84 A FARMER'S YEAR 



however, and went on fairly until to-day. Then, as Hood was on 

 his way to visit them, he met the boy whose business it is to feed 

 the beasts at Baker's running to seek him in great fright with 

 the news that one of the oxen (of course the biggest and best) 

 was 'blown.' Blown he was sure enough, for there he lay on 

 his back, swollen to almost twice his size, his legs feebly kicking 

 in the air. He must have been in this condition for some time, 

 perhaps the best part of an hour, and, had the case been reported 

 at once, probably he could have been cured by means of a 

 drink such as all cattle-owners keep at hand. But lads are not so 

 observant as they might be, and thus it came about that the youth 

 in charge never noticed his condition until too late, though I think 

 that he will be more careful in future. Blowing, or 'hoven/it 

 may be explained for the benefit of the uninitiated, results from the 

 gluttony of cattle, that sometimes fill themselves so full with food 

 that in the fermentation which ensues there is no room for the 

 gases to escape. Then the pressure seems to close the pipes, and 

 they fall upon their backs, where they lie kicking violently until 

 the gases, pushing upon the heart, stop it, and the interesting 

 sufferer expires, like one of the early English kings, from 'a surfeit 

 of good cheer.' 



Finding that the beast was dying, Hood, having nothing at 

 hand with which to despatch him, drove as hard as he could to 

 Bungay and brought back the butcher. Then, not without 

 difficulty, the dead animal was hauled on to a cart and taken 

 to the town to be opened. It was curious to watch the demeanour 

 of the other oxen in the yard while these melancholy scenes were, 

 in progress. They sniffed at the carcass, whisked their tails, 

 and gambolled awkwardly as though they were experiencing 

 some gentle and pleasing excitement. I have often heard it 

 said that cattle are terrified at the smell of blood, but in 

 this case I could not see a sign of fear about them, although 

 undoubtedly they understood that something unusual was 

 going on. 



It would be interesting if anyone could discover what is the 



