefore recommend in order to 
restore to some extent the lost condition and feeding value, the use 
and application at the time of stacking of certain spice or flavouring 
materials. The men will also be employed in tucking and trimming 
the hay stacks, and in drawing and piling straw for thatching, &c. 
