210 THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FARM. 



another burning fragment came loosened down. Again 

 and again, and the conflagration was extinct. Con- 

 sidering that the mixture had been made only a few 

 moments it was really a wonderful performance. I 

 shall keep the engine now always charged and ready. 

 The theory of the effect is this : the mixture produces 

 in the barrel a quantity of what is known in mines as 

 the fatal fire-damp, so largely diluted with water as to 

 be not injurious to human life, while every drop that 

 touches flame extinguishes it. I had always before 

 been puzzling myself how I could store a sufficiency of 

 water to meet the contingencies of fire. No more 

 anxiety on that score. 



Honour, too, to another device. Shorthorn breeders 

 will remember my mentioning once a set of clever oil- 

 sketches of my pet animals that were done for me by 

 Mr. Edward Corbet. A few weeks since I was applied 

 to from a distance for a young bull. I sent pedigree 

 and pictures of sire and dam. The animal was pur- 

 chased and gives most thorough satisfaction. How 

 simple the process ! 



And now let me turn to the farm, more strictly 

 speaking. The lambing season has progressed most 

 favourably, as yet, owing, I think, to the ewes having 

 been evenly fed throughout the winter. 



One of Jonas Webb's best sort had, however, a 

 squeak for it as men say, the other day. She was 

 actually upon the barrow to be killed, and the butcher 

 fetched, when the bailiff's heart failed him. His 

 anxiety occasionally renders his measures too impetuous. 

 His heart failed him. She was returned to the fold to 

 " take her chance," and she gradually produced no less 

 than four lambs ! No wonder she was distressed. 



