The San Francisco call., 1897-07-25
LARGEST FARM IN ENGLAND
1t Is Situated in Linco1nshir- and Con-
tains Over $500 Acres.

tains Over $500 Acres.
1t may not generally be known, but it is
fact, that the largest farm in England is
in Lincolnshire. Five miles from Louth,
on the Louth and Lincoln line, is the
parish of WithcaIl. The farm occupies
The entire parish, and its area is upward
of $3.50 acres Nearly 2000 acres are under
the plough, and from that may be gath
cred an idea of the number of Lorses re-
quired to work this large undertaking.
The farm is SO large that three yards
are needed. They are named the North
Yard, the South YARD and the Home
Yard. There is also a smaller supple
mentary one-the New Farmstead. Ten
cottages form the homes OF the laborers at
the North and South yards, while near
tho Home Yard is situated Withcall
House, the residence OF J. W. Ward Esq,
the lessee of the farm. The railway runs
close by. Near are also the church,
prettily built edihce and pleasantly sltu-
ated-the rectory and the schools. The
district is very hilly, and in consequence
of this there have been made two large
cuttings so as 10 form road to the North
Farm. In one of them may be seen thin
bed of fuller's earth.
Down the valley, which is crossed by an
EN- bankment formed of the chalk taken
from the cuttings. may be seen small
reservoir. This supplies the whole parish
with water.
Some years ago the owner, Mr.. Clayton
caused pipes to ba laid all over the farm !,
so as to supply both houses and cattle.
The water is forced from the reservoir by
a very ingenious contrivance, consisting
of q water-wheel and donkey" pump.
There are. roughly speaking. about six
miles of water-pipes. The water is ex-
ceptionally good, and throu shout the dri-
est of summers there is always constant
supply
There are large number of animals on
the place, including about seventy work
ing horses, upward of 500 beasts, 5000
sheep, and pigs at the last census num-
bered 100. Tne farm is made up of large
fields, eight of which are over 100 acres in
area. A few years ago the owner caused
one of the fields 10 be cut up, for its area
was over 500 acres. A part of the same
field now measures 130 acres. A steam
is constantly at work, while twelve horse s
may often be sc. IN plowing in one field.
The cattle are sent into the marshes"
for the summer and brought home in the
autumn. Everythin is clean and neatly
kept, ard it requires no great discrimina-
tive power to know when the limit of
Withcall farm is reached.
A great feature is the plowing, for the
''boys" take perfect pride in their fur
rows, and if any one wants TO see a furrow
a quarter OF a mile long and as straight as
dart let him inspect the work on this
expansive farm.
Agricultural depression does not seem,
outwardly al any rate, 10 affect this dis
trict to any remarkable degree. The aver
age wage is Is 81 per day for six days, all
of equal length. no Saturday half holiday
being allowed hereabout.
Potatoes are largely grown by the labor
ers, who by the kindness OF their master
are enabled to have large plat of land in
the fields. besides their own gardens.
Scientific farming there is none here, but
all Engaged have long experience on the
land, and know how best to derive from it
the greatest benef efit.-Tit-Bits.