36 THE EQUIPMENT OF THE FARM. 



the midst of these activities comes haymaking, first on the 

 uplands, and then on the water meadows ; and harvest is 

 generally announced "before the last load of hay is hrought 

 in. There is no rest after harvest. There is a positive 

 excitement to get in trifolium seed, as the success of this 

 important crop depends upon early sowing. Wheat stubbles 

 must be cleaned, and got into rye, vetches, and winter 

 barley, for spring feed ; and then there is the wheat land 

 to plough up, and get ready for sowing. It is a busy and 

 exciting time from January 1 to December 31, and teams 

 are working at high pressure the whole twelvemonth. 



This system entails a large amount of capital, a large 

 outlay in labour, and a long seed bill. The valuation made 

 at Michaelmas, on moderate estimate, amounted in 1880 

 to 7451, or 13 18s. 6d. per acre ; in 1881, to 7129 

 3s. 9d., or 13 6s. Qd. ; in 1882, to 7906 14s. 6d., or 

 14 7s. U. 



Twenty-two dairy cows, two heifers, and two dry cows 

 are valued at 392 10s. The valuation of the flock (Hamp- 

 shire Down sheep) is higher than usual, on account of the 

 extraordinary rise in the value of sheep stock of all kinds ; 

 200 ewe tegs, at 50s. ; 300 4 and 6-tooth ewes, at 75s. ; 1 

 ram ; 10 small ram lambs, at 45s. ; 8 ram lambs at 70s. ; 

 and 200 2-tooth ewes, at 75s. The whole sheep-stock is 

 valued at 2432. Fourteen horses and 2 ponies are 

 valued at 482; and nearly 100 pigs of all ages at 

 140 ; and there are 22-worth of poultry. The 

 list of implements for this farm of 550 acres of light, 

 chiefly arable land, is given as follows : 5 ploughs, 

 3-furrow plough, 2-wheel presser, 3-wheel do. covered 

 waggon, 5 waggons, water-cart, 8 dung carts, 2 pony 

 carts, spring cart, 2 shepherds' houses on wheels 2 



