THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FARM. 229 



He has quite the manner and the gesture those vaga- 

 bonds indulge in. 



1 wish the old trees would abstain from falling. They 

 involve so much expense in cutting up into logs for par- 

 lour use ; and then when they do get burnt the effect 

 they produce individually is so transitory, just a " kiss 

 me quick and go " sort of flame, and a few thimblefulls 

 of ash. Men talk, and with reason, of wood-ash being 

 so excellent an ingredient in manure, but bless me, 

 where can it come from in sufficient quantity ? 



What a difference it makes if one can only abstain 

 from feeding down the pasture intended for hay after 

 February 2nd, or even the end of the last year if possible. 



A neighbour told me the other day that he never 

 shuts up his meadows until April 1st. I am glad that 

 I did not adopt that line of policy myself this year. We 

 shall have a great portion to mow the next month, and 

 what an advantage that will be in case, as is predicted, 

 we have this summer again the terrific drought of last 

 year. 



What famous stuff lucerne is ! We are cutting it 

 nearly a foot high now for the stable ; the vetches being 

 not nearly ready. I have come decidedly to the opinion 

 that it should be sown in drills, although many advocate 

 its being put in broadcast. It is so troublesome to weed 

 it when sown after the latter plan. This soil suits it. 

 The gypsum in the red marl, which makes the well- 

 water so disagreeably hard, is favourable to the growth 

 of this plant. 



I hope Mr. Bowly, who has been so spirited a partner 

 of Mr. Rich's, will have a good sale to-day. He has 

 given 500 guineas for another bull, from Captain Gunter, 

 it is rumoured. 



