1 88 



A FARMER'S YEAR 



wrong, or in all at 174/. \os. On this estimate they will, I fear, 

 still show a loss. Speaking roughly, they have eaten about 30/. 

 worth of corn and cake, in addition to great ijuantities of root, hay 

 and straw. 



Writing on a later date I turn back to this page of my diary 

 dealing with the subject of these bullocks, since it seems the best 

 place in which to interpolate the final accounts now available after 

 the decease of the last of them. 



170 7 6 ' 227 7 o 



From this interesting account it would appear that in return 

 for the pleasure of housing, feeding, and caring for that choice lot 

 of imported cattle I am out of pocket to the tune of 56/. \t)S. 6d., 

 plus whatever bill the veterinary may think it just and right to 

 present for his attendance upon them. They were the most vora- 

 cious animals that ever I had to do with, and I believe the esti- 

 mate for root, &c., which they ate to be absolutely correct ; further, 

 it will be observed that nothing has been set down for labour, 

 because we reckon that the manure they leave in the yard pays 

 for the labour. Also they were the most unhealthy, for, not- 

 withstanding every care, one or other of them was continually 

 ailing, and I hear that the last which has been killed, although he 

 weighed fairly well, was discovered to be suffering from long- 

 standing disease of the liver. 



It may be urged that I was very unlucky with two of these 

 animals, but even on the supposition that they had fetched 40/. 

 instead of 14/. lo.v., which would have brought up the total pro- 



