OAK ,05 



primarily, were on insufficient diet of acorns, he per- 

 force, secondarily, had to go on short commons of pork, 

 and so, the acorn crop being a failure, he starved. 



We have been told by farmers that if pigs are allowed 

 to eat too freely of acorns the resulting bacon is wantino- 

 in firmness and good quality, but we are possibly in this 

 matter more critical than our forefathers. According to 

 Harrison, however, as we read in his Description of 

 England, this view that acorns are not a suitable diet either 

 for pigs or poultry would appear to be a very just one : 



" In time of plenty of mast, our red and fallow deere 

 will not let to participat thereof with our hogs, more than 

 our nete : yea, our common pultrie also, if they may come 

 vnto them. But as this abundance dooth prooue verie 

 pernicious vnto the first, so the egs which these latter doo 

 bring foorth (beside blackenesse in color and bitternesse 

 of tast), haue not seldome beene found to breed diuerse 

 diseases vnto such persons as haue eaten of the same." 



It will be noted that the word "let" has its old sense 

 of hinder, and not its modern and contrary significance 

 of permit. The passage tells us that when the acorns 

 are ripe the wild forest deer have no notion of being 

 hindered from being participants in Nature's bounty, but 

 claim full share with the farmer's hogs and stock generally. 

 Tusser, we see, strongly advises that the " nete " should 

 not be allowed to share in this feasting. 



To gather some mast, it shal stand thee vpon, 

 with seruant and children, er mast be al gon : 



Some left among bushes shal pleasure thy swine, 

 for feare of a mischiefe keepe acorns fro kine. 



We are startled by the assertions of ancient writers, 



