124 TiMEHRI, 



always kept in the cellar, and the butter-making was 

 either done by my mother or under her supervision, to 

 supply a grocery in the city with fresh butter at i/6 per 

 lb. There were in all 12 milkers, 2 bulls, and 6 oxen 

 for the plough. At the rear of the house was the sheep 

 pen, shaded by two evergreen trees ; it was always a 

 difficult matter for me, to reckon the number of sheep 

 as they crossed and recrossed the path of each other 

 in their eagerness to get out of the gate and on to the 

 pasture in the morning. The pig-sty was somewhat 

 removed from the dwelling, walled round, and about 4 

 feet high, with a small iron gate through which could 

 be seen the old sow with a large litter of pigs, and several 

 fine boars partitioned off, fattening for the butcher. 

 The poultry yard was an interesting feature as it was 

 alive with choice feathered stock. The utmost care 

 seems to have been bestowed on the Turkey cocks, for 

 as now, these fowls brought as high as 1/ per lb. live 

 Vv-eight, and everyone who reared them tried his best to 

 get them to turn the scales at 20 lbs. 



There were also numerous Guinea fowl, which from 

 their semi-wild habits could only be found in the fields 

 and hedges, and required shooting when wanted. Their 

 nests were frequently stumbled upon accidentally, re- 

 vealing rich treasures, of generally several dozen eggs. 

 The Guinea fowls are sold at the present time as high as 

 10/ per pair. The beehive was situated near the garden 

 at the front of the house, and sheltered by the spreading 

 frangipanni tree. Many gallons of honey were expressed 

 at each season, which, when carefully prepared, most 

 certainly brought a good return. There was not much 

 pasture land about the place, but nevertheless everything 



