120 A FARMER'S YEAR 



Miss Pegotty, I am thankful to say, found her legs a day, or 

 two back, and is now making a good recovery. Had it gone 

 otherwise it would have been a sad loss. 



To-day the Ape field, No. 27, was drilled with barley, which 

 went in beautifully. When I crawled away in company with the 

 doctor the drill had just moved into the four-acres opposite, 

 No. 25, but I do not know if it finished there to-night. 



February 28. On the 26th we drilled the three-and-a-half 

 acres on All Hallows, No. 33, with barley. The cultivator, that is 

 a heavy instrument with hook-shaped teeth, was put through it in 

 the morning dragged by three horses, after which it was cross- 

 harrowed. Thus it took all day to drill this little field and harrow 

 the seed in. 



Yesterday, Sunday, was squally and cold, with rain in the 

 morning, and to-day there is a nor'-west gale with intervals of 

 sunshine. We have dragged the nine-acre on All Hallows, 

 No. 36, with the cultivator and drilled about half of it, the barley 

 going in so well that I think it will puzzle the rooks to find it 

 beneath the fine mould. This morning I was marking the trees 

 that have to come out from the Bath Hills. We are so busy that 

 it is hard to find time for tree-cutting this year ; but as the Lodge 

 has been let to a tenant for a term from next September, I am 

 anxious to get them out and have done with it in order to avoid 

 disturbance beyond the house during his occupation, as everything 

 felled on that portion of the Vineyard Hills must be carted down 

 the drive. Also, we need the timber for the iron-roofed sheds 

 which I hope to put up over the various yards. It would be 

 very bad economy to buy oak and deal when we have stuff that 

 ' wants to come out ' which will serve our turn. 



I know of nothing in life that needs more discretion than the 

 marking of trees, unless it be an attempt to patch up a family 

 quarrel. I am supposing, of course, that the trees are being cut 

 more with a view to the advantage of the survivors and of the 

 plantation generally than for simple profit. One may have the 



