156 A FARMER'S YEAR 



carrots. Of this pestilent stuff there seems to be no end ; I sup- 

 pose that the soil of the field is particularly well suited to its 

 growth. Already this year we have burnt a great quantity, and 

 still there is more to be destroyed. 



Several of the lambs are still sick and stiff, but I do not think 

 that any more will die. Hood and I counted them by opening 

 the back lawn gate a little way and allowing the flock to rush 

 through, which it did eagerly, imagining that there was something 

 fresh to eat on the other side. There are now fifty-two lambs left, 

 the balance, with the exception of a few that the butcher has 

 taken, having deceased. 



Yesterday, Friday, was dull and cold with a north-east wind. 

 We drilled the beet on Baker's (half of No. 44), using the Tankard 

 variety, which on the whole we have found about the best for this 

 land, and among it some cabbage as usual. Also we rolled pease, 

 beans, and barley, to press the earth about their roots and 

 discomfort some of the grubs and insects at work beneath. As in the 

 case of the harrowing about which I have spoken, it seems 

 extraordinary that the passing of a heavy roller over young pease 

 and beans should not crush or greatly injure them. Yet this is 

 not the case they bow their heads to the roll and for a while look 

 a little depressed, but on the following day they are as upright and 

 smiling as ever. One cart was employed carrying root to the 

 sheds ; it is astonishing what an amount of time and labour is 

 taken up in this needful operation when there are many cattle to 

 be fed and the hales in some instances lie at a distance from the 

 buildings. 



The sheep have taken to scouring, though whether owing to 

 the grass being lush after the wet, or to their eating it while the 

 night frosts are still upon it, I do not know. As a remedy we are 

 folding them on the Buildings-meadow, No. 6, and giving them 

 some dry food in the shape of corn and hay to eat at night. This 

 will do the field, which is one of my young pastures, great good, 

 and, I hope, cure the sheep of their ailment. I notice that now, 

 when they have had a bite at the new grass, the ewes will not 



