NOVEMBER 383 



well bred as any other pedigree red-polls in East Anglia, nor do I 

 think that their stamp is inferior to that of such herds as I 

 have seen. Of course, however, one cannot expect much of this 

 sort of trade from local sources, since the average East Anglian 

 stock-keeper seems to me to be quite careless as to the class of 

 animal he rears. The person who tries to buy young homebreds 

 on the market for fatting purposes very soon finds this out, as it is 

 almost impossible to get them of sufficient quality. This is the 

 more strange since it has been proved over and over again that 

 well-bred animals lay on flesh much faster and do better generally 

 than those of low degree. 



November 8. Yesterday we began carting the beet from 

 the top of the pit field, No. 23, and it is now that we see the 

 results of that noble mixture, Bungay compost. I believe that 

 there is half as much weight again per acre on this field as on any 

 other root land which I farm. Moreover the roots, although not of 

 the large, coarse variety, have defied the drought, and in some 

 instances, at any rate, are perfect specimens of what high-class 

 beet should be. 



To-day the morning was very beautiful, nor during the whole 

 year do I remember a scene of more singular and peaceful charm 

 than that which I witnessed in the Buildings stackyard. Bright 

 sunshine poured upon the meadows beyond me, and high 

 against the tender blue of heaven wheeled the chattering daws. 

 Perched on the surrounding trees, the loud-voiced rooks croaked 

 solemnly, as is their fashion at this season, while a grey-breasted 

 lloyston crow, like the mischievous thief he is, sailed across the 

 field searching the ground with his keen eyes in the hope of finding 

 carrion or some sick and wounded thing which he could peck to 

 death. At the sound of the gate as I shut it the ewes looked 

 up and ran forward in the eager hope of being led to fresh 

 supplies of food, but not recognising in me their accustomed 

 guide, stopped and began to crop the grass with a redoubled 

 energy to make up for the moment they had lost. Hopping on 



