8 THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FAEM. 



due use of their chop-sticks in the trough of mashed 

 meal and potato. But at night this will not do : 

 they die then by dozens, if neglected, from want of 

 warmth, the old duck obviously being unable to shelter 

 well above a dozen or so. The duty of the poultry- 

 woman is to catch all the others, and stow them away 

 in the back-kitchen in a hamper or covered basket 

 in some wool, under which is placed a hot bottle. 

 They are thus in the morning bright and fresh, to 

 tejoin their indefatigable mamma. We have lost but 

 few since we adopted this system. 



I have just been shown another greatly improved 

 grass mower. Of machinery I am very fond ; and once 

 again, as so often before, is suggested to my mind the 

 inquiry, why won't the machine -makers take fair pains, 

 and improve their implements to the utmost before 

 they bring them out ? 



For their own sakes it were advisable. Not only 

 would their sale be vastly increased, but the farmer 

 would have some comfort in buying. I have of late, as 

 many others that I know, become wary of sinking my 

 money in useless or improveable implements. I have 

 had two mowers and two reaping machines on a 

 small holding, and they were all comparative failures. 

 The defects we soon perceived, but could not remedy. 

 Why could not the makers have fairly tested their 

 model, and, on finding that in work the gi-ass clogged 

 in front, have improved the machinery at once ? It 

 were undoubtedly their interest to do so. I have men- 

 tioned the mower, but my remarks must be under- 

 stood to apply to all other new implements. Farmers 

 get disgusted, and afi*aid to purchase. It reminds one 

 of an auctioneer of ponies, the other day. " This is 



