January 1st 1914. Thursday.

I began the New Year very badly by allowing the sun to get up or nearly so before me, but I was utterly unaware of it until too late, of course we didn't pretend to do any thing but chores so it didn't matter much. We got every thing done up and I got dressed ready for dinner at Aunty Maude's which was supposed to be at half past one sharp, but as Tiddums went to sleep and they didn't like to wake him, Dad, Enah, Roy & Frank didn't get down till about half past two, but I went down on time and told Aunty Maude how things stood. However when we did get after the turkey we soon polished him off. Dad, Tiddums and I came home about five and did chores and minded Tiddums by turns. Roy had to go back to-night and Enah and Frank went down to the station to see him off Enah and Aunty Maude also went over to Mrs. Johnson's reception where Winnie was tending door. Mrs. Johnson's sent word over to have Huby go over this morning, as she wanted a man to be the first caller on New Year's day. Dick was skating all the afternoon and I guess it is great on the pond. Enah came home after dark and Frank and Lila a little later. Huby and Aunty Maude went up to Mrs. Belle's to a party, Winnie came over to Aunt Lucy's and Quint is capable of looking after himself so Lila came over here to stay all night. Ed. was over here just before Dad. went down town this morning to talk over the coming election. Ed. says he has gone over the voters' list and given Vyse all the

doubtful ones and has I think one hundred and fifty something votes to Vyse's one hundred and ten, but still Dad. is shaking in his shoes for fear of Ed. being defeated. Dad. sent a card to Rus. Lampkins to-day saying to come down to morrow if at all possible and put up the windmill. It has been freezing and cloudy all day but nice. The wind is rising to-night.

Friday January 2nd

Rus. Lampkins came at last this morning, he and his man have been here all day and now have the windmill all put to-gether and all ready to erect. I expected to see them build it up but instead of that they put the whole thing to-gether on the ground and rais it with, ropes, pulleys and a team. Huby and Quint came over at noon, Huby was up at his party till three o'clock so didn't get up this morning. He put in the after noon digging the holes for the foundation of the legs, they are just a little inside of the old legs and as they have been put in with stone and brick piled around them he had a fierce time but got them nearly dug. Frank went over and borrowed Tupper's post hole digger and that helped a lot as it will pick out a good sized stone. Chris Quanbury came over this morning and took 16 of the roosters. Lila has been over all day but went home with them to-night. Old Mrs. Martin and {Mrs. Atkinson?} were over this after noon. Cloudy with raw wind, not very cold.

Saturday January 3rd

It has been a very disagreeable day, it was just spitting snow when we went out this morning and threatened to clear up several times during the fore noon, but after dinner it settled in to snow and stayed right at it till by to-night there was a blinding snow storm raging, before tea the flakes were big and wet but there is quite a north east wind and the snow is drifting. First thing this morning Jim Waddle drove in canvassing for Aikens but Dad. didn't promise him his vote. When he left Rus. Lampkins and his man came, and soon after them Huby and Lila, although they were very doubtful about the weather permitting them to finish the job. We worked all morning digging the holes and Rus. levelled the little tank up and fitted the overflow pipe into it, after dinner they set two of the legs in cement, they just put a little cement in the bottom of the holes around the plates which are bolted on to the legs, and filled the rest up with clay. He said he didn't like to set the other two feet till he got the mill up and saw just where the wanted to go, and he couldn't raise it to-day on account of the snow, he said he would get his ropes all wet, so they left about three o'clock or a little after. Huby and Lila went at the same time. Rus. sized up the kitchen at noon and said he could put in a sink and all fittings from cistern to sink and all for about $9.00 Dad. thinks he will let him. We put the three heifers in the cow stable to-night but let John go loose in there we had a bad time tying Snowdrop up as she was frightened

Sunday January 4th

When we got up this morning which was late we found ourselves almost snowed in, so we had to get right to work and spend an hour or two shovelling ourselves out, but by breakfast which we had some where in the vicinity of ten o'clock we had the buildings pretty well connected by canals through the drifts, some of the paths are pretty roundabout but we took advantage of all bare spots along the sides of the buildings and made them part of the paths. We put in the rest of the day doing chores Dick couldn't very well get down town this after noon so he slept till noon and this after noon he helped us move the piano from the parlor to the living room and Enah played for us most of the afternoon. Tiddums also tore off a little ragtime for us but spent most of his time on the floor. No one has been off the place to-day and no outsider been on it. It has been cloudy (mostly) cold and windy but as the snow had packed a little it didn't drift much to-day, it is milder to-night.

Monday January 5th

Dad hooked up Joe to the cutter and drove the boys down this morning as Frank had to start back to school, the drifts were pretty bad but he only had to break the trail to the corner as Ed. Forest had been up to Ivey's. Dad noticed just before he started out that Joe had rubbed the skin all off under her fetlock we supposed on Ginger's rope, she has been pretty sore on it all day. Dad. came right back and we did up all the chores this morning. After dinner we both drove down town. Dad. voted for Ed. and then I don't know where he went as there is a new law or else an old one being enforced that no one except the candidate can drive a voter to the polls, so Dad. lent Ed. the horse to do a little canvassing with, we took Belle because Dad. thought if he was allowed to drive any elderly ladies to vote they would not be at all afraid to ride behind Belle and they might be with Joe and Joe's leg was sore and Belle needed the exercise. I went around and got my hair cut and hung around all the after noon although things were very quiet. Dad. and Frank went home about five but as I had to be down at the band room at seven o'clock I didn't go home to tea but stayed at Huby's and Dad. and Frank drove down again with my horn. Quint and I were up in Jim Low's pool room when they were counting ballots, when we thought they ought to be about through we came down and the first person we saw was Hugh McQueen and my heart dropped when he told us that Vyse had beat Ed. by 40 of course we thought he was lying but on going down street we found Ed. in the Dominion, and it was all too true, although it is rather hard to understand. The councillors are Freeman Henderson, Billy Langs, Ward Sovereign and R.M. Taylor. I was up at the band room soon after seven and all the boys were there except Murphy and Fred Warren although they were both in town. and they say

Murphy was the one who first proposed that we go out to-night, but they suppose he was a little sore at the way things went, he should have seen Harry Moon who must have been as much disappointed as any of us and yet went out and enjoyed himself as much as any one. We started out soon after seven with Al. Martin and Douglas the Scotchman hauling Harry Dyer and his drum on a hand sleigh in the {car?} and followed by a large number of kids ranging from those about two sizes larger than Tiddums right up to those old enough to know better, and we had Barge Waddles {Jeik?} McDonald, Tisy and Ceicl Schram as torch bearers. Of course we set out for Vyse's first but by the time we got over the hill our horns were frozen solid so we had to go in to Carl Coleman's to thaw them out we got treated there to wine and fruit cake and in return played a measly waltz, which I got hopelessly mixed up in, we then went up to Vyse's and by the time we got there my horn was frozen solid and I had to thaw it out on a torch we got more wine and fruit cake in there to say nothing of the eloquent speeches of Walt. and Vyse, the former extending congratulations on behalf of the band and the latter slobbering smooth {loush} all over us, intimating how grand and fortunate for the band to have had him in the past and to have him again in the future. Dover's chief cook and bottle washer. We then dropped in on Uncle Ward where we got a royal reception, Aunty Maude, Win and Lila were all there and Huby had been over with some cider which was very much enjoyed by all who partook of it, we also had coffee, cake and oranges fixed up, as we were leaving Uncle Ward. remembered he had a box of cigars for us so chased us out into the snow to give them to us. I didn't take one but induced Pud. Slocombe to give me a few puffs on his, he became alarmed for fear I was going to keep it so knocked it out of my mouth into the snow but smoked it all the way down town then volunteered the information that it had been too much for him, our next call was on Mr. Taylor, but we had to thaw our horns out first at Bob. Rankin's before we could make our presence known to R.M. He didn't ask us in but made a donation to the band and passed around more cigars one of which I collared and smoked (foolishly I suppose) and was not bothered by Pud. claiming any puffs or by any feeling that it was too much for me. The next man on our calling list was Henderson and we thawed out at Mr. Thompson's before doing our little stunt for him. He made another donation and speech which contained the information that his house was much too small for us, which we know to be perfectly correct. Walt also gave his recitation which he had pretty well off by heart at this time, the same as we had the piece of music which he had us play and every stop. Billy Langs living farthest away was the last councillor for us, so we beat our steps for his domain. None of our number resided in that vicinity so we called unceremoniously on George Steel to be warmed up. George told us we were a hot bunch to come in on a feller with out being asked and that Bill Langs had just as much gas as he did but he lit another fire for us and we rattled off "We wont go

home till morning" for him, he said it was pretty poor playing and sounded to him just like "To hell with Bill Langs. To hell with Bill {Young?}. When we went over to Billys he took us in and fed us up properly. I had got pretty well filled up before though so didn't partake of much We were there quite awhile and on coming out trailed down street in any old order playing "Marching throu Georgia" and such airs as we didn't need music for. I know I was coming down Main street beside Carl who banged the drum, with Harry Moon ahead of me and leads and other parts both ahead and behind. It was getting late but at the door of the Dominion we found George Hammond who we had heard had beaten Aikens by 109 votes so we went inside and kicked up a little row in honor of him Gundry who was last on the list of township councillors was also there. Hammond bought cigars but I {let}bad enough alone. We played The "Campbells are comin" in which the horns drone on one note with out music. Harry struck the note but neither of us remember the name of it, I got Eb which sounded about like Harry's and played it all through finding out after wards that it was the wrong note the right one being Ab. but Enah said that it would not be a discord although I guess it wouldn't have mattered much if it was and mabee would have been better to give the desired bagpipe effect. We then broke up, and went home I picked Dick up or at least he fell in with me as he had been spending the evening at the Dyer's and we got home about twelve. Every body was in bed of course but Dad. was not asleep as he was brooding over the elections, the only bright spot in the whole day for him was a little incident this morning. When he was coming down Main street after leaving Frank at school, old man Stringer hailed him and asked him for a ride down town Dad. pulled up and growled at him to get in and then said he supposed he was going down to kill his (Dads) vote 'Ah!' says old Henry "I dont know". "Well I know" Dad said good and savagely "darned well you are". They hadn't got quite to old Henry's place and hadnt gone half a block when he thought he would like to get out home and change his clothes, but Dad. assured him that his clothes were plenty good enough for the man he was going to vote for, however the old boy disembarked and told Dad. he thought he had used him a little rough, he had always had a great admiration for him Dad. said he had a mighty queer way of showing it. But what tickled Dad. about it was that Jack Martin told him to-night that old Henry has told the tale among the Vysebites. It has been a pretty nice day as far as the weather was concerned, and a beautiful night, clear, frosty and moonlight. It think it froze pretty hard before midnight judging from the looks of things and the way the boards in the side walks scrunched and creaked, I didn't feel a bit cold although I had no overcoat or gloves on I think it turned milder towards morning.

Tuesday January 6th

Dad. drove the boys down this morning and got a sack of flour. Rus. Lampkins and his man came while he was gone but they

met him so he went around and got Huby. It took till noon to get everything ready to raise the wind mill as the snow made things nasty to work with, but right after dinner we raised it with out any trouble Harry and Bell walked it up nicely and by to-night it was all complete and pumping water, it works all right. Mr. Flemming was here to-day to invite us to go thrashing there to-morrow. It has been a raw, damp, miserable day and windy

Wednesday January 7th

Dad. went down to Sam. Laws this morning and got Jimmy to go over to Flemming's for us as he thought my cold would be pretty was too bad to go thrashing, and as they are coming here next we were too busy to go any way. After breakfast he drove the boys down to school & bank and saw Butler about getting a set of bobsleighs. Butler had sold the set which was there but was getting two more in a day or so. When Dad got home he went down and borrowed Alfred's. We did up the chores this morning as we had neglected a lot of yesterdays we had {lots} to do. After dinner we went down to Penmans to see if we could get a load of soft coal for the thrashers. Harry Moon said that the General Superintendent was there then and Henderson didn't like to sell any coal but we could get it if we came down after five to-night or early to-morrow morning, so we went down and weighed the sleighs and on our way home stopped in at Uncle Ward's to get some wood. He has some good apple wood which he split and piled in the shed last winter hoping to have it for his furnace but he found it smoked there so said we could have it. We got all that he had in the shed in two trips and put it in the wood shed here. He has some more long stuff piled out side but we didn't take it to-day. This was Dick's birthday but he didn't get home till late to-night. Fine and mild.

Thursday January 8th

Dad. and I went down right after breakfast this morning and got our load of Coal Dick rode down as far as the mill with us. We only got 1850 lbs. and as no one was around the office to pay we don't know how much it cost. It wasn't very good as there were hardly any big lumps, when we brought it home and unloaded it. Frank and I took the sleighs back to Alfred's as he wants to get a load of hard coal and Omar said it was going fast. Dad. did chores. This after noon we cleaned up the floor of the old barn and about five Enah and I drove down town for provisions Frank was sick last night and has not been at school all day. Dad. also feels pretty rotten with a cold so does Enah but Tiddums and mine are getting better I think. It has been cloudy but very soft all day it looked as though our sleighing wouldn't last long. There hasn't been wind enough to drive the wind mill since six o'clock this morning.

Friday January 9th

Dad. and I put in most of the morning cleaning up the

big barn floor and Dad. patched the weak spots. Jack McBride and Albert Reid brought over the wire fencing that Dad. ordered from Sid. McBride. He was in yesterday and said he would dump it off the car down there some place for us to get when we had time but as it is we are saved a trip. They finished at Flemming's soon after dinner and moved right over here, it took them quite awhile to get set and they didn't thrash any this afternoon. About four o'clock Frank and I drove down for some more provisions which Enah forgot to get yesterday. While I was waiting for him Johnny and Helen Anderson came along and expressed the desire to see New York so I took them for a swirl around half a dozen blocks or so. Jim Law was in this afternoon and only charged Dad. $3.00 for two days and a half thrashing. It has been very soft again all day. There wasn't enough wind to drive the windmill till late this after noon and then she pumped a trough tank full of water.

Saturday January 10th

We thrashed all day to-day in the alsike but didn't quite finish as the clover mill broke down some where this after noon and there is still another load or so in the mow, it hasn't turned out very well so far we have only got about seven bushels of seed. We put the straw out doors and I looked after it or at least was supposed to I have kind of a {stede?} & square one but of course it isn't topped out yet. It was rather hard to build owing to a strong nor' west wind. It was pretty rotten up there except just on the north west corner. I kept that corner pretty well tramped. Dad. hired Jim Law again and Tupper sent Jonas over. Mr. Flemming sent old Bill George and Bill sent Teddy. Dad. did all the chores and as Enah had no one to help her, he and Frank I think looked after Tiddums quite a lot. It has been much colder today, froze a little all day and windy with a little snow.

Sunday January 11th

Dad. and I did chores off and on all day and I read, shelled corn and darned a sock in the intervals. Frank was sick in the night and has felt very miserable all day hardly stirring away from the stove. Dick got up about noon and this after noon took Belle and went for a drive we are not sure who with, conscience tells us it was Dess. Dyer but Dick tells us it was Mr. Hobbes. He didn't stay long ast it was a nasty day but went down to the pond as soon as he got home he said there was a big bunch down there, he intended to go to church and I guess did. Allan Law came over this afternoon and put a little fire in the engine to warm up the water in the boiler. He said his father sprained his ankle last night and was pretty lame on it to-day. I was a beautiful sunny morning with out any wind but this after noon it got cloudy and blustery with a little snow and to-night there is a fierce south west wind with snow. Dad. had to kill one of the pigeons which came here from the shooting match to-day.

Monday January 12th

This has been the worst day we have had this winter. There has been a high north west wind and the snow blowing in clouds so that at times we couldn't see from the house to the barns, it has been very cold, and freezing hard all day. First thing this morning Mrs. McBride came over but of course didn't try to wash. Jonas and Ted. George came over too but there was no possibility of thrashing so they didn't stay long. I drove Dick down to the bank this morning and when I got back took Mrs. McBride home. The roads weren't impassable any where but our lane was drifted full in the road way so I had to go along the top of the bank next the lawn fence. We didn't try to do any thing but tend to the stock, not even clean out the horse stable. Allan Law came over this afternoon to put a fire in the engine to thaw her out. About five o'clock Dad. walked down town and got the mail and some whooping cough medicine from Dr. Cook for Tiddums as we are pretty sure he has it. He left word at Huby's for Dick to stay down all night. Frank was a little better to-day but feels pretty sick yet.

Tuesday January 13th

We didn't do any thing but chores and shovel snow all day. Mrs. McBride came this morning and was tuckered right out after her walk through the drifts. The road from here to the corner is impassable with a cutter and we shovelled a road out the lane. Ted George came over this morning thinking we would be thrashing but it was too cold so he played in the house with Frank most of the day building a swing bridge with Frank's Meccano. Sam and Allan came over this after noon to thaw out the boiler and fix the mill where it broke the other night. Sam said they never thrashed when it was below zero. They said it was 7° below zero down town this morning and I think it must have stayed about that all day for I had to spend about half the time keeping my hands and ears from freezing although it was a lovely sunny day with just breeze enough to run the windmill. Dick went to Simcoe to-night with a sleigh load which Billy Boughner took up and he said it was 16 below up there. In Toronto it was lower temperature than they had had for 27 years.

Wednesday January 14th

I didn't feel very well when I got up this morning, and while I was watering the horses a sick & weak feeling came on me and it was all I could manage to get to the house and flop myself on the sofa in the kitchen. I haven't done any thing but sit around the stove and read all day. To-night I went out to have a little tea but while I was at it I felt deathly sick and made for the door. I can just remember standing there for a minute and then tumbling over on the wood shed floor. Dad. and Enah hiked out and got me in on the sofa where I felt quite a lot better.

Ted. George was over again to-day but as they didn't thrash he helped Dad. do chores. Jonas was also over but didn't stay long. Dad. and Ted went down with the team this morning and got the bobsleighs from Butler, this after noon they put the box on them and went down town again for groceries and got a load of apple wood at Uncle Ward's, this is smaller limbs than the last we got and will have to be sawed a couple of times I guess they thought it was too cold to thrash again to day but we would have been short handed anyway with me sick and Jim. Law has gone to Stratford to a cheese makers convention. It has not been quite so cold as yesterday but more windy and with a little snow. Frank put in the day fixing a spring on Tiddum's carriage and fixing locks on various doors in the house

Wednesday Thursday January 15th

Although not quite O.K. I felt ever so much better to-day and was able to do quite a few little chores and fix a bit of sacking in the chicken house window to keep the snow out. Sam & Allan were in this morning and said they thought if it was fair they would thrash Saturday, but we saw Allan again this after noon and he said they would get at it to-morrow. Ted. and Jonas both came over again. Jonas went on over to Tupper's to work but Ted. stayed here all day and chopped wood. This after noon we hooked up Joe and Ginger to the bob-sleighs and Dad. Ted and I drove down town and got the mail. We saw Dick but as there is a dance on to-night he didn't come home with us for Wiggins is going to press his every day pants for him. Very soft and cloudy all day looks like rain.

Friday January 16th

Sam Law came over soon after daylight this morning but as it was raining then he didn't know whether to fire up or not, but at last decided to, as it let up a little it took an hour or two to get any steam for some reason or other and it was after ten before they got started to thrash and then a belt broke and it took half an hour to fix it. Ted. George was the only man to show up early Jim Law came over the middle of the fore noon and Jonas in time for dinner he was over at Tupper's. There was only a little alsike left and we just got about a bushel of seed out of it. They finished it up and got all moved over to the other barn by half past twelve as they had to spend half an hour or so getting the engine through a snow drift. By the time we got through dinner it was raining again so we hung around in the drive shed for quite awhile where Jim Law mauled the life pretty near out of Jonas, and then over in the barn where we kept snowballs on the fly but at last Sam decided to quit. and told them to be back by to-morrow noon. Dad. and I did up the chores and then we drove Belle down after the mail and took Ted. with us. Dad. saw Dr. Cook about the baby as he has been very miserable to day, the whooping cough is bad enough but he is cutting another tooth

Saturday January 17th

I drove Dick down to the bank first thing this morning and when I got back Dad. and I hooked Harry and Belle to the sleigh and went down to Porter's, we didn't get back till about noon. Sam Law came over while we were gone & fired up and they got started up about one o'clock and finished about four, there was about two bags and a half of seed from the four loads. Allan & Jim Law & Bert Munroe were all down at Ern Flemming's to a dance last night and didn't get in till about six o'clock this morning they said they had a fine time but thought it a little strange that they should be invited to a private house with the stipulation that the ladies were to bring refreshments, and that a collection should be taken up to pay the fiddler, and that the host should keep two dollars out and submit the remaining five to the fiddler, who was {Lym Waddle?}. After tea to-night Dad. & I drove down to get the mail and we took Ted. George with us, (the others all went home to tea) we chased all over town to find Dick as he had the key to the post office box and at last found him and he came home with us, he got another fifty dollar raise in his salary to-day dating back to December 1st. That is the secon one since he has been in there which is just a little over a year. Lila has been over all day and is staying all night. Tiddums feels pretty rotten but is a little brighter to-day. It was cloudy and blustery this morning but the sun came out this after noon and it was not so cold high north wind all day.

Sunday January 18th

I just did a few chores this morning and went down to church alone. Lila went down earlier to be ready for Sunday school. Frank's calf was too bad for him to go, Dick was in bed, Enah had to look after Tiddums and Dad's. time was taken up ministering to the needs of a heifer calf which Charlotte presented us with soon after we went out this morning. Its ear froze a couple of times but Dad. and Frank thawed it out with snow, when I came home it was on the kitchen floor, they had to bring it in to keep it from freezing to death. They took it out after it got good and warm and dry and I had taken a picture of it but Charlotte didn't seem very anxious to own it so Dad is going to try to teach it to drink now but it hasn't drunk any to-day. Allan Law came in this morning with a bottle of stuff which he bought down town for Witch Hazel for Sam's eye. Sam said it wasn't the right color (dark brown) for with Hazel and told him to ask Dad. Dad smelt it and tasted it and said it was clear whisky. Allan said if Sam had known that he would have swallowed it but Dad said he hadn't better as something else might be in it, so he gave him some of his. Allan said his sleighs had come but weren't set up yet, so he said we would go to Jarvis with our seed to-morrow with our sleighs and his team. This after noon I drove Enah down town to see the Doctor about Tiddums, Dick went down with us and I suppose has gone to church to-night. It has been pretty cold all day but fairly sunny and no wind, milder to-night.

Monday January 19th

I was up before six this morning and we had the seed loaded and allready to start for Jarvis at eight o'clock, Allan brought his team up soon after and by the time we got his seed on and on the road it was ten minutes to nine, but the sleighing was fine and we got there in a little more than an hour. We unloaded the seed at Jake Fesses and he just got started on our lot a little before dinner. I had my dinner alone as Allan was down at Roy Misner's. I was over at Fesses all the after noon but Allan was just there a little while. They finished cleaning up the seed about four o'clock in time for me to get my check cashed which I did as I wanted to buy half a dozen bags from Fess and forgot to tell him to take the price of them off the check. The whole thing came $55.26. The alsike cleaned away about half, so I only got 4 bushels and 20 lbs, he docked me a little on it as there was a little white clover in it but I got $8.00 a bushel for it. The red seed he said had a little buckhorn in it and I only got 7.75 for it. I brought home about a bushel of it and sold 2 bushel and 40 lbs. Alan only had about a pailful of alsike which he brought home and he got the same as me for his red seed, it had no buck horn in it but he docked him on brown seed. We got home here just about dark pretty well satisfied with the day's doings Dad. I guess did chores most of the day the new calf got loose this after noon and milked Charlotte for him. Miss Newel was over to see Tiddums and he drove her home. Cloudy, mild and a little breeze looks like snow or rain

Tuesday January 20th

We didn't get up till about eight o'clock this morning so were late with every thing. Dad. drove Dick down town while I was at breakfast After I cleaned out the stables I sacked some corn and Frank and I bagged up some oats to take down to be chopped. Dad. wanted to go down to a meeting of the cream factory patrons but it was too late when we got through dinner. He and I took our grist to the mill after dinner and came up around by Uncle Ward's and got another load of wood when we got it unloaded Frank and I went down town for the mail and provisions and came up around by the mill and got our chop and some bran, shorts & buckwheat, getting home soon after five. Dad. did chores and cut wood while we were gone. Mrs. Art Ryersie was in this morning with some garlicks which she said mixed with rum made a fine concoction for the whooping cough and she thought Tiddums would benefit by it I don't know whether he is to take it internally or not I think it will be informally which ever way it goes. Alan and Jim Law brought our sleigh home this morning. They drove down in them to get their own which are Bain make and cost $2.00. They are very similar to ours but a little heavier and there is $4.00 difference in the price. Rotten day, very cloudy and foggy, fine rain most of the day freezing light breeze to-night.

Wednesday January 21st

First thing this morning Molly had a fine big bull calf, good red one and as big as Charlotte now or bigger. Dad. drove Dick down

to the bank this morning and we didn't do any thing much but chores the rest of the morning. Lloyd Phillips came over and got a load of hay but he had Garf {Porcrit?} and another fellow with him so we didn't have to help him put it on. This after noon Dad. Frank and I wrote to Uncle Hal. for his birthday and I went over to Martin's with the bit Frank borrowed from Art. Quanbury the other day, I saw Mr. Briley and he was telling me that he didn't think a mash was the right thing at all for laying hens, while Chris told me to feed it so it's hard to tell what to do exactly. Dad. and I hooked Joe & Ginger to the bobs and went down to post Uncle Hal's letter but we were too late for to-night's mail. Dick and Wiggins rode over as far as the corner with us and then walked on around the hill we gave {Bruce?} Vice a ride home too. We also brought some lumber over from Tommy Gilles's for John Quanbury as Chris asked us to on our way down. We had great difficulty to-night in trying to catch Dreadnaught and drive him into his stall and at last by running him through the deep snow until he was tired and he went in of his own accord. Snowed an inch or two last night and has been rather cold and blustery all day.

Thursday January 22nd

I did chores this morning and cleaned the straw out of the chicken house and also sat in the dining room for awhile to catch Tiddums if he woke up coughing and put in the time sorting "Farmer's Advocate" Dad. and Frank sawed down the old Northern Spy in the pig yard as it was dead. This after noon they cut some of it up and got a lot of first class fire wood out of it. After dinner I put a lot of fresh straw in the chicken house and helped Dad fix a pent in the corner of the old barn to put the calves into. Lovely day, fairly sunny and not too cold, looks like snow.

Friday January 23rd

We spent most of the morning battoning up the calf pen and Dad. put the window in. This after noon he put the surcingle & bridle on Osprey. He didn't like it at all at first but once he got started he walked down to the corner and back alright but sweat up a lot. When we got back I did a few chores and Dad and Frank got some more apple wood. Cousins Loll & Phoebe came over and about four o'clock Frank & I drove them home we also got the mail and a couple of boxes to feed the calves in Charlie Butler was in at noon to see Dad. about some horse. It has been cloudy and very soft all day. Looks very much like a storm.

Saturday January 24th

It was raining when we got up this morning, turned to snow about nine o'clock and snowed till noon. Dad. put the harness and bridle on Osprey again but we couldn't take him out so just left him there all morning He must have gone through some violent exercise, probably trying to get loose as when we went in at noon he was wringing wet. Dad. also trimmed his front feet and had to resort to chastisement to make him behave

We put the old waggon and the plow in the shed out of the rain before dinner. This after noon it stopped storming but got a little colder. Frank went down to the McBain's auction sale but didn't buy anything he said there was a big crowd there. I spent half the after noon looking at a book of house plans and then helped Dad. saw a few pieces of the old apple tree we then did chores. I drew a plan for our new barn to-night.

Sunday January 25th

Frank was the only one from here who went to church this morning as it was late when we got up and Dad. and I spent most of the fore noon doing chores and we also took Osprey out for a little exercise. Dick was asleep the greater part of the morning. Frank and I went for a skate down on the pond this afternoon. Dick went down but I guess there weren't enough girls on the ice to catch him so he went on up town and lent his skates to Fred. Tuck. I was late getting there so only had an hour or two's skate but I enjoyed that much for the ice was pretty good and as it was my first skate this season maybe it was just as well not to make it too long. I went down to church to-night and came home right after, but didn't see any thing of Dick who was not home to tea. It has been sunny and quite mild all day but is a little colder to-night.

Monday January 26th

After we did chores this morning, we hooked up Harry and Belle to the waggon and went over to Sam's to get our quarter of beef. We took it down to Alfred's and weighed it and it was just 90 lbs which was pretty good for the front quarter of a calf not quite a year old. It was just about noon when we got home but we went and got a jag of rails before dinner. After dinner we went and got another load of rails and then went down town for the mail and some yeast cakes and got back about five. John Wess was in just before dark as his mare has a little touch of lymphangitis again. Dad. told him what to do for it and said that he would go over and see it in the morning. To-night I went down to the pond for a skate as I saw they had quite a lot shovelled off. I got a ride part way down with Allan Law and he said they were going to start hauling ice to-morrow and that he could haul ours for us if we wanted him to. I told him we couldn't put it in to-morrow but we might the day after. There wasn't a big crowd on the pond and only a very few girls but the ice was good. I put in most of the time chasing Bunyan Beecraft and Tony Bannister to punish them for throwing snowballs all over. I caught Tony early in the game and twisting his hair till he got down on the ice and filling his hat with snow succeeding in persuading him to behave himself but Bunyan was another proposition. In the first place I couldn't begin to catch up with him, being out of practice I suppose - and then he was so nimble getting around the

corners I would sometimes be nearly on him and he would jump right off the track into the snow and aparently make just as good progress there as on the ice. I jumped in after him once but my feet slid out from under me and I cleaned off quite an area of ice in a very short time and carried most of the snow off on my clothes. At last Alex Spain joined in the chase and we both got Bunyan headed for Ivey's point where we thought we would catch him for sure, we could just see his figure ahead of us and followed him around the point right through the snow and some very poor ice till the first thing we knew he was taking to the land like one of these aligator boats, we hiked back around the point hoping to be where we thought he would get on the ice again by the time he was but there was no sign of him. He told us after wards when we were taking our skates off in Greenbury's woodshed that he was up behind Ivey's ice house and heard us go past. Dick came down before I left and hung around till I got my skates off and went up to Huby's after a loaf of bread I got up town. We got home about ten. Very soft all day not wind enough to turn the windmill till after dark. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day.

Tuesday January 27th

As soon as we got things done up this morning which was about ten o'clock we hooked up and went over to John Wesses and Dad. gave his mare a {ball?}. Mr. Morgan was looking over there and we got looking at his gasoline engine and he was running it and grinding oats and showing us all around so it was after noon when we got home. Mr. Morgan came home with us and stayed to dinner and half the after noon, consequence being that we didn't get any thing but chores done although we had intended to haul some rails and clear out the ice house Allan Law was in to-night and said if they were hauling ice to-morrow he would haul ours for us but I think it is raining now so not likley they will be doing much with the ice. It has been very soft and spring like to-day. It rained last night and took most of the snow of the roads and left them very slippery.

Wednesday January 28th

We cleaned out the ice house first thing this morning and got it all ready to fill. It rained last night and was so very mild that we didn't think Alan was coming but just as we got ready for him he came along with a load, he said he went to see Val. about it last night but Val. was at lodge, so this morning he went down after a load of sand for the chickens as he thought they wouldn't be cutting to-day but some body saw him down town and told him that Val. wanted him to haul what was on the stand over here so he did, he got two loads over before dinner and four this after noon. we didn't get the last load chincked or placed to-night and if all is well he is going to haul over two more loads in the morning. We think we are putting this in better

than we did last year, we are leaving a good space between the walls and the ice for sawdust, and we put rails and sawdust in the bottom, but the ice isn't as good as last year especially what has been out of the water in the sun all day. Jim Coley was over this morning and got Dad. to give him a two weeks option on his lots, he says he can almost guarantee the sale of them at $600.00. Bob. and Cars. Rankin also drove over and brought the saddle & bridle back. Bluch was very glad to see them and followed them way down the road but came back when we called him. Tupper came in to get his post auger which we borrowed to dig the holes for the windmill feet. Mrs. Tupper and the baby were with him. I guess Mrs. Tupper wanted to see Tiddums but she didn't want to bring her kid in on account of the whooping cough and it was asleep anyway, Enah brought Tiddums to the window to wave at her. It has been very spring like and the sleighing is going fast.

Thursday January 29th

Just about as we got ready for him this morning Alan came along with a load of ice and hauled one more before dinner, we then saw that we needed eleven more cakes to fill up the ice house evenly so he brought 14 over this after noon, he said he had a hard time getting them as the machine wasn't working. We put the extra three on top. Dad. chincked it while I cleaned out the horse stable which has been neglected for two days, that makes over eight loads of ice that can be put in that ice house. Old Bill George drove over before dinner to get the fork that Ted. left over here. He was driving his yearling colt to the cutter and the seighing is about gone, it is the same age as Queen and not nearly so big so that sort of treatment must be hard on it. Harry Dyer, his brother and Hammy Innes were over for awhile this after noon. Dick came home to tea to-night to change his clothes and attend the dance of the Orchestra's in the town hall. Another April day, water is running over everything and "the buds are within a holy ace of bustin" as Art. Ryersie says. The snow is fast giving place to mud and it looks as if it would rain again. Quite a strong south west breeze all day.

Friday January 30th

It was freezing when Dick came home at three o'clock this morning and has been freezing in the shade all day but not very hard. We found that the south west wind the early part of last night had melted quite a lot of the ice that it could reach through the west window, so Dad. had to fix it a little and we put in all the sawdust we had, but will need quite a lot more. Dad. thought the roads would be too icy to go to-day. We gave Osprey a little exercise before dinner and I sorted out a lot of the apples down cellar. This afternoon we tore down a lot more of the gully fence but just put the rails in piles. It was a lovely day to do it as the snow is nearly all gone. More like a lat fall day to-day except that there is so much running water.

Saturday January 31st

We didn't do much but chores to-day. Dad. cut a big pile of wood and I Frank carried it and I wheeled most of the sand which Dad. got for Frank Slocomb to mend the cistern with from the house over to the drive shed and put it in to dry up the mud as the water as run in a lot since it thawed. This afternoon Dad. and Frank drove down town to get the mail and some provisions. They got a letter from "The Library of Original Sources" saying that our books would doubtless be here with in the next few days. I spent the evening making entries for the past month in my book keeping book. The hens haven't nearly payed for themselves. I got six eggs to-day which is the most yet. Mr. and Mrs. Walt McCall drove Dally over this morning. She cawked one of her front feet and Walt got Dad. to look at it. It has been a very blizzardy day but not cold. It was hail sleet when we got up this morning then rain and a blow this after noon with strong east wind which shifted right around. To-night it is blowing hard but I think clear.

Sunday January February 1st

I haven't done much all day. This morning Enah and I drove down to church but got home very early. After dinner Dick and I went down town I went over to Harry Moon's and spent the after noon and stayed to tea. Harry was showing me over the new part of his house which he has fixed up pretty slick but hasn't quite finished the upstairs yet. They went to church to-night so I went down to Huby's. Quint. and Win were at church and Lila was over here but Huby and Aunty Maude were home. Frank came home with Lila while I was there so I went home with him. I don't know where Dick went but I have a sneaking idea that he spent the after noon over at Dyers. Last night when Dad. locked up the stable there wasn't a sign of Bluch so we thought he must have followed them down town when they went down after the mail last night, although they watched him, so to-day after church Frank went down to the Rankin's and sure enough he found Bluch there so brought him home. Bob. Rankin told Huby. that Jimmy cried himself to sleep last night because they wouldn't let Bluch sleep with him and told him they couldn't keep him. Some fellow was in here from Nanticoke to-day to have Dad look at his horse. I got seven eggs to-day. It has not been very cold stormy to-day but there has been a cold strong west wind.

Monday February 2nd

After we got the chores done we went out and hauled up three loads of rails before dinner, we got nearly all we had torn down. We also cut the tips off Erie's and Spotty's horns as we thought that the comfort or even saftey of the other animals was hazarded by their sharp points, we cut one of Erie's a little lower than we intended and severed a little artery. It soon stopped after we let her out but this after noon she scrubbed it against Snowdrop or the straw stack

and covered Snowdrop with gore and when we let them in to-night a beautiful little spurt was coming out of it but Dad. soon stopped it but putting a little chop stuff on it. We intended to go prospecting for sawdust this after noon but by the time I got the rails unloaded The Law's came in to take their clover mill and engine down to Bob. Leitch's as the roads are now in grand shape. We were very glad to have the clover mill out of the barn as it was a great nuisance, but we didn't get a chance to go for our saw dust as they were here most of the after noon getting up enough steam to raise hel the engine out of the ground where she was frozen in, when Alan threw her in she would hump and stop "breathing" just like a horse trying to lift a big load, but after a few strains she loosened up and got out. Sam's brother-in-law was with them and he seemed to understand quite a lot about it. When they went Dad. put Joe's harness on Osprey and hooked him up to the bobs with Belle. he did pretty fair but seems to throw or paddle his nigh forefoot. Jonas came over this morning and borrowed a pitch fork and the hay knife as he is going to move the hay from McBains barn to Sam McBrides as they are tearing down the old McBain barn to-day. he brought them back to-night and is now playing checkers with Frank. The bear had ample chance to see his shadow to-day as the sun has been shining nearly the whole time it has been an ideal winter day, not too cold and just enough wind to turn the wind mill. I got seven eggs again to-day. They are getting a lot of milk now and it is beginning to tell on them.

Tuesday February 3rd

I got up about five this morning and read till daylight When Dad. came out I found that Dick had brought home word last night that Winckey Smith was dead and was to be brought here on the eleven o'clock train to be buried, and as the funeral was to be taken charge of by the mason's, Dad. was wanted at the lodgeroom at ten o'clock. I drove down with Dad. and hung around till the train came in and then drove up to the cemetery with him. After the service was over there we drove over to Evan's woods on the Radical opposite old Stringer's place to see if there was any sawdust. We had quite a time finding any signs of a sawmill but at last Dad. came on it way back in a little ravine. He said there were no men around but quite a few bags and a pile of sawdust. This after noon Dad. went down and got his hair cut and was gone all the after noon. I watered the horses and cleaned out the cow stable and then I took a walk back the lane to look at the little trees. Most of them on the west side are dead while most on the east are alive. To-night Dad. went over to a men's party at Jack Martin's. It has been very soft all day and the sleighing is just about gone. There is snow lying in the fence corners and on the north side of things but it looks very Spring like, water is running every where and the fields are nearly all brown and where ever the sun can reach it looks dry and warm. I got twelve eggs to-day which I thought was pretty good.

Wednesday February 4th

Tobe did not write this up last night as he went skating. I did not get up this morning until 7.30. I found Toby up and the kitchen fire on and good and warm. Dick did not get home last night till sometime after I did and then we talked till after 2 O'Clock. After doing up the usual round of chores, we caught the 5 roosters and took them over to Jack Martin. It was dinner time when we got home from there. After noon we put on a small load of hay to take over to the other barn for the cows and calves. Frank went to skate after school. After tea Toby and I went down town he to skate and I to a school board meeting where we had a lively time, it looked at first as if we would not get anything done but it became quite peaceable towards the close. Old Mark Topley is getting along fine in his walking and his cough is much better. Rus Lampkins came in this evening and I paid him for the windmill. Fairly cold all day.

Thursday February 5th

It was late again this morning when I got up, 7 O'Clock, being out at night does not agree with me. Dick worked late last night Toby and I came home with Jack Martin and got home first. Dick brought home word that the long looked for books had come. After the chores were done we hauled the hay over that we loaded yesterday and put it off, then we hauled ni a load of corn stalks. After dinner we went down town and got the books. That accounts for my writing tonight, Toby is absorbed in them. Dick went to Simcoe this afternoon, Frank went down and had his hair cut after school, Enah and little {Taphy?} went through their usual daily round. It has been pretty cold all day, but for the most part bright. I find it hard to keep awake, I will have to take a look at the new books.

Friday February 6th

We took a load of grist to the mill this morning six bags of oats and four of corn, we got one bag of the oats rolled for the chickens. Tige. Tarr was in for awhile to see if he could rent some of the back of the place for pasture but of course there was nothing doing. Dad. went down town right after dinner to give the deeds of his lots to Jim Caley but as Cousin Willie was sick they couldn't get them fixed up so he & Enah will have to go down some other time to sign off. he got home about four and we then went down to the mill for our chop. We had quite a time getting up the hill as it was very icy and the horses slipped all the way. Old Jonas was over this morning to get a dose of salts for his pig which he says he thinks will die Dad. looked at it and he thinks so too if it does he will only have one left as two have died already. Allan & Jim Law were in to-night Allan's horse got its legs cut in some way he doesn't know how and he wanted Dad. to look at it. I got up at half past four this morning to read the new books and also learn a little Latin out of Dad's old book. It froze pretty hard last night and there was a cold east wind all morning but it turned mild at noon and has been snowing & raining alternately all day afternoon. Poor Tiddums felt very miserable this morning and they thought the poor little cus had the earache but after he had his sleep he felt a lot better - and has been all rigt the rest of the day

Saturday February 7th

I got up about half past five this morning learned latin till Dad. came out about half past six, then I went out to do chores It has been blowing a hurricane and snowing all day so we didn't do anything but chores and Dad. cut a pile of wood. This after noon Frank went down town this after noon to see if there were any waves on the lake but there weren't although it was a south west wind, but likely there is a lot of ice in the lake. Dad. and I started to make a book case for the new books out of the box they came in. Frank got some cloth down town to line it with. I got thirteen eggs to-day. It has been pretty cold and very blizzardy to-day.

Sunday February 8th

Frank went down to Sunday school and church and Dad. and I went down to church this morning we were late for although we came accross the pond we had to stop in at Henderson's as my ear got frozen by the cold wind on the pond and we went in there where Dad. thawed it out with snow I nearly froze my hand holding snow on it from the pond up there. We came around by Huby's on our way home and got the old glue pot to make some glue for our book case and also looked at the old chicken house as we are going to bring it over here for a breeding pen. This after

noon we read did chores and listened to Enah play the piano. Dick got up and had a bath before dinner, got Dad. to shave him and went down town about the middle of the after noon as he says he is going to church to-night. Frank spent most of the after noon skating on the ditch out here from the lane fence up to the oak trees and down in Bannister's gully. Very cold and strong west wind, a little snow otherwise not a bad day.

Monday February 9th

It froze about the hardest yet last night and has been pretty cold and breezy all day, but was bright and sunshiny part of the time, and snowing a little part of the time. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. cut wood. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day and as it was too cold and draughty for Tiddums in the kitchen Frank had to stay home to look after him in the dining room. Dad. and Enah were contemplating a trip down town this after noon to sign the deeds to the lots but Mr. Hawey who is buying them and a Mr. Ross brought them over this after noon and saved them the trouble. The option is up on them to-morrow so they wanted to get things settled. He paid Dad. a check for the six hundred. Jonas was over here most of the afternoon selling seeds. Dad. gave him an order for some of L.P. Gunson's seed oats and we are going to make out and order for him to-night of garden seeds from Simmers No body was down town to-day, so we haven't got the mail.

Tuesday February 10th

Dad saw a load of ice going into Mrs Battersby's this morning and just remembered that we had not returned John Quanbury's little ice tongs, and as we thought he might be needing them I took them down but he said he never used them as they were too small so told me to take them home again which I did. I stayed there quite awhile helping & watching him. Bob. Leitch was hauling the ice, it is a lot bigger and better looking than ours but John says it doesn't keep at all well in Mrs. Battersby's ice house. It is cement and built right in the side hill. The let the ice slide down the hill and drop about eight feet to the bottom of the ice house and it breaks up badly. Dad. cut wood while I was away and when I got back helped me clean out the chicken house. This after noon I cut a piece off the stack and Dad carried over a lot of straw to the chicken house. Jonas came over this morning and we gave him the Simmer's order although we are sure he is not an authorized agent, but as we don't have to pay for the stuff till we get it I suppose it will be alright. Dad. told him he was crazy to waste his time selling seeds instead of cutting his hedge down for wood over at Myers but Jonas said he had to get a little money some way as he only had fifty cents. Frank said he was working down cutting ice this after noon. It has been much milder though still freezing to-day cloudy and just breeze enough this after noon to turn the wind mill, snowing a little to-night.

Wednesday February 11th

We did chores and Dad cut wood most of the day, this afternoon we put some poles across a couple of beams in the big barn and covered them with hay to make a pen for the ewes'. The old ram seems to be getting crosser, he attacked me to-day for the first time, and we think it is because he has some way got the wool all pulled away from his eyes and can see much better all around him. I got fourteen eggs to-day, the cold weather doesn't seem to affect the hens any, I guess it is the feed and care that counts. Enah cut the cloth for the book case of my new books this after noon and to-night Dad and I glued it on the wood, it is going to look pretty nice I think. It froze very hard last night. Frank said it was seven below zero, and although bright and sunny has been frosty all day barely thawing even in the sun. They say there was a slight earthquake felt in different parts of Ontario and in Montreal but I think the ones that felt it here just thought so after they got the paper.

Thursday February 12th

Dad. and I took a walk down to Porter's and back this morning, we got back about half past one. This after noon we just did chores. To-night after a lot of hesitation I decided to go down to the dance. Dick said he didn't think there would be many there but there was enough to suit me. No-one from Simcoe was down but all the Dover bunch was there and I had a good time. I didn't miss more than half a dozen dances and much to my surprise found that I could dance fairly well. I didn't expect to be able to do any better than the last time I tried especially as I haven't been down for over a month. They say it was fifteen below zero down town this morning and although it has been a lovely sunny day with out breeze enough to blow the wind mill, it has been freezing hard all day, and is just as cold to-night.

Friday February 13th

After we did the chores up this morning Dad. & I hooked Harry and Belle to the sleighs and went down town, the sleighing was good most of the way in town but was pretty icy in places. I took down 7 1/2 doz. eggs and got at the rate of 35 cts a doz for them but traded them off for groceries. Dad. got some lumber to fix up the sheep pen with and settled up with Tommy. This after noon we just did chores and I had a little snooze as I only had about four hours last night or rather this morning. To-night Dad. dressed up and went down to pay a visit to Alfred. and Lulu. Billy Faulkner came over this morning and took their heifer away. Arnold Peddler came in to-night about five he looked about frozen and piked off towards Sam Law's who he evidently knew as he asked up if he didn't live down by the mill before he moved up here. This is poor weather I should think for his job I wouldn't mind it at all in the summer, pretty frosty all day and a cold north east wind but mostly sunny. It is milder to-night and trying to snow.

Saturday February 14th

I did chores all morning and Dad. & Frank cut up the old apple tree in the pigyard. They had some pretty hard sawing in it. This after noon Dad and I took the team and waggon sleigh and hauled it up to the house where Dad. split a lot of it. Frank went down town and got his tooth filled - and sent off a lot of valentines. Bert. Thompson came over this afternoon to see if we had any Black Orpington hens. There was just one left of the ones that Huby hatched out three years ago of the eggs he got from Bert. I knew she wasn't laying and was glad enough to get rid of her, I would have sold her for fifty cents or less but Bert offered me a dollar for her so I let him have her. Dad. had quite a visit down at Alfred's last night, the old peddler, whose name is Foster was there. Lulu was in Toronto but got home before he left, she told them that Art Ryersie who had brought her home heard down town that Blaikie was dead, but as we have heard nothing about it to-day, we feel pretty sure there is a mistake some-where. It has been milder to-day a little though still freezing hard. It snowed a little but was mostly sunny.

Sunday February 15th

Enah and I walked down to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school and church. This after noon Cousins Clare and Phoebe came over and also Quint, Huby and Lila. Dick was in bed all morning and went down town this after noon and says he is going to church to-night. Huby said Aunty Maude was pretty sick to-day. Dad. and I walked down to church to-night and went around to see Aunty Maude on our way home, she was sitting up on the sofa but looks pretty miserable, we got home about nine o'clock and Dick soon after we did. It is still pretty frosty but getting milder I think. cloudy most of the day and to-night. Huby told us of a great joke they played on old Tom the cook on the Vigilant. It seems he is quite a lady's man and gets a letter occasionally from a young lady he met in St. Thomas. Young Archie McQueen knew this and put Bill Davis, Parks and a few more of the bunch wise to it and they with Mrs. Walt. McCalls assistance composed a letter to Tom, from his girl telling him to meet her at the Fair corner (so as everything could be seen from the Dominion Hotel windows) at noon yesterday and to be sure and bring a bottle of gin along. When Tom. got the letter he never caught on and was in a great state of excitement all morning and kept his eyes on the Fair corner, meanwhile Archie had been getting togged up in a lot of Mrs. McCall's clothes, he is rather small and good looking and about two o'clock slipped out of the side door at the hotel and around the block up to the Fair corner, of course old Tom was right there to meet him and Archie immediately inquired about the gin so Tom told him to go over to the hotel and wait for him at the head of the stairs while he got it. He rushed into the bar to get a fifty cent bottle but Walt. told him that they didn't have any smaller than a dollar and a quarter bottle.Tom was in such a hurry that he said any thing would do so took a big bottle up stairs and rushed the fair one of to his room. Archie told Huby after wards that it would have been rich

if he could have played his part a little longer but when Tom began to kiss his hands, he could stand no more, so with a burst of laughter he picked up his skirts and fled down stairs. Tom was so mad he never spoke to any one the rest of the day but got bozy eyed on the bottle of gin.

Monday February 16th

Dad. and I went down as soon as we could get ready this morning to get the chicken house down home ready to move Huby helped us and we got it raised and up on blocks by noon. While we were at it, who should come along, bare headed, and without an overcoat, but Walter, he had come through the house and Aunty Maude had told him where we were, so that accounted for the absence of hat and overcoat, but as we hadn't the slightest idea that he was within a thousand miles of us, we were quite surprised to see him, but this after noon we got a letter from Roy which we should have got on Saturday, saying that Walter was then in Barrie having come down with the body of Mrs. {illegible} father. He got into Toronto Friday night and came up here this morning but had to go right back again to-night. He stayed at Huby's to dinner for as he said a walk over here before dinner did not sound tempting and right after dinner Dad. hooked up Belle and went down and got him, he was only here an hour or two and then Dad. and I drove him down he had to stop in for a minute or two to see Miss Phipps, Cousins Bessie, Clare and Loll and say goodbye to Aunty Maude. Dick Quint & Huby went to the station to see him off so he had a very hurried visit, but we were all very glad to see him if it was only for a short time. Old Jonas came over to-night to get his orders ready to send away, and to get a little corn but I think principally for a visit. Aunty Maude says she feels better to-day but looks very miserable. I only got twelve eggs to-day. It was a beautiful morning but this after noon the wind got up and it was a rotten after noon very blizzardy and cold. Quieter and colder to-night.

Tuesday February 17th

We just did chores and cut wood this morning, I read for awhile this afternoon and then Dad. and I drove down town and Dad. saw Johnny Walker about bringing over the hen house, he said he thought he could load it on the sleigh and bring it over to-morrow after noon we went down to see if we could get it any more ready but thought we couldn't do much more to it alone. A couple of the little Ryersie girls came in with Frank after school and young Roy Bannister appeard from somewhere soon after Frank got home and they went sleighriding back in the gully and Roy borrowed a book to take home with him. To-night I blew a little on my horn for the first time since election night. It was a very blizzardy blustery morning, but turned out a nice bright afternoon, snowed quite a little bit, and there wasn't enough wind to turn the windmill.

Wednesday February 18th

Dad. and I did chores most of the morning besides taking the wire off the posts in the hen yard so we could get through with the other hen house which we intend to put in the north east corner of the yard. We had to pump water for the cattle this morning as there wasn't enough wind to turn the wind mill, it took us over half an hour to pump half a tank full, we took turns at it, it is the first time we have had to pump for them this winter, and if we had a bigger tank which would hold two or three days supply, it wouldn't matter about it being quiet for one day. As soon as we could after dinner Dad and I went down to get the old hen house Jack Walker didn't come for quite a while, but I went up town and got Huby and we got it raised up in front nearly high enough to back the sleighs under, when Johnny came he said he thought it would pay us to raise it up high enough behind to back the sleighs, so we did and without so very much more work got it loaded beautifully, we were afraid the top of the pigeon house which Dad. built on the roof of the hen house would catch on wires and branches but we hated to take it off as it has been there so long but Johnny said he thought it would go alright. The first obstruction occured going out the lane and we had to chop a limb off Mrs. Low's apple tree, but got past. Then going from the lane gate to the road where Dad. had a nice driveway fixed the road-scraper made a nasty ditch and never filled it in. Johnny was afraid the building might tip over on the horses going over the bump so Dad. went over and borrowed some rope from {Yint?} Rankin and tied it to the {rave?} of the Sleigh over the roof of the chicken house, we thought we had her solid but Johnny let his horses go a little fast down hill and rounding the curve with such a big top weight, she just keeled right over sleigh and all at the side of the road on end just nicely between the side walk and the road. I thought the jar would rack her all to pieces but as far as we could see it did hurt a bit, except knocked the pigeon house right off the roof. We decided to leave her there for the night and Johnny said he would get a pair of skids from Val. and take her over on them in the morning. Old Faucet said he would hang a light on to-night for us. We got a ride home with Charlie Quanbury. Tonight Dad. togged up in his dress suit and went down to pay a visit to Cousin Loll as she likes to see him dressed up so much. It was about eight below zero last night they say but has been a lovely day, rather foggy but quite mild and no wind.

Thursday February 19th

Dad. and I went down about half past nine this morning as that was the time Johnny said he would be on the spot but there was no sign of him so Dad went down to see if Jim Low had any chestnut coal but he hadn't a pound. When he came back from there he went in to see old Mrs. Fausett for awhile Huby and I carried back Mrs. Jim Low's blocks which we borrowed and then went and sat in the house, then as there was no sign of Johnny Dad.

came over. At last about eleven we thought he wasn't coming so thought we would go home. Huby went down to the mill with us as they saw Johnny go in there with a load of shooks, when we found him he said he was just ready to go so we went back with him. It took us quite awhile to get it turned over on to the skids and we had to get a few extra hands to help us. Allan Law came along just as we were about ready to start and as one of Johnny's horses is very poor on the draw and he couldn't start it Allan hooked his team on and the two snaked it along to Allan's corner, then Johnny took his team off as they thought two teams would be too wide going down that narrow road and over the bridge. Allan hauled it to the top of the hill and then Johnny took it alone the rest of the way, he let his team sail right through and as it was too hard work keeping up afoot I rode part of the way so did Huby. Johnny got stuck in our lane here where the snow was deep and he ran into the side of the bank, we had to take the little horse off and put old Harry on with Johnny's big horse and they pulled it easily. Huby stayed to dinner and this after noon we placed the hen house just where we want to lever it and put it up on blocks. Dad. and Huby then drove back to straighten things up down there and to take back some stuff we borrowed from Mrs. Jim Low. I did chores while they were gone. Charlie Butler was in for a few minutes this after noon to see Dad. about his horse which has something like lymphangitis. Dad. brought the pigeon house back with him this after noon. Nice day, snowed a little, mostly sunny with a little breeze.

Friday February 20th

After we did chores this morning Dad. and I sacked up eleven bags of oats and took them down to get chopped. We went on down town and got some stuff and then down to Huby's where we cut down a little locust tree and sawed it up in lengths to fit the waggon box and brought it over for fire wood we also took a big limb which was broken off the old Newton pippin tree. We didn't get home till nearly one. This after noon we discovered we had left Alfred's cross-cut saw down at Huby's so we hooked up Joe and Ginger (who were delighted to get out after about a month's confinement) and went down and got the saw and came around by the mill and got our grist. It was time to do chores when we got home. Tonight Dad. went down to a school board meeting, he didn't feel much like it especially as he didn't know that it was specially important. Frank went down with him to go to the moving picture show. Pretty cold, sunny but cold breeze. Dick told us that Frances Henry got badly hurt last night on Edmonson's hill where a bunch were sleigh riding. She was walking up hill and fell and a sleigh coming down ran in to her and cut an awful gash in her leg. I practiced my horn a little to-night. Dad. heard down town that Billy Anderson was dead

Saturday February 21st

Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's this morning and got a couple of roosters, as we want to mate up a breeding pen as soon as possible.

We got what they said over there were a couple of good ones although they were tough looking characters, as owing to their blood stained countenances it appears as though they had been indulging in a passage at arms. When we got home Frank helped Dad. saw up the wood we got yesterday and I cleaned out the new chicken pen. After dinner, Dad and I went down and got a load of coal, as Allan Law was in before dinner and told us there was a car in, we thought it would pay to get in in time and wood saved. I took down eight dozen eggs to-day but the price is down to thirty two cents, when we got home Dad helped me put windows, perches and straw in the new hen house and after tea to-night we caught fifiteen nice looking pullets and mated up a pen in there. Frank went back to the gully to-night this after noon and killed a dandy muskrat. Dick got home to tea to-night as he had a bath to-night. Sunny and nice day but a cold wind. We three boys had a bath to-night and sat on the kitchen table in our night shirts till midnight telling bad stories, while Dad. snored in the big chair.

Sunday February 22nd

Frank was the only member of the family who went to church to-day and he went to the Roman Catholic (to see what it was like) but he went to our Sunday school. As the wind last night tore the door of the new chicken house off its hinges, Dad. and I were forced to break the Sabbath and put it on. We just did chores and sat around all day I drew a little this after noon I am going to try and draw the picture I took of the mill and Herb. Cooke's house from the old cemetery at the top of the hill, and Frank went back to the gully. Dick slumbered peacefully all morning and went down town this after noon, with the intention of going to church to-night. I got fifteen eggs to-day, eight of them were from the breeding pen of fifteen pullets, we thought that was pretty good for the first day. I drew a little to-night. It snowed to-day and was very windy and blustery, pretty cold.

Monday February 23rd

I learned this morning that our hard luck with the sheep deal was not over yet for when I went out to feed them I found a fine big pair of ewe lambs lying dead on the barn floor, as last night was one of the coldest nights we have had, I suppose the poor little things had hardly lived at all after they were born, but still I think if we had only been there to bring them in the warm as soon as they came we could have saved them but we never dreamed of any of them lambing before the 25th and this ewe wasn't due till next Saturday. It has been very cold all day (one of the coldest days we have had) so we didn't do any thing but chores and nail up a few boards for a sheep pen. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day, in spite of the weather. I got seventeen eggs to-day.

Tuesday February 24th

I went to bed with my clothes on last night as I got up about three to have a look at the sheep but they were all right, it is a good thing

no lambs came last night for it was bitterly cold. We fooled with the ewe which had her lambs quite a lot this morning and shut her up in the stable this after noon away from the others. Dad. went over to see if Brirely had ever had such a case to deal with as he used to be a sheppard in the old country but he didn't get much information. Quint was here for a little while this after noon. He and Big George Hamaker had come back to the gully on the trail of a skunk which Bill Oakes saw tracks of, but they found Wilson McPherson and some Matthews had got ahead of them and were digging it out up in Robert John's gully, George joined them but Quint said they were all covered with mud so he didn't care for the job and came home via this place. He says Ivey's gully is full of men and teams hauling sod but I guess they finished to-night. This afternoon Dad. and I unloaded the load of coal we got and hauled up a load of rails which Frank unloaded when he got home. Sam. Law was in this morning and Dad. paid him for the threshing and beef. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to the Library concert leaving Tiddums in our care. (Frank's & mine) but Dad. says he will not enjoy himself at all for fretting. I also have to keep watch on the sheep for although it is not so cold as last night it would be too much for little lambs. It has been freezing hard all day in the shade but it was very sunny and thawed a lot in the sun. I think it is gradually getting milder.

Wednesday February 25th

I slept with my clothes on again last night and got up about four to look at the sheep, there were no lambs but I noticed one of the ewes was not well, she has been sick all day and has not eaten anything but snow, we offered her water and she drank a lot which made Dad think she was feverish, she was also quite badly foundered, and is evidently suffering from indigestion. To-night Frank and Dad. tried to dose her with salts but couldn't get much down her. Dad is afraid she won't pull through, it certainly looks doubtful. We don't know what caused it unless she has eaten some of the old chaff that came out of the clover mill and which is mixed up with the hay on the barn floor. Dad. thinks she may have got an overfeed of corn as he found them the other day out by the corn crib where Frank's pig had rooted a slat loose and had got out a pile of corn out on the ground. The ewe that lost her lambs and which we had shut up in the stable, we found to be all right this morning so after trimming her up a little Dad. let her out with the rest in the shed, while we were there we heard a racket in the barn and on entering found the split eared ewe, the one which was due to lamb to-day engaged in a desperate fight with Frank's pig, down in the corner was a wee lamb just arrived and unhurt thanks to the courage of its mother as the pig would have made short work of it, if she had alloud it. I had the satisfaction of landing that pig a swift one and send it squealing out of there. I hadn't been there very long when another lamb came bigger that the first one. It wasn't very cold in the barn but we had to take the little fellows in the house by turns and warm them Enah and Tiddums looked after them, the latter was greatly interested in them. When they both got

good and warm and dry, we moved them and the ewe into the horse stable where it is very much warmer than the barn and they all three seem to be all right. Jim Waddle was in this morning to see Dad. as his horses have lymphangitis. Jonas was in at noon with our parcel of seeds from Simmer's, he said he guessed they wanted him to work for nothing, so I suppose he will not get any commission and as he had to pay express on the seeds I don't know just where the profit comes in, but he was going off canvassing again this after noon. He says he is through with "Ivorys" for ever now, he had some rumpus with them about his house rent. Dad. told him he was going to kill a couple of the biggest pigs this after noon soon and wanted his valuable assistance. Jonas is a wonderful pig sticker (as he says). A fellow from Simcoe was in here to see him soon after he had gone. Lorne Brown came in after dinner with the sink and fixtures, he said Rus would be down to put it in as soon as we got the ditch dug for the drain. To-night I went down and got my hair cut and also to the moving picture show principally to go in with young Schrammy who was too young to go alone Dick got home soon after I did and we sat up till after twelve but I went to bed in a more civilized manner to-night. Sunny and soft but cold wind.

Thursday February 26th

As this is Saturday night and I am dead sleepy I can't remember the details of Thursday's happenings, we hauled two loads of sawdust from Evan's place up on the Radical road we just took the waggon box full this morning but as there were no very bad spots we took side boards with us this after noon and hauled twice as big a load. Dad. saw Evans about getting some wood and he is going to start buzzing up the limbs & tops of trees next week and said we could get 10 loads of it for a dollar a cord sixteen inches long. The sick ewe seems ever so much better to-night, she is not lame and picks at the hay a little. Dick went down to the dance to-night. I fully intended to go but thought as it was Lent I would go over to Quanbury's instead, as they were having a surprise party I think in honor of Charlie & Lottie coming home from the West. I had a good time in spite of the fact that they played Pedro and I tried to learn the game, but couldn't. Thawed hard in the sun, cold wind.

Friday February 27th

We went up again this morning and got another load of sawdust. We had to go around by town this morning to get some groceries, when we got up there young Stickney from Port Ryersie was there ahead of us but had his load nearly on, the pit was pretty well undermined but we got a good load alright and got home about one, the sleighing is just about gone. This after noon we unloaded the Sawdust we filled up all we wanted inside the ice house and Dad. threw the rest outside to pack in between the outside and inside walls. When we got through there we started to clean out the boxstall which

hasn't been cleaned out for over a month. Dad. took two sleigh loads out and put on the old garden and there is still another load, the two days accumulation in the stable made the biggest part of the first load. Frank went over to tell Jonas to come and kill pigs in the morning as he told us he was going to work for "Ivory's" on Monday. He drove Frank home about seven he was bound for some Englishman's place way out past Tupper's some where to sell seeds. The sick ewe is apparently all right to-night. The salts had their effect and we found where she had eaten a whole pile of corn and not digested it at all, very sunny and mild barely froze last night.

Saturday February 28th

Jonas came over about nine o'clock this morning armed with a formidable looking knife, which he told us was no good all ready to show us how to "boocher" hogs. He did quite a lot of ordering around and knife grinding before he was ready. We killed the two biggest pigs of the lot and they weren't very big, and did it up in the pig-pen. Dad. & I held the pig while Jonas with great display made the fatal thrust. It took him a good big minute to do it which isn't a record breaking speed as Dave Waddle claims to be able to stick a pig and get the knife out with out getting a drop of blood on the knife, however they died alright under Jonas' treatment, we hauled them down to the old house on Frank's sleigh and scalded them both to-gether. Dad. said it was a dandy scald and Jonas says it was due to his method of putting a dipper of woodashes in the barrell and to his accuracy in testing the temperature of the water with his had. Dad. helped scrape them and then had to go out to Jim Waddle's to see his lymphatic horse as he was in after him this morning. Jonas and Frank dressed the pigs and I guess made a pretty fair job of it. I cleaned out the chicken house and fooled around. They finished up before dinner and Jonas stayed to dinner. The same fellow that was here to-day the other day from Simcoe was in again to-day to see Jonas and caught him this time. This after noon I drove Enah down town to do shopping, she took down ten dozen eggs but the price had dropped to twenty eight cents. I got twenty eggs yesterday and to-day. I had to wait quite awhile for Enah so drove around with Fred Tuck. Very soft and mostly sunny but cool wind raining and snowing a little to-night.

Sunday March 1st

Frank went down to Sunday school and church to-day and Dad. drove Enah down to church but didn't stay himself. I didn't go down at all to-day principally because I was too lazy. I didn't get up till way late this morning and haven't done any thing much all day but a few chores. Dick went through his regular Sunday programme, stayed in bed till noon, went down town after dinner and I suppose to church to-night. He took my camera down and was going to get a film for it. Dad. and I intended to go out to the Shand's this after noon but it was so late when we got ready that we didn't go. Mostly sunny but cold North wind, freezing hard to-night and wind getting worse.

{This page is a copy of the previous page}

Monday March 2nd

Dad. cut up the pigs this morning we weighed them with the old {steelyard?} which Dad. brought over from home and they just came to 105 lbs apiece. I put in the whole morning writing to Aunty and at the same time watching Tiddums who was asleep. This after noon we did chores and covered over all of the sheep pen instead of a part of it we tried to fasten up the door which blew out of the peak of the barn but it fell out again while we were working at it and as it broke a little we left it for another time. I also helped Dad carry over a couple of loads of hay to the other barn on his {back?} with the {illegible} rope. We couldn't do much out side to-day as there has been a terriffic north wind with a little snow and besides it has been cold. The storm was much worse in other parts of the province than here but has gone down to-night.

Tuesday March 3rd

After we did chores this morning Dad. fixed some bars up at the south end of the horse stable out of the old wind mill posts to keep the sheep in their own yard. Arthur Preston came over to borrow some of Dad's show clothes to wear at the Methodist concert next week. Colin Ryersie was also over for awhile. About noon Dand. and I drove down town to get some stuff and he wanted to see Harry Moon to see what kind of duds he wanted for the concert. I went over to the barn when we got home and found a lamb just arriving, the ewe was No. 117 and we didn't expect lambs from her till Saturday. This was a good big ram lamb, we left him there till after dinner and when I went out then his sister was just getting off. We brought them both into the house for awhile one at a time and to-night put them in the little box stall in the horse stable. We didn't do any thing much but fool with the lambs this after noon. Much milder to-day and sunny but frosty to-night.

Wednesday March 4th

Dad. and I didn't take our clothes off all night last night. Dad crawled into bed about half past two and I dozed in the big chair the rest of the night going out to the barn every hour or so to see how the sheep were, we expected lambs all along but they didn't show up nor all day to-day, so I guess we will have another night's vigil. It is the ewe which was sick that we are watching, she is due on Friday. We spent about half an hour this morning trying to get Osprey out of the stable to give him a little exercising. Dad. put the harness on him and went to lead him out the door where there is a drop of about a foot into the drivehouse, and he hung back. Dad. tried to coax him but he was positive and the more determined Dad was to bring him out the more determined he was not to come out. Dad. put a little rope under his chin and we tugged on that for quite awhile but couldn't get him any farther than the door. Then we tried whipping him but that had not the desired effect although it put old Harry into the notion of kicking and scared the other horses. Osprey would rear and paw and throw himself but not go ahead. Then Dad. put

a rope on his front foot and we tried pulling him out that way but he would just paw and must have thrown himself a dozen times or more some times right under Belle's or Harry's feet. At last one time when he threw himself I took a hitch around a post with the rope on his leg and by dragging him out and not giving him a chance to fly back we at last got him out. He didn't seem at all mad and I took him down to the corner and back and he went beautifully. We didn't do any thing much the rest of the day but chores and I had a little snooze after dinner. Frank worked at the old house after he got home from school he is boarding it up so as he can fill it in with sawdust around the ice. Thawed all day, some snow & cold wind. Since writing this we have put in quite a night of it. I went over to the barn about eight o'clock and found Dad's ewe with a lamb. I came to the house and got Frank and Dad. who was asleep in the chair the only sleep he had all night to come out, while they were there another one arrived, so we brought the first one to the house to get warm, we noticed the sick one the one we have been watching all day looked very much as if she would lamb in a few minutes, but she didn't till about four o'clock. We all sat up for a long time, till Dick came home and he and Frank went to bed. I sat up till about one or two and then I went to bed. Dad. sat up and out at the barn all night with the two little fellows as they were both very weak at first but got stronger and he held an old coat over them a long time to keep them warm till they went to sleep and stopped trying to crawl out and till the old one lay down beside them and stopped trying to paw the coat off. He also had his eye on the other ewe and about four o'clock came in and woke me up, he said he hated to as I was so sound asleep and I guess he didn't hate to any more than I hated to get up but he thought the sick ewe was not right and something ought to be done so I went out with him and we caught her but didn't bother her much and we hadn't been out very long when her baby came, it was a ram and a bouncer, the biggest one yet I think, but she is the first ewe that didn't have twins. I went to bed again about five o'clock but Dad. stayed up all night.

Thursday March 5th

I didn't get up till about eleven this morning, so I guess I had my sleep out. Dad put the harness on Osprey and we gave him quite a long exercise, we got him out of the stable easier to-day. I held Belle out in the drive house and when Dad saw Osprey wouldn't lead out he just let him loose and got behind him and touched him a little with the whip till he jumped out with out much fooling. I started to take him down the road and got about as far as the culvert and he didn't want to go any farther. I wouldn't let him go back so we just turned around and around in the road till Dad. came out and he got him to go down to the corner and back alright. I then took him down the other way as far as Preston's barnyard and he got frightened and their cows and would go past so I started the same performance there again and at last started to lead him past but Dad.

came down and said to take him home as it was so late. This after noon I cleaned out the hen house and did chores. Whitesell was in this after noon to see Dad. about a sick horse. Thawed all day in the sun but not in the shade cold east wind.

Friday March 6th

I camped in the big chair all night last night and Dad. went to bed. I didn't go to sleep till after midnight as I wasn't at all sleepy so had a good read. I went out to the barn at 12, 3 and half past 6 and slept in the mean time, every thing was alright out there. When I woke up at half past six this morning my knee was pretty stiff but it soon limbered up. I find I have a brute of a cold due I think to getting my feet wet. We did chores this morning and Dad. put the harness on Osprey and I took him out and he went fine, he started his little game of trying to turn around and go back this morning but I found out that instead of trying to make him go ahead which to me was impossible, I just let him turn around and then back him up in the direction I want him to go, he soon wants to turn around and when he does goes all right in the right direction. I tried it on him several times and it worked fine every time. I took him down to Flemming's corner on the side road and then back and down to Mrs. Battersby's corner. This after noon I had a sleep and then took what few eggs I had over to Jack Martin and was over there quite awhile. I only got sixteen eggs to-day I don't know what is the matter with the hens. To-night Frank and Enah went down to see "Satan" at the moving picture show I was going down but as I had such a cold thought I would wait till to-morrow night. It snowed all day to-day but didn't put much in the ground. Not very cold.

Saturday March 7th

Dad. and I sacked up 12 bags of oats this morning while Frank went down town after some salt petre to salt the pork with, then he and Dad. went down to the mill with the load. When they got back they cleaned out the rest of the box-stall and I started to chop a hole out in the chicken yard to put a post in but it was frozen too deep. This afternoon Dad. and Frank went down to the mill and got their grist and I took Osprey out while they were gone he went fine. When they got back Dad. drove Enah down town and left her there and I minded Tiddums all the after noon he slept for awhile. Frank worked at the old house and Dad. did chores when he got back. To-night I went down to the moving picture show and saw "Satan" I thought it was pretty good. Cloudy and snowy but quite soft. Raw breeze.

Sunday March 8th

Neither Dad nor I have been off the farm all day to-day but have just done chores and sat around. We thought of hooking Osprey and Belle to the buggy and going out to the Shaw's this after

noon but we didn't, we have to keep a rather close watch on one of the ewes Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Enah walked down to church alone to-night. We didn't get through in time to go with her. Dick slept till dinner and after dinner went down town, he will likely go to church to-night. Cloudy and rather cold with some snow and raw wind.

Monday March 9th

We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day and watch sheep Dad. was not in bed at all last night and when he went out at four this morning to look at the sheep, found the wide-headed ewe with a lamb, which if it had been left much longer would have perished with the cold; but Dad. wrapped it up in his old pea jacket and brought it around alright. Mrs McBride was here washing all day and it has been very miserable out cold and windy. To-night Enah and I went down to the Methodist Choir concert, and thought it was great especially the costumes which were all old fasioned. The hall was packed full, and they say some were turned away. It lasted till late, we got home about twelve half past eleven o'clock. Dick and Dad. were both up.

Tuesday March 10th

We did chores all morning. Mr. Fleming was over for a little while this after noon. We hitched Osprey and Belle up to the bob-sleigh and drove them down to Jonas' corner and back a couple of times as that was the only place there was any snow. Tommy Jackson was over for quite awhile late this after noon to see about getting some corn stalks, he was telling us a lot about sheep and a good many other things. Cold, raw wind, sunny.

Wednesday March 11th

Dad. was up all night last night again and hardly slept at all I stayed up awhile but got so sleepy and chilly that I couldn't stand it so went to bed. The white ewe, which is due to lamb to-morrow was in rather bad shape all night, and there was no sign of lambs so Dad. got us all up early this morning and we had breakfast over by a little after seven and then Dad went out to examine her, and in about half an hour, we had two more buck lambs but one was dead. She was very weak, so we just left her alone for awhile and brought the live lamb in the house to get warm. When we took it out, the ewe wouldn't own it so it has been in the house all day and Dad. takes it out every now and then for refreshments, she was so weak we didn't like to urge her. We were afraid this morning that she wouldn't pull through but she seems much stronger now, she eats and chews her cud so I guess will recover. We haven't done much to day but chores and sit

around. Dad is very tired. Tonight Colin Ryersie was here and Bill Duncan's man wanted Dad to go up there but he was too tired to go. There was a grand wedding in town to-day, Leo O'Heron and Inez Schram, Frank saw them go off. Tiddums can walk now all alone but he is a little afraid to unless someone's right beside him to catch him. Very sunny to-day but cold north wind. There was a fine eclipse of the moon to-night, we didn't know about it till we saw it.

Thursday March 12th

We did up the chores this morning and then hauled the hay rack over to where the sheep are and put on a load of hay, we got it on by noon and hauled it over to the horse stable. Cousins Phoebe & Loll were over to dinner and after Dad. had showed them all around the ranch and talked awhile we put the load off over the horse stable and hauled another load over to the other barn for the cows and left it on the barn floor. The little lamb has been in the pen with its mother all day but still she doesn't recognise it although isn't bad to it. Dad. has to catch her for the little fellow to get refreshments but once he gets started she stands quietly. Tiddums started off of his own accord to walk to-day noon and was greatly pleased with himself to find out he could he has prancing around ever since. Jonas was over for a visit, after tea, and gave us a few selections on the mouth organ. It has been freezing pretty hard in the shade all day, fairly sunny.

Friday March 13th

This morning we did chores and I cleaned out the chicken house and separator as we want to begin separating again now. Loyd Ryersie came in at noon with a notice for Dad to attend a meeting of the school board at three o'clock on the school grounds. We wanted to go after a load of wood up to Evan's this after noon so went around that way although it made us pretty late. The way they have it surveyed out now, there is just the same width of ground on each side of the building and is fifty feet in from Main St. This they all think is too close to the street but they can't move it back without cutting down or trimming up the old hickory nut tree and as none of them want that done, they think it will have to go where they now have it unless they buy some more lots. When Dad. got through with them we went up to Evan's and got the waggon box full of wood a lot of it was cut too long for our stove but we managed to get on about three quarters of a cord. We just got home a little before six. Not quite so cold to-day although freezing all day in the shade.

Saturday March 14th

Dad was up at twenty minutes to five this morning and I got up at six so he and Frank were able to get started at half past eight for a load of wood at Evans. They got back at noon with a little over a cord. I did chores all morning. They got another load this after

noon and I piled the two loads that were here along the end of the old house, besides doing a few chores and watching the colts. dogs. chickens and Frank's pig that they didn't get into mischief. It was too muddy to take Osprey out on the road so I let him out in the yard and he and Dave ran around and chased the sheep out of the barn once. I also let this pen of hens out all over the place as I wanted to clean their place out and some out of the other pen got out in the hen yard so I couldnt let both pens in there to-gether. Tom Abbot was in here to see Dad about a cow of his but as Dad. wasn't here he came in again just before dark. He is going to start coming here for cream a week from Monday, if he is alive and well. It has thawed all day in the shade to-day and is very muddy and wet

Sunday March 15th

I didn't get up in time to get ready to go to church to-day and unless Dick goes to-night and I suppose he will Frank was the only one of this family who went to-day. I just did chores and poked around. About noon Dad. and Enah took Tiddums out to see the lambs, it was the first time he had been out side the house since New Year's day. I took a couple of snapshots of him Dick also got up about that time and came out. This afternoon Frank went back to the gully and Dick went down town. The cows all wandered back to the gully and I went back after them we noticed they were all covered with mud and Dad is afraid they have been slipping down the hill, but seem to be allright. It has been very mild sunny and spring like to-day. Water and mud all over.

Monday March 16th

We did chores most of the morning, this afternoon Huby came over as Frank told him this morning that we could use him now, he was glad to get to work he said and we hauled in two loads of corn stalks, putting two shocks on a load. They are in great shape to haul now as they have all thawed out. Tupper came in for quite a visit on his way home from town. He and Huby were both telling us about Lom Hurley hanging himself. Huby stayed to tea and Frank and I went down town with him. I went to band practice, the first one of the season. Walt had a lot of new music but there were only one or two of us there. Frank went to the moving picture show and then came up to the band room Dick came in too so we all came home to-gether. From the way they all talk there are going to be great doings in Dover this year, with the rail road. big soap factory and harbor improvements. It has been a lovely spring day sunny and mild and very muddy

Tuesday March 17th

Huby was over at seven o'clock this morning and we started as soon as possible to haul corn stalks. we hauled in

two more loads and now have all in the barn that we have room for and left the last load on the waggon, there are only three shocks left out there now. Huby and I put in nearly the whole afternoon setting a couple of anchor posts in the chicken yard to put a cross fence in to make a separate yard for the breeding pen, they all got out to-gether to-day. The frost was in the ground about two feet but by a lot of chopping and scaping Huby managed to get down past it. Dad is tickled to-night to think that the old white ewe has at last recognised her lamb. She noses him and lets him get "meals at all hours" and apparently thinks as much of him as the others did when their lambs were first born we blame it to St. Patrick. Froze pretty stiff last night, mild and muddy to-day. There have been a lot of robins seen in town but I haven't seen one yet.

Wednesday March 18th

I got up about half past four this morning but have been very lazy all day. Just sat around and did as few chores as possible, I had a sleep this after noon, I think the reason I felt so rotten was because my feet were so cold and wet. When Dad. went out to the cow stable this morning he found a black and white calf the property of Snowdrop up and running around with its poor mother tied fast in her stanchions, we got them both around in the barn where the soon were all right. By after breakfast another calf arrived on the scene this one a red and white one and Jim's both were bulls. Dad. just turned all the cows out of stable and let Jim and her calf have it to themselves. Tonight he tied Jim's calf in the alley way in front of her and let Snowdrop's run loose in the barn and tied both of the mothers up and milked them. He thinks they are both going to be good milkers and easy to milk Jim especially. This after noon Dad. and I drove down town in the waggon and got some groceries and also half a bushel of beans from George Yanoble as Huby said he had some very nice ones. Dad. got me a pair of rubber boots which have made my feet ever so much more comfortable. Dad. went to a school board meeting to-night and I thought I would go down and get the films from Dick which he took down the other day to have developed. He said he was going to work to-night so I went up to the bank but no one was there so I went down and saw the moving picture show, they had on "Robinson Crusoe" and it was pretty good. When I got out of there I went again to the bank but there was still no sign of life so I came home and fell in with Dad. Mr. Flemming and Jack Martin. They are having some squabble about the street up there which the council orderd closed but which Vyse never signed (just dirty work). They have also decided to cut down the old hickory nut tree. Dick got home soon after we did and said he was at the bank all the time but he wasn't. It snowed last night and has been pretty cold and wet all day. Freezing hard to-night.

Thursday March 19th

We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day except set a hen up over the drive house in the loft on 15 eggs, we also wrung Frank's pig which we hope will keep him her from comitting any depredation by rooting. It has been pretty cold all day but fairly sunny. I drew some more to-night at my picture of the mill & Herb Cooke's house.

Friday March 20th

We just did chores to-day as there wasn't much else we could do except take a grist to the mill and we didn't bother with that. This after noon I practiced on my horn a little and finished my bookcase. Dick {Faulmsbe?} was over this morning to see if Dad. would put any thing in for the canning factory, but Dad. told him he wouldn't although he signed his name to show McPherson that Dick had been here. There is more excitement down town now over the swing bridge, it seems at the council meeting the other night after Henderson had left having been told that no more important business was on that Taylor moved and Uncle Ward seconded that the County council go ahead and build a stationer bridge over the creek which is just what the Board of Trade is fighting against. Billy Laings made a vigorous kick (could be heard a block away) but he couldn't do any thing and Vyse, he just, oh he just smiled I suppose up his sleeve. Cold with raw wind sunny and freezing hard to-night.

Saturday March 21st

I did chores most of the morning and Dad. & Frank sacked up twelve bags of oats. Two Cooper kids and young Hayan came up the lane - and when they saw Dad. asked him if they could cut through here. Dad. told them he thought they had cut through and then Bluch charged them. This afternoon Dad. Frank went down town and took their grist to the mill. They saw a big flock of geese light out in the swail holes just before they left and and in a very short time Jim Law appeared and wanted to see if we had a shot gun as he had seen them too. On their way home from down town, just as they got to the garage the tire broke on one of the wheels of the old waggon, they crawled along to Ray Waddles and left the wheel and as it happened Bob. Law's waggon was at Chris Fairchild's with a broken axle so they just took one of Bob's wheels. I took Osprey out for a little run while they were gone and then came in the house and read. Tiddums feels rather out of sorts these days as he is cutting four big teeth. Sunny and bright but froze all day in the shade.

Sunday March 22nd

Frank went down to church and Sunday school and Enah and I walked down to church, while Dad watched Tiddums and kept house. This after noon Dick having got up for dinner he and I decided to go for a ride. so Dad. saddled Joe and I was to ride her to the corner and then bring her back for Dick. I got on her

alright but as soon as I did she began to perform. I don't know just what she did but I know I was a little uncertain till I got out of the lane whether I could manage to sit on her or not, but did. I rode her down to the corner and back and when I came up Dick had vanished. Dad. said he had had enough before even I got nicely started and had got in to change his clothes and go down town. Dad. cinched Joe up again and I rode her around the block. I was very much surprised to find Tupper, John Wess and all out that way had the rural mail service. I wasn't gone very long and came home and read till it was time to do chores. Quint & Lila came over with Frank who had stayed down there to dinner. Quint had his shotgun with him as Frank had told him about the geese and they went to look for them but didn't get a shot at any thing. They followed a white hawk or owl all over the country but didn't get it either Quint went down before tea as he wanted to get ready for church but Lila stayed and Frank walked down with her after tea. Tiddums feels pretty miserable yet. Much milder to-day sunny and breezy. When Dad. went out to the cow stable he found a lovely red and white heifer calf lying dead behind Erie. It had been born dead and about a month ahead of time. Dad. thinks she must have been hurt when she fell back in the gully last Sunday.

Monday March 23rd

We did chores most of the morning and spent quite awhile with Erie. Huby came over after dinner and pruned trees all the after noon. I helped him till about four and then went down town with Dad. to get our own wheel for the waggon and take Bob. Law's back. Mrs. McBride was here all day. To-night I lugged my horn down to band practice but there was none. Frank came down with me to go to the moving picture show so I went with him it was pretty fair. I saw the orchestra there so understood why there was no band practice Walt. was there and told me it would be Wednesday. Allan Law overtook us on our way home and gave us a ride to their corner. We got home about half past eleven and Dick arrived before we were asleep. Snowed a lot more last night but has been very mild and sunny all day freezing to-night. We started sending our cream to the factory this morning.

Tuesday March 24th

I got up at five this morning although I hated to and didn't feel wide awake for an hour or two, but got the chores pretty well done up before breakfast. Huby was over at seven and pruned orchard all day. I helped him most of the day except doing a few chores. We didn't get over many trees but we gave the ones we were at a proper old trimming, especially the russet tree which has an awful brush pile under it now. Dad did chores all day, and late this after noon a new calf arrived via Spotty. It is a big bull calf and nearly all black. This morning Dad and I put some Nitrate of potash on the bulls calves horses

to see if we could take them out, we can't tell yet whether it is going to work alright or not. Dick came home to tea to-night to try on his clown suit which Enah is making for him for the masquerade dance he had to go back again after tea. It thawed a lot to-day in the sun, but froze all day in the shade. Dad. sent away for a gobbler to-day.

Wednesday March 25th

Huby came over this morning and pruned the orchard most of the day. I didn't help him any as Dad. and I put up a fence across the chicken yard to separate the two pens. It began to rain about the middle of the after noon so Huby and I put the cornstalks off the waggon and then he and Dad. started to clean out the calf pen. Enah went down town at three to have her tooth fixed and Dad. and I minded Tiddums by turns till Frank got home. We forgot to tell Tom Abbot to bring us any butter although he hasn't brought our can back anyway yet, and as Frank forgot to get any on his way home, he had to traipse back to town and get some when Enah got home. I went down to band practice to-night but as Harry Moon, Walt. and Carl were the only ones there we didn't have any. It was a lovely day till it rained and was very mild all day and to-night.

Thursday March 26th

Huby trimmed orchard till we got the chores done and then we went over to the big barn and put on a load of hay before dinner. When we took the team over to the trough to water them at noon I let go of old Harry thinking he would go to the stable but the old fool lit out right for the field and Belle after him and they tore around there quite awhile before we caught them but didn't damage their harness any. This after noon we hauled the hay over to the other barn and put it off for the cows and then went over and got another load for the horse stable but didn't get time to haul it over. Huby did Frank's skins up for him and he is going to send them down to Hallam. Dick came home to tea to get all fixed up for the dance, he looked fine. I was kind of sorry I didn't go to a little trouble and fix up myself. It was terribly muddy and dark so I drove him down to the side walk. He didn't come home after it was over. It has been very dark all day and rained nearly all the after noon we heard thunder growl two or three times which Dad. now believes when heard in Spring to be a sure sign of cold weather off and on for six weeks but according to the other reliable forecast that the wind on the twenty first and twenty second will be the prevailing wind for six weeks we are to have it from the south west so Bill Oakes says, but they are having it very cold in the North West -6 below at Edmonton.

Friday March 27th

It rained nearly all day and got much colder as the wind veered right around to the north. Huby couldnt work in the orchard so

put in the whole morning cleaning out the calf pen. I helped him for a couple of hours before dinner and Dad. for quite awhile but we finished soon after dinner. We then cleaned up the barn floor and sacked up what few oats were in the small bin so as we could have the bin to put the seed oats which we cleaned up in, we set the fanning mill but didn't have time to put any through to-night only a few to see if it was all right. Dad & I sat up till after twelve to-night and finished reading Friar Tuck. Dick didn't come home again I suppose he couldn't get through the mud. Frank brought the new gobbler home to-night he weighed 18 lbs. but is young he looks all right.

Saturday March 28th

We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day. Huby didn't get over till about ten o'clock and he trimmed in the orchard all day. Frank took his furs down town to post and worked a lot at the old house. After dinner he, Huby and I went back to the gully to see if we could see a fish in the creek but failed although we saw a couple of ducks get up out of a swail in the old timothy sod. There were two very interesting letters in the "Maple Leaf" yesterday everlastingly jumping on Vyse for not signing the bylaw which the council passed for closing Alma St for school property and also for representing to the County Council that it is the wish of the people of Port Dover to have a stationary bridge erected over Black Creek where a swing bridge ought to be, a good many other of his misdeeds are mentioned. Sunny & muddy cold north wind

Sunday March 29th

Frank went down to Sunday school and church and I drove Enah down to the corner and she walked down to church as she could make better time that way than driving the roads are so bad. I cleaned out the stables while she was gone and then drove down again after her. Lila was with her and came over to spend the after noon. Frank came home through Flemming's gully and found a skunk cabbage. Just before dinner Charlie Shand came over as he had walked down to church and he stayed all the after noon. Sam. and Tom Jacques came over for a little while late this after noon. Tom wanted to see if he could get a gobbler. Dick came home last night, spent the morning in bed and the afternoon down town I suppose he is at church to-night. Mild & muddy.

Monday March 30th

It was raining when we got up this morning and rained most of the fore noon but cleared off before dinner and although cloudy it didn't rain at all after dinner, rather a raw wind all day. Huby came over and while we were doing chores he sharpened the spade, shovel, pick and axes, and after breakfast we cleaned up oats for seed we ran through over sixty bushels so think we have enough. This after noon Huby pruned the orchard. I did chores and helped him for a couple of hours, Dad. spent most of the after noon doing

chores and writing to Aunty. Sam Law came over to borrow the buggy pole. Quint came through the orchard while we were out there. He and George Hamaker had been up creek and Quint came around this way to see if he could get a shot at the ducks but I don't think he saw them. He and George have been out since early this morning through all the rain, just to fish & hunt. Jonas came over to-night and as Frank was very anxious to go back to the gully to see if he could get a fish as the Ryersie's told him they got some in the little creek, and as neither of us were very anxious to go Jonas went with him.

Tuesday March 31st

Huby didn't come over this morning as he had some insurance to look after. Dad. and I did chores and I cleaned out the hen houses. We also docked all the lambs, we did the trick with a hammer, butcher knife and block. They all seemed to come through pretty well except the little fellow belonging to the white ewe. The shock seemed harder on him than the rest and he suffered more, but I think he will pull through allright. We also trimmed up the ewes. Huby came over after dinner and pruned in the orchard all the after noon I helped him for a little while but spent most of my time pitching the wet straw off the stack and carrying dry over to the chicken house and stables. I got a letter from Rus. Gordon to-day asking if he could come up here to spend his Easter holidays, it was about the first I had heard for three or four years from him. Frank and Jonas got home last night about half past eleven and never saw a fish although the Ryersie's were out and got a dozen I think Frank said. Jonas has been over at Tupper's all day pruning his orchard. It has been sunny and windy and very nice all day the mud is beginning to stiffen in spots.

Wednesday April 1st

Huby spent most of the morning repairing the long ladder but about ten he and I went out and started to prune we worked away till nearly one. Dad. went down town but didn't get back till after two. He spent most of the after noon doing chores and Huby cleaned up the old house - and put the lead in the cider barrel as Dad. took it out when we scalded the pigs. I took what eggs I had over to Jack Martin and just sat around and watched Huby till it was time to do chores. Jonas came through on his way from Tupper's Frank stuck a wind mill up on a fence post to-night (entered by request). I got a lovely bit of poetry from Louise to-day but not one of her own it is a college song she says. Mr. Morgan was through here this morning canvassing for the canning factory he said Dick {Faulmsby?} being out had helped him any. About noon Dick drove in with the

Rural Mail carrier. He was a Scotchman and Dick was evidently showing him round, but neither of them seemed to know just where to go and Dick and his horse wouldnt keep still long enough to tell him any thing (it wasn't Dick's old horse I didn't know it at all) This was the first day they started on this new route. We didn't know they came past the front of this place but Dad. thinks it is just as handy to have Frank bring it from school. Huby asked Dick if he had quit the Canning factory and he said he was laid off till further notice. It drizzled a good part of the fore noon and rained quite hard most of the after noon, no wind.

Thursday April 2nd

Huby brought a couple of quarts of harness oil over with him this morning and also a couple of saw benches which he made. While we were doing chores he fixed up the step ladder. We then took a tub of warm water out to the stables slung up a couple of poles and began to clean harness. Dad. had wiped off all the windows which let in considerably more light. It was nearly noon and as we didn't want to get our hands all oily before dinner we just washed one set. About noon we saw Jonas mooching through the orchard headed for Tupper's. Dad told him it was too wet to prune trees so he came over and helped us oil harness all the after noon for half a dollar. Dad. did chores most of the after noon but Huby and I worked at it steadily, we washed it and Jonas oiled and what time Dad. had he put it to-gether after it had been oiled. We got all the heavy double harness done and half the light double set. Bruce Dell brought Rex over for Dad. to look at as he has a little lump on his back. Frank got the money to-day from Hallam for his musk rat skins I think they brought him $2.23. It has been a rotten day. It snowed quite a lot this morning and been either raining or snowing most of the day. Very mudy and raw nor'west wind.

Friday April 3rd

The ground was covered with snow when we got up this morning and it was quite cold although not freezing very hard but it got colder during the day and is freezing pretty hard to-night. Huby pruned trees for a couple of hours till we got things all fed up and then we started in at the harness again. Jonas came over soon after we got started and helped all the afternoon. We got all the harness including bridles, breaking harness & kicking strap oiled and put to-gether before six. Huby and Jonas worked steadily at and I was there most of the time but Dad did the chores so was not there so much. We had quite a concert at noon Jonas & Tiddums with the mouth organ & Enah with the guitar and all of them singing. Frank set the alarm to get up at half past four in the morning to go fishing with the Ryersies.

Saturday April 4th

It froze the ground stiff enough last night for us to haul the load of hay we have had on the waggon for the last two or three weeks over to the horse stable. I was pretty glad to haul it over as it was a great nuisance carring it over from the barn by the forkful. Huby fixed up one of the little ladders we got of the windmill this morning while he was waiting for us to get the hay over thinking we would need him to help mow it away but we found we didn't so he pruned in the orchard the rest of the day. After we hauled the hay over we took the rack back to the big barn and hooked to the waggon and loaded up with the oats which we sacked up the other day. Dad. also hauled the sleighs over to where they will be handy to put in the shed as they have been standing out in the lane ever since winter. This afternoon Dad. & Frank to the oats to the mill for chop, went down town while it was being chopped and got some shingles for the old house, and got home about four. Old Joey at the mill who we have named the marquis owing to his likeness to gentleman of that title in "St. George & St. Michael" got Dad. to haul 600 lbs of flour down town as Herb's horse is rather laid up owing to the mud. The roads are a fright. I cleaned out the stables and helped Huby for about an hour. It was a lovely sunny morning but cloudy & a raw wind this after noon. Last night's snow thawed off to-day but the ground is covered again to-night. Froze all day in the shade.

Sunday April 5th

Frank went down to Sunday school and church and Enah and I walked down to church. I went up to see Ed. after church as he told Dad. if I came down any time last week he would give me a couple of grapevines but as I hadn't been able to get down I went up to tell him I would try and get them to-morrow. They are a couple he set out up there and as he is going to move down into Mrs. Allan's house opposite the evaporator and has no place for them down there, he didn't care to leave them especially as they have never done very well along the fence where he had them. I thought of going for a ride this after noon but the roads are in such a condition that I didn't think I would enjoy it much so didn't do any thing much but a few chores and read myself to sleep. Frank went back to the gully and Dick who was up for dinner went down town. It was a lovely sunny morning and the snow which fell during the night nearly all disappeared by noon but this after noon it got cloudy and colder and I think will pretty soon freeze

Monday April 6th

Dad. and I spent most of the morning doing chores but just before noon I went back and tore down a little of the gully fence. Huby came over late as he had to go up town to get

his insurance papers and he spent a good part of the day measuring the buildings and renewing the insurance aplication. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. After dinner I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and then went down town to get my grapevine which Ed. gave me. I stopped in at Uncle Ward's on my way home to ask him about them and he talked to me for about an hour and told me all about his Uncle Loudon Bougner's vineyard over at Flint. I couldnt plant out my grapevines when I got home so just put them down cellar in a bag. To-night I walked down to band practice and had a fairly good one although there were only five of us there. It snowed nearly all day and has been a rotten day,

Tuesday April 7th

I didn't do much this morning but get dressed up and go down and meet Rus. Gordon. I drove down although the roads were awful. He came alright and we got home about noon. Huby didn't come over this morning as he had to finish up his insurance. He came over this after noon and Russ. helped us put on a load of hay. Huby also put in the two grapevines I got from Ed. he brought over a piece of hard wood and braced the step ladder. It has been a miserable day not at all cold but terribly muddy and cloudy all the fore noon and it rained all the after noon Dick came home early to-night and slept with Russ. I put the alarm clock in their room to-night set for half past three.

Wednesday April 8th

After we did chores this morning we cleaned up the barn floor where the fanning mill was and hauled over the load of hay which we put on yesterday for the cow stable Russ & I put it off and Dad. bathed Spottys udder, the bad quarter is better and he was able to get the siphon in this morning. Huby came over about ten and pruned apple trees all day he saw the ducks get up out of one of the swail holes this afternoon so went over and built a hide of some corn shocks, he also found two tame duck eggs in the orchard. This after noon Russ and I put on another small load of hay on the rack to take to the horse stable. After we got it on we went back to the gully and fooled around for awhile armed with Frank's rifle but we didn't shoot anything except a fence post we both took a shot at it and Russ hit it. It has been a miserable day, it snowed last night and has been cold and windy all day, freezing hard to-night.

Thursday April 9th

After we did chores this morning Dad. hauled the load of hay we put on yesterday over the horse stable and Russ and I put it off. We then went out and cleaned out some of the big wood in the orchard. This afternoon Russ and I went down town. I got my hair cut and he went to see the Morgan's, then we both went up to

school and had a talk with Mr. Smith after four and came home around by the mill with Frank. The old setting hen hatched out a few chicks to-day but I don't know how many. Huby came over at seven this morning and pruned nearly all day, it was too windy for awhile this after noon so he put a window in the wood shed which is a great improvement. Sam Law was over for quite awhile to tell us we could get butter over there now. It has been very cold and windy all day. It looked as if it would be a lovely day this morning although it froze very hard last night, but it clouded up and snowed every now and then all day. Freezing hard to-night.

Friday April 10th Good Friday

Huby pruned in the orchard most of the day but this morning he and I took a walk back to the gully and he paced off the length of fence it would take to go along the top of the gully to the road. When we came back I cleaned up some more brush in the orchard, I worked at it a little this afternoon to. This being Good Friday. Enah went down to church. Dick had a holiday so stayed in bed till noon. Frank and Russ spent the after noon back in the gully, they saw some fish but had no way of catching them. Dick was down town all after noon got home at midnight. We three boys went down to the Moving Picture show to see the battle of Waterloo, it was pretty good only all about the same. Lovely day sunny and windy much milder.

Saturday April 11th

It was cloudy cold and raining at seven o'clock this morning but Huby came over and worked around in the old house till we did chores he then went over with Dad. & me to see Tupper. Dad. wanted to ask him if he could borrow his hay rack and we took the shotgun & fish spear. After we'd seen all around the place Huby and I struck off down Tupper's creek we followed it way down to Black Creek but never saw a thing we then cut across to Art. Ryersies where we saw Wilson & James McPherson & Stewart Reeves with two or three measly looking fish. We got home quite awhile after noon. This afternoon Rus. & I did chores. Huby pruned orchard and late Dad. went over and got Tuppers hay waggon & scales which Tupper. was very anxious he should bring over. Frank went down town this after noon to get some window sash fixed & glazed for his shop. Quint came over this after noon and saw the ducks out in the swail hole and shot at them but was not close enough. Huby and I saw six geese fly over the place this after noon. It didn't turn out to be a bad after noon at all but is freezing a little to-night.

Sunday April 12th Easter.

I haven't done a thing in the shape of chores to-day since seven this morning. I got up fed the chickens sheep and horses and then went down with Dick to the early communion service we ran nearly all the way down or rather dog trotted but it just about killed me but Dick didn't seem to mind it, when we got home we had breakfast and then went down to the eleven o'clock service. The church was packed and Geitha Barwell sang a solo. Every member of the Barrett family except Dad. and Tiddums was at church from both houses. After church, Rus. Quint, Frank and I took a walk over to the Thompson's with Joe who is keeping hatch at present. Quint came over with us to dinner which we had rather late Rus. wanted to make a few calls this afternoon so I went with him down town, we went to the Hobbes where we found Geitha. Murry and Ada. Miss Prest is here over Easter we had such a good time that the first thing we knew it was time to come home for tea. I did a few chores after I got home. The old hen I set on fifteen eggs up in the loft hatched out nine chicks but during yesterday the old hen got off the nest which is about a foot off the floor and three little fellows got off and couldn't get back when we went up at night we found them chilled to death and beyond all recovery. One of the turkey hens has disappeared, and we don't know where she is. It has been very windy all day but a nice day. The roads are drying up.

Monday April 13th

We loaded the hogs up first thing this morning and Dad. and I took them down to Neil. Elliot, we put Frank's pig in with the others and he weighed 172 lbs. We weighed them all on Tuppers scales before we started aand we made the total weight 994 lbs. none of them weighed 200 lbs and the lightest was 153 lbs. On Jim Law's scales they just came to 950 we didn't think they shrank 44 lbs coming down town and don't think we made any mistake, how ever we only got paid $9.00 a cwt for 950 lbs of hogs. We came around by Tommy Gillies to get some lumber for Frank to fix up the old house. Hazen was over for awhile this morning but didn't stay long. Dick didn't get up till the middle of the fore noon and then went down town to get some ham to make sandwiches for the dance to-night. He was down town all the afternoon playing base ball. This after noon we put a scaffold up along the east side of the old house and the boys and Huby got two or three rows of shingles laid while we were doing chores. Huby pruned a little in the orchard and opened a ditch up out in the corn stubble. To-night we three boys went down to a dance in the hall given by the Sewing Club. The boys supplied the "eats" and the girls put up for the hall Dick went down early and went to the picture show first and

Rus. and I got there about half past nine. We had a good though mighty hot time and got home about two o'clock. It has been a nice sunny day but cold raw wind.

Tuesday April 14th

I didn't do any thing much but chores and sow red clover seed on the wheat east of the orchard. It froze hard last night and by the time I got that piece sowed it was too muddy & wet to sow the other. Rus. Huby & Frank shingled nearly all day at the old house and have it nearly finished. Rus. had to go back to Toronto to-night or they likely would have finished. I drove him down to the train, he said he had a good time while he was here, and felt a lot better than when he came. I drove Dick up town from the station he said he had been very busy all day and would have to work late to-night. I got a bunch of shingles from Tommy and the seed oats we got from Jonas on my way home. There was a school board meeting to-night but Dad. had such a terrible headache he couldn't attend. Frank went down to a nigger show which I suppose he enjoyed. I felt rotten with a cold to-night and nearly coughed my insides out after I went to bed. It has been a lovely day one of the nicest we have had this year, it was fairly hot. The young stock all got back across the gully after dinner and Dad and I had to go back after them we took Bluch on the chain.

Wednesday April 15th

Huby and Frank finished shingling the old house this morning and Dad. helped them put the ridgeboards on. I just did chores and fooled around. Mr. & Mrs Tupper came in and Tupper wants Dad. to put a team on the road scraper to-morrow if it is a nice day. After dinner Dad. and Enah drove to Simcoe and Lila and I looked after Tiddums with out any trouble. Dad. went up to pay Reid for discharging the mortgage and got all the old papers belonging to the farm. We spent the whole evening exploring them. The deed which gave Colin McNellige the place from the Crown in 1837 is lost but there is a big pile of other deeds and mortgages and the will of old Alexander Clark which {Fa?}. drew up for him, where he leaves the place to his son. Huby finished pruning the orchard this after noon and started to trim up the trees in front of the house Frank worked all the afternoon at the old house. I got twenty four eggs to-day, it is the first time I have got above twenty. It has been very cloudy but not very cold all day. Quint came over this after noon and stayed to tea and fixed the music box.

Thursday April 16th

I haven't done much to-day but sit around and do chores. I have a pretty bad cold and don't feel up to much Huby and Frank

worked at the old house most of the morning and Huby trimmed the trees out in front this after noon. Dad. did chores, went down to Sam. Law's after butter and helped Frank this after noon. Mr. Shand was over for a few minutes to see Dad. about one of his heifers. Art. Quanbury came over to get what eggs I had I only got fifteen to-day and two of my little chickens died. It rained all morning but wasn't a bad after noon, not cold.

Friday April 17th

Huby and Quint were over before seven this morning to see if the ducks were out in the water hole in the tin alley sod they wern't so they set a lot of musk rat traps for them. Quint was here all morning and he and Huby helped Frank with the old house. Dad. started to dig an anchor post hole at the north west corner of the big barn as he wants to stretch some wire accross the barn yard for the old rail fence will not keep the cattle in this time of year, they are bound to get into the field which they punch all up. I didn't feel much like working so after I got the chores done I started back to the gully. Quint saw me going so got his gun and joined me. He didn't shoot any thing but got a crack at a ground hog but was a little too far away. We found a lot of spring heartys in Robert John's place they were on a sunny side hill. I suppose the mayflower's are out too but we didn't run accross any plants Quint got one blood root. He didn't stay to dinner as he said he wanted to go up the Radical Road after dinner. Huby and Dad continued to dig anchor post holes this after noon and they set a couple of posts with an auger Frank borrowed from Jack Martin. Huby also pruned some more of the pear tree out in front. I started to stretch chicken wire down the fence between the plum orchard and lawn. Allan Law went by at noon with a new horse he sold his little chestnut yesterday, he was going down to work at the school. It has been a beautiful day, sunny and warm. Spring at last.

Saturday April 18th

Huby and I hung some rails on the bottom of the line fence where Ivy's tile drain runs through there is a depression in the land and the sheep walk right under the fence but we fixed it to hold them I think. This after noon Huby set the rest of the posts accross the barn yard, burned the old brush heap in the pasture field near Ivy's fence which has been there for a couple of years and pruned some more of the trees in front of the house. I stretched the rest of the roll of chicken wire which I started on yesterday, it just reached part way down the plum orchard fence. I also cut a hole in the yard fence and let one pen

of hens out to-night they were tickled to death and soon explored the whole plum orchard and most of them got out through the fence where there is no poultry netting. They didn't all find the way back to roost and we found one on a fence post way back the lane. John Wess McBride came over to-night about seven before we had had our tea, and got Dad. to go over and look at one of his mares which was sick. I went back with them and we didn't get back to supper till about half past nine. Dad didn't know what was the matter with the mare. She didn't seem very sick but was breathing very hard when we got there and was a little stiff in the nigh fore leg. Before we left her breathing got better and Dad. said he hadn't the slightest idea what ailed her. John Wess was up all night last night with Ray Lampkin's who died about ten o'clock this morning. Beautiful day, hot. windy to-night.

Sunday April 19th

Frank went to church and Sunday school this morning and Dick got up at noon had dinner and went down town, with the intention of attending church to-night but the rest of the family stayed home. I didn't like the idea of going to church and coughing or blowing my nose all through service so we just did chores and sat around. Ed. came over this after noon with Marion, he brought over a couple of dandy plans for the pig pen, the side elevation and ground floor plan. Frank stayed at Huby's to dinner. Huby said that Charlie McQueen told him he had seen our hen turkey over in Preston's woods Frank went to look for her but didn't see her. It rained most of the morning but not hard. Cloudy most of the day but very mild The wheat and grass has got very green to-day.

Monday April 20th

Huby & I spent the whole morning clearing the brush of the lawn and we got it all nicely raked and the brush piled in the plum orchard. Dad. put in the forenoon receiving visitors Dick Faulmsbe was the first caller. Billy {Faloun?} then came in for a long time. He has a sick horse and Bruce wanted him to get Dad's advice. He said {Buse?} was just about bushed, he had been practicing night and day and every thing he has been doctoring this spring has died. Charlie Martin then "dropped in on us" for awhile and the purport of his mission was to ascertain whether it would be convenient to smoke his meat in our smoke house. As Dad. has our meat just about ready to smoke, he told Charlie to bring his over any time so he came over with five pieces after dinner This after noon we put the fence up against the posts in the barn yard. We braced one anchor post well by putting wire around it and around the corner post in the barn but we couldn't stretch the wire tight although we had

all of old Mr. Walker's outfit but the other anchor post was in very soft earth and the brace post was fairly floating. We forgot to get any staples so couldn't fasten it to the posts but we got so that we think it will keep the cattle out in till we can stretch it better. It has been cloudy and rather raw all day and drizzled & rained all the after noon. Mrs McBride was here washing all day. Huby brought over the grape vine that was down at the boat house and planted it along the front fence it has a big root & stalk.

Tuesday April 21st

Huby brought over another grape vine this morning and set it out down under the old willow. After breakfast he and I set fire to the pile of brush in the plum orchard it didn't burn very fast but it nearly all burned up. Dad. was very busy attending to a new bull calf which arrived this morning and for whose arrival Bobbie is responsible. We hung the meat in the smoke house and he and Huby started to build a stake and rider fence four panels long from the north west corner of the old barn to within a gate's width of the north anchor post of the new fence. We got it up by noon and it is a dandy about seven feet high I went over to Jack Martin's with some eggs and to ask him about getting an incubator as I think I will have to have one or no chickens none of the hens show any symptoms of wanting to sit. I found out he has one he wants to sell it being to small or something for him. It is a "Peerless" and he said he would let me have it and the brooder for half price or seventeen dollars. He told me he was paying me 36 cts a dozen for my eggs, so I have sold him more than enough eggs to pay for the outfit. This after noon we built five more panels of stake & rider fence from the north east corner of the big barn to the north west corner of the horse stable and we fixed up an old gate to put at the gate way between the old barn and new fence at the end of the rail fence we built this morning. We didn't get it quite fixed but set it up so now have the barnyard pretty well fenced. John Wess was in to-night to see if it would be all right to work his mare to-morrow. Dad. said he thought it would be all right for although her leg is swollen she seems all right every other way. Cloudy and raw all day.

Wednesday April 22nd

Huby didn't get over till late this morning he had gone over to Stickney's to get his rubber boots fixed and then up to Val. Leaney's to see Bill Rankin about fixing an old saw he has and he saw so many people that he couldn't get away but when he did get here we hooked old Harry to the stone boat and started to clean the brush out of the orchard, we hauled it up to the far end of the orchard and piled it

where we burned it before. This morning we just had the little stone boat but it took such a small load that Dad. nailed a couple of boards to it and we found we could put more than twice as much on but when we started up the brush caught on the ground and the stone boat pulled out from under it, but Dad. got another board and put down the middle so there was no space for the brush to stick in the ground and it went all right. Huby and I went up with every load one on each side with a bar jammed into the brush for a lever to hold it on. We put on big loads and packed them well by taking the long iron bar and putting it accross the top of the load every now and then and one got on each end of the bar and bear down with all our weight and every now and then Huby would walk up the load and tramp on it. By to-night we had nearly all the brush which was separated from the big limbs cleaned up, spare moments Huby painted the places on the trees where he cut big limbs off and has got over most of the trees. Alfred paid us a visit this after noon he had come up the gully with a fish spear on a "wild goose chase" so he said and just stopped in on his way home. By today's paper we see that the Mexican war with the U.S. has started. The Americans have taken the Vera Cruz custom house with only four of their men killed and about 200 Mexicans. Canon Hicks died yesterday with pneumonia so Dick told us. It has been a lovely sunny day with a drying breeze.

Thursday April 23rd

We finished the orchard up to-day, it looks very nice and neat. We got the brush all hauled up by noon but are going to leave it till Saturday if it is a nice day so Lila can see it. We hauled the big limbs up and piled them between the old house and the woodshed. We also hauled the old stump of the dead tree that we cut down last winter up to the house and to-night before we took old Harry of the stone boat Huby and I hauled the old shoes which have been in the garret over the old house since the days of Titus up to the brush pile and dumped them. There was an awful pile of them. Huby brought over some suckers with him this morning that Quint caught and Frank went fishing after school to-night and caught seven perch down at the pier. They are about the first he has got since he has been here. Enah got a letter from Louise to-day inviting her down next Wednesday night to hear the new organ in St. Pauls cathedral. It is supposed to be the best organ in America and they are having the best payed organist in the world to play it so it ought to be good. Of course she said she couldn't go but there is no reason what ever why she can't as so I guess she will

It has been a nice sunny day but a cold raw wind this morning. I got twenty three eggs from the white chickens alone to-day.

Friday April 24th

After we did up the chores this morning Huby and I went back with some old rags and a bottle of crude oil to make torches to burn of the blue grass field. It was just the day for the job with a little east wind and when we set fire at the east end of the field it swept over the whole area in no time. It burned quite a few of the fence posts and the first thing we knew it was in the wood. It was not burning fast in there but was spreading steadily Huby said we would have a very hard job putting it out and we might better let it go as it would be a good thing to clean the ground up and was not hot enough to hurt the little trees. He didn't think it would burn far any way so we took a walk over to McQueens in quest of the lost turkey hen, we found Charlie at the black smith trade shoeing a team for Phil {Shaver?} and the old man outside. As John Henry Butler is about dead and Ralph Waddle is sick Charlie picks up quite a lot of business. Coming home Huby and I separated and looked both sides of McQueens gully and through Preston's wood. We had Bluch and he put up a rabbit but we saw no sign of the turkey but just as we were about home coming along the top of Ivey's gully Bluch scared her up, we didn't find her nest but left her back there. It was nearly noon when we got to our gully and we thought of coming up to dinner but on second thought we decided to see how the fire in the wood was progressing. The blue grass field was black all over but the wood was full of smoke and after we got in a little way we found Dad. who had seen the fire in the wood and come back and had been fighting to keep it away from Evan's fence. It had got pretty well all through the wood but hadn't got to the fence yet, we all three fought for an hour or so and at last got it about stamped out of course there were stumps on fire. I was by myself most of the time and Huby and Dad had an awful time trying to keep it away from a few panels of rail fence between us and John Wess but about one or after we thought it was safe to leave till after dinner, then Huby and I went back again. We found it all out through the wood except a few stumps but it had started up at the fence again and completely destroyed it for a fence as the rails in two panels were nearly burned up and we had to tear them down and throw them on to the burnt territory. It had also started in the grass on the other side again and if we had been a few minutes later it would have been into Evan's wood and we would have had our morning's fun repeated. We were back there all the after noon trimming

the trees along the edge of the wood whose branches hang over the field. We looked at the fence again before we came up to-night but it seemed to be out so we left. It looks like rain to-night and if it does that will fix it. Nice day but cloudy. Dad started disking on the corn stubble this morning but found it too wet in spots. Sam Law was harrowing they are the only ones I know of around here who have tried it at all

Saturday April 25

It was raining when we got up this morning but cleared of during the fore noon. Huby came over and worked at the old house and sawed wood most of the day. I spent most of the morning making a hopper for my little chickens so the turkeys can't steal their food. This after noon I drove Enah down to doo some shopping and she walked back Lila came over this after noon. Win was coming over but she thought it would be too wet to burn the bonfire in the orchard so didn't come when I got home, we went out to try it, it was a little too wet but Huby got a fire started in one place and it would probably have gone but a big thunder storm came up about six and not only quenched the fire but drove them all in from looking after it. Huby and Lila stayed to tea but as it stopped raining they went down afterwards. Dad. Frank & I had a bath to-night (for a change). There was another editorial in the "Maple Leaf" everlastingly raking Vyse down. Every body seems to think Vyse will try to enter a libel suit against L.G. but I guess its all true about him

Sunday April 26th

I was up fairly early this morning so was able to get the chores all done, get ready and drive Enah down to church on time. There was a very short service and no sermon as Mr. Johnson felt sick. This after noon I went down town for a little while. I went around by Hubys and found him pruning his apple trees he is getting them in pretty nice shape. Dick went through his Sabbath routine. Frank went back to the gully and the rest of the family stayed home for company's sake. Cloudy and breezy all day not a bad day.

Monday April 27th

I finished making my little chicken feed hopper this morning all but putting the hinges on the lid. I didn't do any thing else much. Huby didn't get over till late this morning as he waited for Stickney to see if he had the post auger, he hadn't but said Stocker would make it and some of them would bring it down in a day or two. Sam Law came over after Dad. to go down and see his pig. Huby brought down over some stone nest eggs and put them in the various turkey nests. This after noon Dad. spent the after noon getting his hair cut and Huby and I sorted the apples and cleaned out the cellar. Tonight I went down to band practice. Harry Moon wasn't there but we had a good practice Murray was there with his picilo and a new man who is learning the clarinet. Cloudy mostly cool

Tuesday April 28th

We didn't get much done this morning. Huby and I cleaned out the wood shed and chored around. This after noon I took some eggs (three dozen) over to Jack Martin's. I am going to save all the eggs from both pens now for myself till I get enough to fill the incubator. I have ninety three now. I got twenty five altogether to-day, the most I have got yet. Sam. Law came after Dad. again to go and see a cow. When we got back we made some alterations in the site of the building in the back yard and to-night the view from the dining room window is considerably improved. Tupper was in to-night to say that he wants Dad. to put a team on the road scraper to-morrow but it is raining to-night so we will probably be relieved from the job. Cousin Clare came over this morning to stay till Enah gets back from Toronto. It has been very hot and muggy all day feels very much like rain.

Wednesday April 29th

I got up about four this morning and the rest of the family soon after. Dad. drove Enah down to the station, and as Belle was a little nervous of the train shunting around he let her out a little way up the street just as Mr. Barwell came along he was bound for Toronto too so she was alright. Huby came back with Dad. I didn't do much to-day except plant out some little daisy plants in the front border bed and fix it up a little. Cousin Clare brought the plants over. I had to stay with Tiddums a little while after dinner. He has been very good all day especially as he hasn't been able to be out although he is lonesome of course. Huby worked around out side and cleaned out the old house nicely. Jim Waddle came after Dad. just before dinner to go and see a sick colt and he didn't get back till about three o'clock. It has been a miserable day. Cloudy and chilly. Rained a lot during the night and drizzled off and on all day.

Thursday April 30th

Frank McBride came over before breakfast this morning with some maple syrup which Mrs. Carpenter sent to Frank. He told us just where we Aleta had found the turkey's nest in Ivey's gully over near Preston's fence, so after breakfast Huby and I went back to look for it, we found the place but didn't see any nest so went over to ask Aleta. On our way over we saw the old turkey on the other side of Preston's wood. Aleta told us the nest was just where she we had been looking but as she had taken the eggs out of it, we thought she might have moved so went down to the mill to ask Clarence Ferris as he had found it before and taken two eggs out. He said it was in

the same place, we got the two eggs from him and the five Aleta had taken and went back and found what we supposed to be the empty nest but although we searched for quite awhile we could find no sign of the old turkey. We brought the eggs home and and got Huby's gloves which have been back at the wood ever since the fire. This after noon Huby lined out his ditch at the end of the old garden and got it started the whole length. I did chores and fooled around and Dad. put in most of the day minding Tiddums who is terribly home-sick. Winnie came over after school while he was alone with Cousin Clare and she supposes he thought it was Enah for when he was terribly disappointed when he recognised Win. To-night I went down to a surprise party of Hazel Silverthorne's. The sewing club was meeting at her place and she invited eight or nine boys over, we all rounded up at the bank and went over in a body. We played pedro which I don't know any more about than I do about making toads, but still I would have had a great time only my head ached and I felt rather sick for some unknown reason. We also played a lot of other games to add to the card playing score. One table blew bubbles, another cut out paper dolls, another speared peanuts in a bowl with hat pins, next played crocono, next snipped buttons and the other made some sort of rhymes, we had dandy refreshments but I couldn't take much and felt so rotten before I left that I forgot to say good-night. Dad. went down and met Enah. She said she had a great time "to the city" and enjoyed the organ very much. Tiddums was glad to see her but didn't kick up much fuss over it. Art. Quanbury came over to-night with my incubator and brooder. Nice day but rather raw.

Friday May 1st

Huby and I put on a small load of hay this morning and this after noon Dad. hauled it over to the barn for the cows we then put on a pretty good sized load and Dad. & Huby unloaded it in the horse stable, while I took little Joe and drove Cousin Clare home. Tupper came over this morning to get Dad. to put a team on the road scraper, but Dad rode down with him to Sam Law's and got him to go on instead. Whit. Dixon came in while he was gone after a pig for Bob. Miller, he brought two of the most horrible looking sheep I ever saw. He said Bob. had had them down in the barn in a crate and nobody fed them much except Mrs. Tate. He said Bob. wanted him to bring them over here and if Dad. didn't want to keep them till they got in shape to kill to leave them for a few days anyway, Whit. said he supposed Bob. thought if he got them unloaded here they would stay. The poor things could hardly stand up when

they took them out of the waggon and they have been gorming grass ever since they got loose. Whit. was telling Huby and me all about his western experiences, he is sick of it. We sent down the biggest pig with Whit. Huby worked. Mrs. McBride was here all day housecleaning. Sunny with cool breeze.

Saturday May 2nd

After I did chores this morning I went over to Martin's and borrowed Art Quanbury's spirit level and leveled up my incubator and started the lamp going, I won't put the eggs in till I see how it is going to go. George Holden and his brother brought the fifty Carolina poplars and the two English wallnuts. I heeled them in the garden and this after noon Huby and I planted them out. We planted the two wallnuts out in front. They were very healthy looking trees and a good size. It was pretty late when we got them planted so we just took ten poplars back to the gully, we put them out in the east end of the gully mostly on the flat. but a couple on the hill, we stuck slips in all over mostly on ant hills. We didn't get back till about seven o'clock. Huby stayed to tea and he and Frank set fire to the bonfire in the orchard but it didn't burn well and they had to leave it after being out there an hour or two, sunny and nice to-day but cool

Sunday May 3rd

Dad. and I intended going to church to-day but. First of all we didn't get up very early, then Fred's calf got into the pig yard and the old sow got out so Dad. had to fix it. Then I noticed old split ear walking lame over in the pasture and we found the wall of her foot was turned over. While we were trimming her feet up, Mr. Brirely came along and stayed till about noon telling us all about chickens and things. He said he would come over in a night or two to see if the incubator is going all right. I think I will fill it up to-morrow. I have the temperature up to about 103° now. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove out to Jim Waddle's. I just sat around the house while they were gone and read a little, snoozed a little, practiced a little on my horn and a little on the guitar. Frank went back to the gully but I don't think it had changed much since last night, he got some wild flowers. Dick spent the after noon in town, which I have no doubt he also will find in much the same condition as when he last saw it. He will likely go to church to-night. It has been a lovely day quite hot. Dad is afraid it will rain before long if it doesn't we are going to start work on the land to-morrow if all is well.

Monday May 4th

We got a fairly early start this morning and I had both teams cleaned and ready to slap the harness on and start farming but just about seven it began to rain. It didn't last long but plenty long enough to put an end to starting operations to-day. It came out sunny and a nice breeze after the shower but this after noon it was more cloudy and threatening. It is very hot and lightening to-night. Dad. and Huby fixed the wind mill rod which Dad. broke yesterday and I took Art Quanbury's spirit level back and got a few final instructions about the incubator. I filled it up about noon and by to-night she was up to 97° and blowing off. I didn't know whether to regulate it or not but I happened to overtake Mr. Brirely coming home to-night and he told me I should. This after noon Dad. and Huby went back to the gully and fixed the fence as well as they could as there will soon bee picking enough to let the young stock out I started to grub out the trees between along the fence between the plum orchard. I got a couple of little plum trees out but didn't get any of the cherries {out?} We want to set out a cedar hedge along there if we ever get time. I went down to band practice to-night and we had pretty fair practice. Harry Moon wasn't there but Mid. is back home now and he was there.

Tuesday May 5th

It was pouring rain when we got up this morning and kept it up till the middle of the after noon and it had been raining most of the night. Dad was pretty well disgusted but that didn't seem to do much good. I got a loaf of bread last night and left it up in the band room so this morning I drove Dick down town and went up and got it. Dick had a bad toothache last night. Huby hadn't come over so I went around and got him, he thought there wouldn't be any thing to do if it rained but he came over so to be there in case it cleared up. We didn't do any thing much all day. He worked at the old house tacking up old window blinds for wall covering. He brought a lot of burlap over the other day and is going to use it to but the wind blows through it more that it does the blinds. He scraped some of the apple trees when it quit raining. Enah broke a tooth to-day so had to go down and get it fixed while Dad. minded Tiddums.

Wednesday May 6th

I didn't get up till late this morning, and haven't done any thing much but chores all day. I had to turn my eggs in the incubator twice to-day. Huby and Dad. squared up the old block they got from the dead apple

tree in the orchard. It make a beauty and is good and solid. Huby dug quite a bit at his ditch and Dad. took the storm windows off. Whit Dixon came in this after noon and got another pig. Two other fellows were in they wanted Dad. to go down to Henderson's to-night and have a look at their big black Percheron stallion. They want to travel him down this way. Dad. got notice of a school board meeting to-night so he went down. I got chores done up early hoping to take Osprey out for a run before dark but it began to rain just before dark. It has been very hot all day and felt like rain. I don't think it rained very hard nor long Winnie & Jonny Miller were over for awhile before tea.

Thursday May 7th

We put the halter on Pommer's for the first time this morning and tied him in Joes stall for awhile, he was pretty crazy at first but soon quieted down when he found there was no use fighting. We put the harness on Osprey and I took him down to the corner and back. He felt pretty gay and looked fine. Dad. and Huby cleaned up a lot more of the old barn floor. This after noon we hooked up Osprey and Harry to the waggon and the whole three of us went down to Billy Cunningham's to get Dave's cart. We found him and Billy Loan building a house. He said he had brought the cart up to Bobbie McMullins two or three weeks ago so Huby is going to bring it over in the morning We got a couple of nice little silver birch trees in Hammond's back on our way home and Huby set one out on the lawn. He wants to put the other in the gully. We saw Tom Abbot and he gave us our cream check. It wasn't very high this month as butter has gone down. We only got a little over 19 dollars. Tom told us that Wilbur and Orpha Ryersie are the proud parents of a daughter. We met another man with an Iron grey Percheron stallion to-day. Huby said he liked the black one the best, but Dad. liked this one the best in some ways although he had poor legs. T.A. Ivey was in this morning to have his old mare's teeth fixed and also to get Dad to attend a friendly meeting to the farmer's who will be affected by some ditch on the other road that he wants the council to put in. It won't really affect any body much but him. Osprey went fine we had a stay chain on old Harry's double tire. None of the farmers down that way have any oats in and we didn't see any wheat that could beat ours east of the orchard. It has been very nice to-day and clear to-night. Tiddums isn't very well to-night

Friday May 8th

Huby went around by Bobbie McMullin's this morning to see if he had our cart done but it wasn't quite finished. He took the other birch trees back to the gully and planted it out and set two little ones which were in the earth at the roots of the other one. Dad and I started to measure the distance from the road to the gully along the lane and orchard fence so as to get the fence we are going to put along the top of the gully the same distance from the road (concession) at the east end as at the west where it joins the lane fence at right angles. We got as far as the north orchard fence at right an when it was raining so hard we had to stop. Huby. put some more burlap and paper on the walls of the shop and late this after noon dug some more at his ditch. This after noon Dad. went down to Sam. Law's after the butter and I took a couple of dozen eggs over to Quanbury's as John was over and said Art. wanted to get them I had quite a visit with Charlie who was planting potatoes. He has his garden nearly all in and it looks fine. Enah went down to the Methodist church for choir practice as they want her to sing with the "Mothers day bunch" on Sunday. Frank went down with her intending I think to take in the movie. Tiddums doesn't feel very well yet. I started to cut the lawn to day but it was not long enough for the lawn mower. I couldn't see where I had gone.

Saturday May 9th

I started after breakfast towards town to head Huby off with the cart he was going to haul over because as we were going down in the waggon we thought it was too bad for him to draw it all the way over here, but when I got to Martin's I saw Art Quanbury and he was showing me how to test eggs and when I got back to the side walk Huby had come and as he had got so far he persisted in taking it all the way. It was a good cart but will need a little patching. We then hooked up Harry and Belle to the waggon and went down town. We got four big anchor posts and four small posts, some siding for the shop, lime for the chicken house and plaster for the kitchen. We saw Harry Ansley and he gave us three nice white fish. This after noon I took some eggs over to Martin's. Art Quanbury wanted another half dozen, he wanted two settings instead of two dozen. Huby planted out a lot more of the poplars along the rail fence. I went out with him when I got back and we got a lot put out on both sides of the corner field. Mr. Lawrie was here when we came up. He Huby and Lila stayed to tea. Lila came over this after noon and rode Frank's bicycle and she and Frank went back to the wood. Frank put a lot of the siding on the shop.

Dad. has felt very miserable all day and his muscles ache all over his body. Up till to-day it has just been in his arms. He is afraid it is rheumatism. It has been a lovely day. Quite hot this morning but nice fresh breeze this after noon.

Sunday May 10th

We got up rather late this morning and I have had my old clothes on all day. Frank went down to Sunday school but didn't go to church this morning I drove Enah down and on my way home fell in with Jimmy and Billie Rankin who boned me for a ride so I brought them over to see Bluch who was overjoyed to see them. They went back to the gully with Frank and got some flowers and went home with Dick when he drove down after Enah. It rained a little now and then during the day so I think Frank was prevented from making his periodical call on the gully this after noon but Dick went down town. He was pretty tired last night and had some excuse for sleeping all morning. Wiggins offered him a quarter yesterday if he would cut the lawn around the bank so he started in at two o'clock, when he got it done Mr. Hobbes offered him double the price of cutting the two lawns if he would cut his lawn too so Dick kept right at it till eight o'clock and then with out any supper started to work at his balance sheets or whatever it was. This morning his hands were blistered all over and as he didn't get up to breakfast he went twenty four hours without a meal but made $1.30 out of it. He has been ledger seeker for the last week and balanced up very easily the other night. To-night I drove Enah and Frank down to church Enah turned Methodist for to-night as she is going to sing with the mothers this being their "day" I met Hazen on his way over to tak his girl to church so I gave him a ride over. When I let him out at Flemming's, I found Bluch who in spite of all our commands to go home had followed us down was not following me back so I went back and as I expected found him at Rankin's. After quite a lot of coaxing I induced him to get into the buggy and brought him home. It would have been a nice day but for a shower ever now and then. Tiddums feels very rotten to-day - cutting teeth.

Monday May 11th

It rained a good deal to-day so we didn't do very much, but remark on the inclemencey of the weather. We saw Reeve Vyse go past with his disks just before it began to rain but after going a few rounds it chased him in. We could see old Sam

at it for quite awhile but at last he had to give up no doubt in disgust. Dad. and I put on a load of hay this morning and Huby oiled up the little dining room stove and pipes and put it away. This after noon I made a bootjack. I have tugged and pulled and nearly broken the rungs out of the kitchen chairs ever since I have got my rubber boots trying to pull them off at night and now when it is about sollid enough to do with out them I have made a neat little boot jack; however it will be ready for next season and I have hung it handy in the wood shed for us anytime we get mad. Huby covered more of the walls of the shop with some stiff wrapping paper he got from Tip. Varey and tinkered around. Dad. minded Tiddums who is fare from scoocum to-day. Geordie Allan was over for a little while, he is just up to Dover for a visit. To-night Chris Quanbury came over and test my eggs for me, he found 32 infertile out of the 138 which he said was a better test than most of theirs were doing. It is just about 23% bad. Raining hard with thunder and lightening to-nigh.

Tuesday May 12th

It poured rain nearly all day. It let up for awhile at noon and hasn't rained much since five to-night, but there was a steady downpour the rest of the time. Every thing is covered with water, and it looks as if we'd have to postpone some of the features in the game of farming for another season. I was pretty busy all day. This morning I cleaned all the straw out of the hen houses and this after noon started to white wash them. I couldn't find the white wash brush so I had to use a broom so I don't know whether it will make much improvement in appearance but will smarten the place up. I got the pen this way white washed and part of the one we brought over from Huby's and used a pail of white wash, then I had to quit to do chores. Huby came over this after noon and worked at the old house. Dad did think of taking Joe down to Bobby McMullan to be shod but when he was ready thought better of it. Tom. Abbot came after the cream this morning and request Dad not to mention the weather, he hears enough about it.

Wednesday May 13th

I finished white washing the other hen house this morning. I did white wash the pen where the colored hens are as I had no place to let them out and they make such a fuss if I try to work with them in there. Huby scraped some of the trees in the orchard this morning but it started to rain so he came in and worked at the

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shop it didn't rain long but he worked in there most of the day. He put some of the white wash I had left over on the trees he scraped. Dad. took Joe down to be shod this morning but Bobby McMillian's shop was full so he came home. He doesn't want to take her to Joe Howel for fear she will make him mad, and he says Ralph Waddle knows too much. Bob. Davis was in this after noon with Bycler's big black horse. He is certainly a nice looking one. I put another broody hen up over the hog pen to-night. I don't know whether she will sit or not as I didn't notice her setting till to-day. It has been cloudy all day with a little rain before dinner and to-night the sun was out.

Thursday May 14th

We spent quite awhile giving Pommers a lesson on the halter. We took both the colts out and I held Queen while Dad. and Huby worked awhile with Pommers. We then let them run in the front field the rest of the day. We put Joe in the box stall for the day and Dave in Joe's stall but put them all back in to night and Dave out, he was pretty lonesome as we let all the young stock back the lane to-day and left them back. We let the cows back too but didn't let them out after they were milked to-night. This after noon Dad. put the harness on Dave and took him down the road a little way. It was the first time he has had a bit in his mouth so didn't do so badly. When we get him broken Huby is going to take him for his driver. We are very glad we didn't shoot him last fall as we intended. This morning we three boys went back and fixed a good set a bars from the gully into the blue grass field on the west side next John Wess's (the field not the bars). Dad cut new bars in the wood. We took the chain back and measured our share of John Wess's line fence. It was just 10 chains and one foot. We want to put up a new fence there if we can. This after noon Dad. and I put off the load of hay we loaded up for the horse stable the other day and Huby put out the rest of the young poplars. Stan Lowrie was in this morning to have Dad. look at his horse's mouth. He says some of them down there around Nanticoke have oats in but they are afraid after this rain they will rot in the ground. The rain caused a lot of damage up in Western Ontario, The whole country was flooded in places and they say even barns floated off their foundations. Poor Tiddums is pretty sick to-night. Cutting teeth, whooping cough and fever. Lovely day sunny & mild.

Friday May 15th

I got up about four o'clock this morning to choke off the

alarm clock. I wanted to get out anyway before the hens did as I discovered yesterday that the old duck was laying in the chicken yard and so I wanted to leave the yard open for her to get in during the night but as I don't let the same pen out two days in succession I had to get up before the hens to shut it up. I didn't think to shut them in the house but I will hereafter I hope. Dick brought home word last night that Mr. Hobbes wanted two settings of eggs so I went over to ask Jack Martin if he wanted them especially but he wasn't home and Chris was down town so I sent them down. Vyse was over for awhile, after breakfast Huby got the brush heap in the orchard burned at last. I threw the brush out of the pig yard and helped him carry it over to the fire. After we burned it we started to clean up the wheat. We got it all cleaned by about half past four this after noon. There was only about forty bushels of it cleaned we put a coarse seive in the bottom so got a lot of stuff in the drip box nearly enough to fill up the chicken feed bin. When we got it done Huby and I tore down and piled up handy to where we could get them with the waggon what few rails were left from the old barn yard fence. Sunny but raw wind all day. Sam Law was on his field to-day but Tom Abbot says it is very mucky. Poor Tiddums is very miserable, the whooping cough is back again.

Saturday May 16th

Lila came over with Huby first thing this morning and has been over all day. Jim Bannister sent over word with them for Dad. to come over as his mare was just foaling. Dad. has been over two or three times during the day - and is there now with Frank. Burt is there from Simcoe, and Dad. says he is afraid Jim will lose the mare, the colt I think is dead. Dad. and I hauled up a load of rails this morning from the old barn yard fence and then took the wheat to the mill. We made two trips of it and took down three sacks of oats for chop. We had 44 bushels and 14 lbs of wheat and it is just a dollar a bushel so we did gain a little by waiting after all. After dinner Huby and I went back to the wood and were gone nearly all the after noon but we got a beautiful little elm and set it out out here near the drive house and just behind the anchor post for this lane fence, we got it out in the open and it is a perfect shape and as we didnt cut much of the top off it will be pretty from the first. Frank and Lila went back with us but went the other way when we got to the gully and got a lot of flowers and some merels which Huby found the other day and told them about. Our little tree was all out in leaf but Huby took great pains in planting it, and he thinks

with the attention we will be able to give it being so near the house that it will grow. Dad. was going down town this afternoon but as we didn't get back he didn't go so I helped him milk and then hooked up Joe and took Huby & Lila down, we took Win in at Uncle Ward's and she went up and got the stuff for me. I gave Joe Thompson a lift over the hill and old Mrs. Martin home from about Chris Quanbury's. Lovely day sunny and dry. Messers Flemming & Evans scraped the road again.

Sunday May 17th

Frank went down alone to church and Sunday School this morning. After breakfast Dad. and I went over to Jim Bannister's for a little while, the mare was dead and buried. Vyse was there and Jack Spain soon came. When we got home, we hooked Joe and Osprey up to the buggy and took them around the block. Joe was the worst colt of the two but they went fine. Dick got up for dinner and he and I played catch for awhile before he went down town. Then Frank and I went back to the gully and went in for a swim in Robert John's big pool. The water was pretty cold at first but after we got out and let the wind blow more it felt warm to get in. I came home about four and unintentionally went to sleep. Dad. Enah and Tiddums were all out for a drive and while things were in this condition Mr. & Mrs. John Shand came, they never woke me up and so thought no one was home, pinned a note on the door and left but Dad. and Enah just came along as they were going out the lane so they came back. I got the chores done as quickly as possible and got ready and went down to church. I overtook Quint. After church I went up with him to see Big George about a fishing excursion to-morrow but he wasn't home so Quint came over as far as Martin's with me. Dick came along while we were talking. He said he felt pretty sick so we came home and he went to bed. It has been a lovely day, Sunny and a little breeze.

Monday May 18th

I woke up about three o'clock and heard Dad prowling around, he said he had just come back from town. Al Faulkner had come over after him to go and see his colt, which had got tangled up in the halter shank and was in awful shape. I got up at four o'clock and would have been ready to get a good early start on the land but for visitors. First Mr. Porter drove in then a little while afterwards old Mr. Duncan, he had what he thought to be a sick cow and wanted Dad

to go up so Dad. didn't get out at all this morning and I didn't till about nine. When Dick got up he felt very miserable and was bound to go to work but they persuaded him not to so he lay down and slept most of the day and Dad. on his way to Duncan's stopped in and told Wiggins. Huby and Dad. started for Duncan's but met old Bill who told them the horse cow was alright. I got over the field once lengthwise with the disks and started to go again and Dad. gave it a good harrowing this afternoon. Huby took my team for awhile after dinner while I got a rest ready to set a hen. Sam. Law came over and borrowed the drill at noon, he has his piece about in shape. Mrs McBride was here washing all day. To-night I went down to band practice and didn't get to bed till eleven Lovely day sunny and not too hot

Tuesday May 19th

I was up at four again this morning, the way I manage it I wind the alarm clock up so it will ring for quite awhile and set it over on the bureau where I can't reach it from the bed. Then in the morning it makes such a clatter that I can't stand the noise so have to get up to smother it and once I'm up I stay up although I felt pretty tough for awhile this morning. Try as we did we weren't able to get in the field before eight, but we got both teams started about the same time and got a pretty good day in I finished the field lengthwise and got more than half over it crosswise. Dad harrowed it both ways and is now following me down crosswise with the harrows. He thinks when we get done that way, it will be in good shape to drill. It was a hard day on the poor little team, they are too tired to eat to-night. I had to make several trips to the ditch to swab my eyes off with cold water and keep them from going to sleep. Old Bluch plodded up and down after the disks all day long. Once I took the little team and harrowed to keep awake when I wasn't near the ditch and poor Bluch was badly puzzled. He didn't know which one of us to follow. Sam Law brought the drill back and left it in the field. Vyse drilled his piece in to-day. I set two hens to-night on thirty eggs. Huby worked around here and helped mind Tiddums all day. Dick felt better to-day but didn't go to work. He went down town this after noon to get his tooth fixed and didn't feel quite so well to-night. Cars. Rankin went by here to-day with an automobile they just bought. They have started to take down the dam bridge. They are going to put up a new stone one. It has been a nice day but pretty hot.

Wednesday May 20th

Four o'clock for mine again this morning and I didn't feel so sleepy during the day as I got to bed at ten last night. I did have one little short snooze on the disks while the horses were resting. Water is getting pretty hard to find now, but I located some in the wood to swab my eyes with. I got out soon after eight, and finished cross disking then hooked on the harrows and cross harrowed from where Dad left off till noon. Dad. didn't get out till ten o'clock owing to divers hindrances, so he started right in to drill. He put Jonas' oats in on the north headland they went two drill widths the width of the field and quite a few left over. He took out four big two bushel and a half bags and had the drill set for sowing 2 bushels and a peck and used all the seed and didn't quite finish to-night so there is something wrong as we didn't think there was more than four acres in the field. I finished cross harrowing soon after dinner and then took the disks back to the field accross the gully, and got over quite a chunk of it. Huby sowed clover seed to-day on the piece of wheat north of the orchard he also cleaned up around the shop a lot. Dick went to work to-day although he is far from well. It has been fine and pretty hot to-day.

Thursday May 21st

I didn't get over the gully to work till nearly nine o'clock so didn't get through disking till after dinner I then started over it again lengthways with the disks a notch deeper. Dad. finished drilling in the other field, harrowed it all over and brought the harrows back and got a good chunk done in the back field. Huby didn't come over this morning till noon as he had some insurance to attend to. Dick has been home all day and has a pretty sore throat. Fine and sultry.

Friday May 22nd

Dad. had to take my team this morning to run the ditches in the field we have in so I hooked up Joe and took my eggs over to Jack Martin and took Dick down to see Dr. Cook. He gave Dick some pills and I think told him he would be alright soon. When we got home I got a little ice out and put it in the refrigerator which we placed in the kitchen this morning. Dad. had gone back over the gully and was disking but about the time we got home it began to rain. It rained hard enough to persuade Dad. to come in and then stopped for the day although it has been cloudy. Dad. helped me take the old bits of sacking from the chicken house windows and

put in poultry fencing. Dad. and I went back after dinner and he harrowed and I disked but didn't get quite over the piece. I had to stop for awhile to drive a herd of cattle into out of Sam Law's wheat. I took Bluch and he chased them into the wood's so I suppose they were Art Ryersies. Huby had more insurance to look after so didn't get over till after dinner. I got up at four o'cock this morning but went to sleep saying my prayers and slumbered peacefully till nearly five. Tom Abbot told us this morning that Edna Sidway isn't expected to live.

Saturday May 23rd

Dad. and I got a fairly good day's work in on the land to-day, he harrowed and I disked. I am part way over it crossways and have the disks set in the last hole but one except on the sand knolls. It makes them {lug?}. John Wess was over for a long time this morning talking to Dad. He is working on his buckwheat stubble. Huby and Lila came over this morning early and during the fore noon Quint and Charlie Ferris brought a ferrit over. They were going to put him after the rats under the corn crib but he was so big he couldn't get into their holes. They burned the three corn shocks in the field but didn't get any there either. Huby cleaned the ditches most of the afternoon in the sowed field. He got a toad and put on the front lawn to eat ants. Dick was better to-day and was down town this after noon, but Frank is all in to-day. He took the lawn mower down to be sharpened but feels tough. Quite cold to-day but mostly sunny.

Sunday May 24th

I haven't been off the place all day. I intended to go to church to-night but went to sleep before tea so couldn't get ready in time. Dad. and Enah & Tiddums drove down with Joe & Ginger this morning. They left Tiddums with Huby while they went to church and Huby took him up to the dam in the scow. There was no organist at church till Enah got there so she had to go down to-night again alone. Elva has quit for sure. I sat around and read nearly all day. This morning when I took the eggs out of the incubator to caul them I could hear the chickens peeping and one or two eggs chipped. To-night one chick is out. Dick got up and went to church this morning stayed at Huby's to dinner, down town all the after noon and came home to tea to-night. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and back to the gully this after noon. Lovely day.

Monday May 25th

Dad. and I both got a pretty fair early start this morning and I nearly finished crossdisking by noon. He drilled all morning but after dinner harrowed with the little team till after dinner I finished disking then took my team and hooked on the drill I finished harrowing with his team only went lengthways instead of crossways which made a much better job. When I finished I brought the little team and the disks up but Dad. stayed back till about seven o'clock and finished drilling. Jack Hodge and family just drove in as I came up and startled poor Huby who was running around in his bare feet. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's with some eggs and I wanted to ask Chris about the brooder. There is an awful grist of chickens out. We sprinkled the eggs that weren't hatched again to-night and I put a fire in the brooder. The boys had holidays to-day but Dick was down town all day working part of the time. Frank worked around home and he and Tony Bannister went back to the gully. Jonas came over in high glee this morning he says he has the prettiest little colt he ever saw, he told Dad. that he and the woman had to dance for the joy of it. It has been very sultry all day and looked very like rain this morning, fresh breeze to-night.

Tuesday May 26th

I didn't get up till half past four this morning, but it rained a little so we couldn't go back first thing any way. Dad. took 38 little chickens out of the incubator and put them in the brooder this morning. I went over and got a little grit and charcoal to feed them from Chris. He says not to give them anything for forty eight hours. Dad. thinks they will all starve to death before that. After dinner we took 23 more out and there are still five or six just hatched. A lot of them have died in the shell after they got it all picked ready to come out. Just before dinner Dad. took the big team and roller back and started roll the back field as we thought that would just break all the lumps nicely. After dinner I went back and hooked on the roller and he came back about an hour later and started to harrow after me. He harrowed till I finished rolling about five o'clock, then he came up with his little team and the roller and I finished harrowing it took me till about seven. Huby. didn't come over this morning but was here this after-noon. He worked at the ditch, sawed wood and minded Tiddums & Frank brought home the news that poor Edna Sidway is dead. It has been way hot and sultry all day but quite a strong breeze.

Wednesday May 27th

Dad. helped me carry my incubator out this morning we took the seven little chickens that were in it and put them in a basket over the stove. I took the unhatched eggs out and buried them, there were forty thirty eight and twenty four of them had chickens in them. There are 68 chicks altogether and they all seem healthy and sound but one of these seven which has crooked legs. Dad. took the big team back to run the the ditches in the back field and I went over to Martins to get some chick feed and scratch feed. We fed the little fellows in the brooder. to-day. They thought over there that I had a dandy hatch especially as it was the first attempt. It began to rain while I was over there and rained quite hard for awhile so I didn't get back very soon. I didn't do any thing much after that except fool around. Huby came over at noon he had insurance to look after and dug some more at his ditch. Dad. disked the garden all up. It had got so hard he thought he had better disk it before he ploughed it. Bob. Davis was in for about an hour. Quint also came over for a little while, he expects to go to work to-morrow. They are drilling at Blackheath whereever that is, somewhere down towards Canfield Junction. Aleta McBain was here house cleaning all day. About half past four we hooked up to the waggon and Dad and I went down and got a load of tile for Huby's ditch. We got three inch as they didn't have any four. We took Enah down to Miss Buckwells tea party and she walked home. Huby looked after Tiddums. It came out pretty hot after the rain but is cooler to-night. The rain freshened things up a lot and we noticed that the English walnuts which we thought were dead are budding.

Thursday May 28th

Old Jonas came over long before breakfast this morning and pestered around for Dad to go and look at his colt and while Dad. was at breakfast Jimmy Corbett came in to ask about his colt. Dad. gave him some stuff, he went over with Jonas with for a few minutes. I made a yard for the little chickens in the brooder and let them out. I also fixed it so as the old hens couldn't get in the yard where they are at all. One little fellow died last night but the rest look fine. Huby came over about nine thinking Dad was going down town before dinner. Vyse came over to fix his hammer handle for a while. About ten o'clock I took the disks out and started in the timothy sod. I worked all the after noon but didn't get over half of it. It is very grassy but I think will work up fine and make a fine

piece for corn. This after noon Dad. & Huby went down town. They got Joe shod at Joe Howells and put in a big load of shaving to put in the ditch over the tile so Dad. didn't get home till about six. It has been very hot all day but breezy, cool to-night.

Friday May 29th

I disked all day on the corn ground and got all over it by to-night and started to straddle the furrows Dad brought the harrows out and worked for a couple of hours before dinner. This after noon he went back and borrowed a set of three horse eveners from John Wess McBride. John Wess was just ready to shear sheep so Dad. stayed and watched him for awhile. Huby laid the tile in the ditch as far as the chicken house which is far as it is leveled and covered them with shavings and got most of the earth shovelled in. Cars. Rankin brought a couple of girls over in his automobile to see Bluch this after noon. I didn't get up till five this morning I put the clock under the bed where I could grab it and consequently went to sleep again. Dick tells us that Norm. Brock is the latest purchaser of a car and Mr. Johnsons father gave him one. Very hot to-day but nice breeze.

Saturday May 30th

I went out this morning and straddled the furrows with the disks as we will put corn on and then started to harrow. I didn't lap the harrows at all so got over quite a piece. Frank and Dad. went down town this morning with the waggon and got some stuff chopped at the mill and the window shash for the shop which have been at the widespread all spring. Huby worked around. This after noon we had to move the stove into the wood shed. We got it out all right but they broke another side of the base or rather the end so we had to set it up on bricks. We then went out hunting. Huby had flooded all the holes with water this morning and ripped some boards off the floor of the corn crib but we found we couldnt get them without taking up nearly the whole floor so we did. We were all armed with clubs and had the three dogs. Dad. stayed inside and scared them out and the dogs would catch them Lila killed one big one with a lath but Bluch killed most of the others. Huby says he is the best rat dog he ever saw he doesn't waste any time about nabbing them and never let one get away. Nig. got one or two. I think we got five great big ones and two half grown ones besides a nest of eleven little fellows. When we got through with them it was too

late for Dad. to plow the garden as he had hoped to do but Huby and Frank surveyed all the land east of the lane and this side of the gully and "got stakes up" to set the fence posts by. They figur there is about fifty acres. Lila has been over all day and Win. came over about five They and Huby stayed to tea. Frank and I went down with them after tea and found they had just laid fresh cement on the bridge and no-one could go over. So we went through Uncle Wards and took Ada's boat down from the barn and launched it for her. She went over with us in the boat and as it leaked like a seive Huby had to make two trips of it. I went up to get my hair cut and Frank went to the moving picture show. Ada was going to wait for us at Huby's so we could go back with her but when I got down there she and Huby had just gone. Frank came soon after I did and when we got down to the bridge Huby was just coming back with the boat so we took it back with us and left it below Woodson's. Dick came home afterwards when the watchmen didn't happen to be around and walked over the cement but didn't leave any tracks. The papers are full of the awful wreck of the Empress of Ireland which went down off Father Point yesterday with nearly 1000 people. It was a heavy fog and another a coal boat ran into her. Hot but nice breeze.

Sunday May 31st

Dad and Enah went to church this morning and left Tiddums with Huby. Dick and I went down and had a swim at the stump the water was fine we then came home and got dinner started Frank went to Sunday school and church. This after noon I had a dandy ride on Joe. We went up to Smythe's but Pud was at Vittoria Frank started for Marburg on his wheel but got held up at Ryersie's and fooled around with them all the after noon. Dick went down town and to church to-night. Enah and I went to church to-night. Mr. Johnson came over with his automobile to take Enah down, so I didn't wait for her after church thinking he would bring her home but walked down as far as the bridge with Quint and then home. I found Dad. looking after Tiddums who was too tired to go to sleep and Dad. having been so beset with visitors that the chores weren't all done. Enah got home about ten I don't what did happen to her except that she went down to Huby's. Cousins' Loll, Bessie, Harry & Willie drove over for a little while this after noon. To-night young Billy Louis came in to get his horse's shoulder lanced and hung around till dark so people wouldn't see the blood. Then Sam. Law came over to see if he could borrow the roller in the morning. Jonas then came for a short visit. It has been hot to-day but a very nice strong breeze.

Monday June 1st

I put in the whole morning writing in this and to Aunty Alice & Aunty, while Dad. ploughed the garden. This after noon I worked down the garden I disked it lengthwise & crosswise a couple of times each and once right around & around. I rolled it and harrowed it so it looks in pretty fair shape. Sam. Law borrowed the roller this morning and he rolled it before he took it away and then again when he brought it back at noon. Dad. spent nearly all the after noon shearing a ewe. He did pretty well and says he thinks if he had a good pair of shears he could do all right. Huby didn't get over this morning as he had to see about Kolbe's insurance. Kolbe was over at Erie so he has to see him about eleven to-night. He goes over to Erie every morning about five o'clock and doesn't get back at night till eleven. Dad. went down to a school board meeting and I went down to band practice. We didn't have any though as there weren't enough there. Walt says we will have to quit for awhile anyway if the council don't come over with the extra money he wants. The town hall was full of meetings. Council meeting, School meeting, band practice and a whole bunch out on the stairs I don't know whether they were all fellows tendering for the heating of the school or the bridge builders waiitng on the council for money. Dad. and I met at Huby's and didn't get home till after twelve. Huby went down to the lake about eleven and found Kolbe & Harry Ansley down there. He got Kolbe's insurance raised and as it has run out will have to make out a new application so won't be over to-morrow fore-noon. Quite cold all day.

Tuesday June 2nd

We didn't get very much done to-day. Jim's calf was sick this morning, all bloated so Dad. & I gave it a dose of salts. It is much better to-night. I went out about eleven and rolled the corn ground till one. I couldn't hear the whistles. This after noon Dad. and I surveyed the field and fence along the top of the gully and decided to put a notch in the fence where the dividing fence between the two fields go. We then measured off six acres of what is ploughed for corn and the remaining four for buckwheat. I came out about half past four and finished rolling the corn ground. Huby didn't come over to-day, I don't know whether he went up to the nomination in Port. Rowan or not. They wanted him to but he said he wasn't going. There are two bunches of delegates going up from here the bunch cosists of Vyse, Cliff Lees and R.E. Matthews and I don't know who go from the other faction. I saw Tupper to-day and he said he might be able to slip over towards the end of the week to shear sheep for us. Bruce was in for a little while before tea. He wanted to get some instruments. It has been sunny but fairly cool all day.

Wednesday June 3rd

We hauled out manure all day to-day. We didn't get started very early and were bothered this afternoon by Bob. Davis coming, so only got out nine loads. Dad. is spreading it on the corn ground. Frank was home from school to-day as it was a sort of half in half holiday, being the King's birthday. The kids could go if they wanted to but it wouldn't be marked against them if they didn't so Frank stayed. We heard the bell ringing all through the day so there must have been some fools there. Frank worked all day putting in the garden and we helped him between loads. Dad. ploughed six potatos furrows this morning and we got the Dad. Atkinson ones planted but there was only three of them so they didn't go very far. Huby planted two rows of Golden Bantam corn and we got in some cabbage and raddishs lettuce and onion seed. Huby's turkey eggs all came out to-day. The one down the road hasn't been off the nest as far as we know since she started to sit so all her eggs were rotten but as near as they can see the one in the smoke house and Mrs. Bannister's old hen had a fairly good hatch. Dad. and I moved the twelve little chickens that hatched out Monday down in the yard where the brooder is, one of them died. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Huby didnt go up to Nomination yesterday but as near as he can find out Andrew Innes and his gang didn't get a chance to say a word as Mr. Slippery Slick at the last minute got ahead of them. Cloudy, cool, raining to-night.

Thursday June 4th

It rained steadily all night and rained a lot during the day. Huby came over this morning laden down with tomato plants and cabbage plants which he got from Ed. and some seed corn which he got from John Quanbury and four of the consignment of axes in the back of his hunting coat. He set out a row of Frank's asters the whole length of the garden and we put out some of the tomato plants but it began to rain so hard we had to quit. However he got them out later in the day and a long row of cabbage plants out. Dad. sowed clover seed on the oats this morning till the rain drove him in when he was within five lands of finishing. We won't have enough seed to sow the piece across the gully. I cleaned the incubator all out and started it going this after noon. I had to go over to Martin's to borrow a spirit level this after noon. Carl. Coleman was in for a little while this morning to see if Tupper was here, he was going up to Stocker's to get his horse shod so Huby told him to bring our post auger down if it was done. John told Huby this morning that Mrs. Battersby has sold her place to some fellow in Los. Angeles. Dick didn't get home at all last night and he expects to start for Toledo to-morrow or next day.

Friday June 5th

I failed to get up till five this morning. After I got the chores all done I cleaned out the separator. I then went out and planted another row of Golden Bantam corn and a couple of rows of Country Gentleman. I also helped Huby cut some potatoes, which he planted. He came over this morning with about a dozen tomato plants which Uncle Ward. gave him. We only wanted three and Frank bought them to-night over at Quanbury's on his way home from {blank space}. After dinner I made some drills and got some of the pecans planted. Tommy Jackson was in here soon after dinner to ask Dad. about a colt and he told us our cattle were all in the far end of the gully so Dad. and I went back we found they had broken down the fence where there were some rails. Nine of them were on the road but not far away we got them back with out much trouble but found they had just torn our little white birch tree all to pieces. Dad. spent most of the day ploughing the pig yard, working it down and sowing the thousand headed kale on it. He also finished sowing the clover seed in the oats. He shut the old sow up this morning and she went to work and had sixteen young ones three of which got killed in the squabble for seats at the refreshment booth which will only accomodate twelve. We gave the eight turkeys that Mrs. Bannister's hen hatched out to the old turkey hen which made her family number twenty two as near as we can count. She struck off into the orchard with them but didn't get very far. Huby and I picked about half of them out of the ditch at noon where they had fallen in the attempt to follow her across. Mr. Monteith was in to-night to buy some seed corn. He has gone past with two loads of tomato plants. Sunny cool

Saturday June 6th

Huby didn't get over till about ten o'clock this morning as he went up town to buy a hoe. He also got some new kind of plants from Arthur Anderson called Holi Rabbi which are a cross between a cabbage and a turnip. Frank went down on his wheel to get some provisions and Mr. Johnson gave him a few plants of stocks. He came over with Huby and Lila rode his wheel over. We started hauling out manure as soon as Huby got here and all day got out 7 loads. The colts broke the wire we had stretched across the gap into the alsike and all got in so Huby, Frank and I had to put them out and fix the fence. I spent most of the day between loads putting in the rest of the peas and Huby dug out some posts which were in the shed covered with manure. He started to paint the window frames of the shop with some paint

he found out in the brush heap. Frank fooled around with Lila most of the day and pulled some bindweed out in the oats. Art Quanbury came over this morning to see if he could borrow the roller for Jack Martin's corn ground and Bill Philips came over this after noon to get it. He told us that Jim Bannister has sold his place for $6000. Dick left this after noon for Toledo to visit Ferdie. His holidays last a couple of weeks. Hot & sunny all day.

Sunday June 7th

I lay "a bed" most of the day not getting up till seven o'clock but I got some chores done and drove Enah down to church. We got home and got through a light lunch early so had a long after noon most of which I spent in sleep although I read and wrote quite a bit too. Dad. and Enah talked of going for a drive till Tiddums went to sleep and then they couldn't. Frank rode his wheel over to the McPherson's and made arrangements to get a skip of bees from Mr. McPherson when they swarm. He is to get a hive from Boyd in Simcoe which will cost four dollars and the bees will cost two dollars I may put something into it if I ever have any money to invest. He and I spoke of going for a swim to-night but it got so rainy looking that we decided not too. It has been sultry and hot all day and to-night is thundering and very cloudy. It sprinkled a few drops.

Monday June 8th

We did not get a very early start this morning though we were up early and ready to begin but Mr. Monteith came for a bushel of seed corn and he visited some little time we hauled out manure till about 10-30 when I had a breakdown, went through the double tree. I heard some one laugh when I went off the road and there was Bruce and Ashleigh in a buggy on the side road they came in and stayed to dinner so we were late in getting to work in the afternoon. Frank rode his wheel down after dinner and got me some bolts and I fixed the double tree. Tobe and Hubert were busy with the garden and odd jobs while I was out with a load. Tupper came along about 5 O'Clock on his way to the mill. Toby took his load on for him and he stayed to shear sheep so I helped him and we worked till after 7 we then had tea and it was good and late before we had finished every thing

It has been a terribly hot day the thunder storm Sunday night did not cool things off. The horses nearly melted this afternoon.

Tuesday June 9th

I finished the shearing as there was one ewe we did not get done last night. Hubert and Toby went back to fix up the fence in the gully between Ivey and us I had my sheep finished and was putting on a load of manure when the boys got back, we hoped to have finished clearing out the old shed tonight but there are a few loads yet it has been another roasting hot day.

Wednesday June 10th

We finished hauling out manure at noon and after dinner I went down to Mr. Fleming's and got his diamond tooth harrows, it took some time to rig up a three horse outfit when I got back. Hubert helped me hitch Osprey with Joe and Ginger and I got in an hour and a half or so in the field. Toby was disking, if all is well we hope to get in a good day tomorrow. Toby and Frank went over to the McPhersons tonight with a bea hive so that accounts for my writing this.

Thursday June 11th

I didn't get up till nearly five this morning and Dad. & I didn't get started in the field till nine o'clock. We worked on the corn ground all day. I disked and he harrowed with the three horses and Flemming's diamond tooth. I had to make a couple of trips to the creek in the gully to keep myself awake. I did go to sleep several times but not for very long. I would see the horses in front of me when I woke up and be frightened for fear of running into them. Huby didn't get over till after we were in the field this morning. He was up town last night and heard some rich news. Charlton has pulled out of the election campaign and Andrew Innes is going to run against Pratt. Independent. Huby spent the day doing odd jobs and filling in his ditch. I cut a little lawn and set out a little castor oil bean plant. Very hot for awhile this morning and this afternoon but about noon it was quite cool and looked very rainy

Friday June 12th

I was up at four o'clock this morning and wrote in this and hoed

in the garden till five. I then started to do chores and by leaving the stables for Huby to clean out and not cleaning any horses but Belle & Harry I managed to get into the field a very few minutes after seven. I worked steadily all day although I slept a little at the same time I got it all cross disked by after four o'clock and about half of it rolled. Dad got out about half past eight this morning and finished crossing with the diamond tooth and harrowed it all over with the drags by six to-night. It made quite a long day for his team and Ginger seems pretty tired but Osprey aparently is all right. Huby is going to try and get Bill Oakes to come over and mark it for us in the morning and we hope to get it planted. Quite chilly all morning & windy but sunny and pretty hot after dinner. Frank has gone down to the show to-night.

Saturday June 13th

Huby and Bill came over this morning at seven o'clock and Bill and I got right out and started to mark the corn ground. We took Harry & Belle and they proved to be a great improvement on Harry and Joe as a corn marking team. Bill made a beautiful job of it, with very little blasphemy. He got through a little before noon and stayed here to dinner. He said no other man but Dad would have got him to-day as he was very busy and has to be back this after noon. He shouldn't have come away this morning but George Gamble relieved him They are putting the canopy top on the new launch that he and George have just finished building for George Faulmsly. Frank scoured the country this morining in search of corn planters, we have one of our own and we wanted two more. He got one from John Wess which proved very satisfactory and one from Tupper which proved very unsatisfactory. It was an ancient and decrepit looking instrument with one handle and a spring and foot at the bottom to open it and release the corn. Huby took John Wesses and after he got his gait had no trouble at all. Dad. took our own and it was all right, but I got Tupper's and had to quit about the fourth hill, the corn came out from all over it, so I left it and went over to Alfred's to borrow his. I went through Sam's place but he didn't have one. He said he borrowed Charlie McQueens two years ago and it was a good one. Alfred gave me one he said was a dandy. I brought it home but couldn't do anything with it so traded with Dad. He worked it awhile but at last decided it was no good. By this time it was about half past four and he decided to go up and do chores so Huby and I stayed there till about eight o'clock when we

ran out of seed although Dad. had sent some more out. We only had six more rows to plant, but my back was nearly broken and I was fairly hungry. We left a sand knoll near the south west corner of the field to plant potatoes and roots on. Lila and Dorothy Anderson have been over all day nursing Tiddums, who didn't seem to mind it much. Win came over for a little while this evening and said that Uncle Ward wants to get Huby for all day Monday. She didn't know what for but we supposed it was to set out tomato plants, Dad. told Huby to tell him that he wouldn't see him stuck but if possible to get someone else. Cloudy most of the day and cool.

Sunday June 14th

I didn't get up this morning till eight o'clock. and haven't done any thing all day but loaf around and do chores. Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but there was no church. They said Mr. Johnson had gone away and a temperance man was supposed to take his place but he never showed up, so Frank came home. I was out in the shop trying to caulk up the cracks in the chicken trough so as they would hold water when we heard some crows. We took the shotgun and started out in pursuit. We saw them flying around in the vicinity of the corn field but they were not within a mile of the place when we got there. We hid in a thick bush for quite awhile but no crows showed up so we took a walk up the gully to Ivey's strawberry patch and made a careful examination of all the plants we could find, but there were very few ripe ones. We got all there were and nearly all the half ripe ones, which seemed to be much more edible than they generally are. It was about half past twelve when we got up to the house and Dad was getting ready to put the harness on Osprey. We got the cart out and it was very rickety. We oiled one wheel but couldn't get the other one off We hooked Osprey to it though and Dad. got on. Osprey didn't know just what was expected of him at first and cut up a little down at the end of the lane but once he got started he went beautifully. Dad took him down to Jonas' corner and then up the other way and down the side road to Flemming's corner and I couldn see but what he trotted pretty straight Dad said he didn't like doing it on Sunday but I think he enjoyed it when he got started. He doesn't feel very well to-day. We had dinner about three much to Enah's disgust and after dinner Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down with Quint's tent and some bedsprings. The gas drillers are going to camp down at Black Heath and they wanted this tent to cook in Charlie Martin came over for a visit a little while

before they left but didn't stay long after. Frank spent the afternoon down with the Ryersie's. We just did chores to-night and went to bed soon after tea. Nice day but cool breeze.

Monday June 15th

Craig Long came over before breakfast this morning to see Dad about Ivey's mare. She was down and in pain and he didn't know what ailed her, so Dad. went over right after breakfast to see her. She had the colic and he told them to send for Bart if she did not show any symptoms of improvement but she was better in a short time. Dad. went from there down to Martin's and I came down with Joe and the cart as soon as I had breakfast and got two bushels of potatoes for seed. They are very small so we will exchange the same ammount of them for the ones of Preston's that are left in the cellar. Frank went over to Preston's before school and found out that he could get a couple of bushels there so I went right down there and got them as soon as I got home from Martin's. I then shelled enough seed corn to finish planting and went out and finished. Dad went out and furrowed out the potato patch. After dinner we did up the chores and hooked Harry and Belle to the waggon and went down town to get some provisions and a pile of sand for Tiddums to play in. Huby has been agitating that move for quite awhile. He wants a pile on each side of the wood shed so Tiddums can always be in the shade. We took Enah and Tiddums and the baby carriage down with us and Enah walked home. Tiddums went to sleep before he got home and never woke up all evening. We saw Huby down at Uncle Wards, having a great time. He had three or four kids which he said were the best in town and they had all their tomatoes set out and waiting for more and a lot of potatoes planted. Chris said that they found Martin's dog but he was dead down at Sovereign's. Charlie Martin had told Mr. Flemming to shoot at it if it came around his place so Mr. Flemming did just to scare it. He didn't know he had killed it till they found it. He felt very badly about but Jack. felt worse. He wouldn't have taken fifty dollars for it. They say poor old Jimmy Larose has been sent down for eighteen months for forging a check, cool breezy.

Tuesday June 16th

I went over to Martin's first thing this morning and sold my eggs and got some scratch feed for the little fellows. I hadn't been home very long when Billy Louis came in with Tupper's team and fancy buggy and the news that Tupper wanted a couple of men for a couple of hours so as Dad. felt pretty miserable he said for Huby and me to go. Huby jumped at the chance of a ride in such a carriage and would have climbed over the back of the

seat he said if Billy hadn't have tipped up the front ones and let him into a sort of trap nest. When we got over there Huby didn't know how to get out. We found old Maneer was bossing the job. All they are doing is raising the peak of the roof to square pitch so we simply had to lift on the rafters with shores and when we got them up to the desired height didn't do anything but sit around and talk while some of those who appeared to enjoy it worked like niggers spiking pieces on the ends of the rafters to meet at the peak. We stayed to dinner and hung around a little while after dinner and helped raise a very little. Old Maneer was going to leave at noon to go to Vittoria as Andrew Innes is having a mass meeting there to-day but I guess Tupper induced him to stay. We came home soon after dinner. Huby said he had a lovely time socially but didn't know whether he rendered much valuable assistance. The rest of the gang certainly appeared to enjoy his company. We got home about two o'clock or after and after I did up the chores I went out and planted beans on the two outside rows on each side of the cornfield. I planted them with the planter but couldn't see the marks along the headland. Dad. has felt too rotten to do anything to-day. It has been almost cold all day although sunny but cold wind.

Wednesday June 17th

Frank's exams started to-day at noon so he didn't have to go to school this morning. Rigt after breakfast he and I went out and planted mangel and turnip seed in the rows we left for them on the knoll in the cornfield. We planted two rows of each and seemed to have about as much seed when we got through as when we started and we watched to see that it was being planted plenty thick enough. We only had the four rows so I don't know what we will do with the rest of the seed. Huby and Dad. cut potatoes while we were out there so when we got through we came and got some and got quite a few rows planted before dinner. Huby and I went out after dinner and planted all there were cut which were Preston's, we had nearly 15 rows of them. We then brought out Jack Martin's, and planted over nine rows of them which was all there was in the field. They were much smaller so we had quite a few left and we think we will planted them in the old garden Dad. harrowed them in. Huby and I went and spread the manure Dad. hauled out on it last winter. Win was over to dinner to-day her exams are over. Mrs. McBride was here all after noon and nearly all evening washing and ironing. Whit Dixon & Bob. Miller drove over after tea to look at Fred's calf. Frank went back to the gully with them. The steer with Spottys last year's calf were through

the fence into Ivey's but they got them back. Bob. told Dad. he would take him and not due him a dollar on the price which was $75.00. Mr. & Mrs. Lea Marshall were in before they left. Tom. Abbot. had told them we had a horse for sale so he came to look at it. Dad. took Osprey out and paraded him around and I think Lea might have taken him but his wife thought he wasn't big enoug to fit the price $150.00. She said he was worth about $125.00 However we are to hook him up and take him down some night so they can see him in harness. Dad. brought Ginger and Joe out and she was stuck on them especially Ginger but Dad. would not think of selling them. She thought Ginger was bigger than Osprey but Dad. told her she was mistaken. She said she wasn't as heavy but she was taller and in reality Ginger is about a head shorter but heavier than Osprey. She guessed Joe's age (thirteen) first time although Dad. told her Joe was the biggest colt in the stable. It has been pretty cool and dry all day.

Thursday June 18th

Dad. and I hooked to the waggon this morning and took the buggy down to Joe Howel's to have the tires set and brought back a load of fence posts, we unloaded them out along the top of the gully where we want to put them in. We were talking to Uncle Ward and he said they would be terribly hard digging it was so hard and he said the best way to do was to dig down about a foot and fill the hole with water and leave it for a day and then it would be just in right shape. Huby spent the morning fixing the orchard fence so we can let the calves out. This after noon He. and Dad hung the gate we brought over from his place and let the five calves in the orchard. We didn't let Horace out as Dad. has to wean him from Erie and teach him to drink first. I hoed in the garden while they were at that and Col. McDonald came over. I had never seen him before and Huby didn't recognise him at first but Dad. knew him first thing. He said he and other officers of the insurance company were up taking a motor trip through this country visiting their agents. He didn't know when he started out that Dover was on the list. Dad was very glad to see him and appreciated his visit very much. About four o'clock Dad took the team out and we went to finish planting potatoes, just plow them right under the sod, but we only got two rows planted when a big thunder shower came up and we had to seek shelter at the house. Dad. and Huby got soaked but I got there a little sooner so didn't get the worst of it. Frank was back in the gully with the shotgun so he got a pretty good soaking. We heard the gun go off he shot at a crow, both barrels went off at the same time but he missed the crow. His papers have been pretty easy so far the only one he is much afraid of is the spelling.

It didn't rain very long but freshened things up considerably. It has been very hot and sultry to-day but is cooler since the rain. Tiddums feels in a very festive humor to-night. The house is all torn up from the ravages of house cleaning and he thinks it's great.

Friday June 19th

I got up at four this morning and wrote in this till five. I then hurried through chores and cut quite a lot of grass on the front lawn. It rained a little about breakfast and looked so cloudy afterwards that Dad. didn't like to take the team out so he and I hoed in the garden and Huby worked in the shop. About ten Dad. thought it wasn't going to rain so we went out and ploughed in the rest of the potatoes in the patch we were at in the old garden. It began to rain just as Huby and I were through so we dug for the shop and got pretty wet but Dad. had to plough a little more so got properly soaked. We didn't do anything till after dinner. It stopped raining soon after dinner and when we got our chores done Dad. hooked Osprey to the cart again and took him down the road away with satisfactory results. We then hooked up the big team to the waggon and Dad & Huby and I went down town. Huby stayed down and Dad. & I went up and got our buggy from Joe Howell On our way back we got 18 more fence posts from Tommy. Frank is through his exams, he thinks he did fairly well on most of the papers. I saw Lila to-night she said both Huby's goslings were dead, died from exposure. Cold & wet.

Saturday June 20th

I worked all morning on the front lawn. I got all the long grass cut with the scythe and a good patch cut with the lawnmower, besides weeding out the flower beds. Dad. Huby and Frank went back and staked out the fence along the top of the gully and Huby. dug anchor post holes and bored ordinary post holes all day. Dad. fixed fence and plastered up some holes in our bedroom this morning and this afternoon hooked Osprey up to the cart and took him for a little jaunt and then rolled down most of the buckwheat ground and the potato patches. I went down to meet Dick to-night. He came on the Woodstock train so was home early. He had a great time in Toledo and I guess enjoyed his holidays immensly. Lila was over here all day. Harry Ansley was over this morning electioneering. He told Huby he could get him the job of deputy returning officer but Huby didn't want it. It has been sunny & fair all day but cool wind.

Sunday June 21st

Frank rode his wheel down to Sunday school this morning and I drove Enah down to church. We called around by Huby's on our way home but didn't see any sign of the Lang's. This after noon it looked rather rainy so I read and played duets with Enah. Dad. sat around and slept and did all the chores. About four o'clock he took Osprey out all the way around the block. Frank went back to the gully and brought home some lovely {furs?}. Dick went down town after dinner with the intention of going to church to-night. Elva. & Mr. Brady were over for a few minutes on the latter's motor cycle which was inclined to be balky. They had a side saddle rigged on behind for Elva. Jack Martin and Mr. {Cuper?} were over for a little while before tea looking at the horses. It has been cloudy all day and sprinkled a few times but not much

Monday June 22nd

Huby dug post holes all day and I helped him set the posts and tramp them in. We had to do a little surveying after dinner to get the two anchor posts in line which go lengthwise with the field. We got all the posts except anchor and brace posts, between the road and the jag in the fence which is just half way. I helped Dad. take the anchor posts out this morning and then he went down to the mill for some feed. This after noon he rolled down the rest of the buckwheat ground and disked the old garden where we planted the potatoes He started to harrow the corn ground, the corn is just coming up but quit at five and took Osprey around the block. They were doing road work over by McQueen's but he never paid any attention to them, He said someone shot a gun off right beside them going down Preston's hill and he never jumped. He has never seen an automobile yet. Tupper and Billy Louis came over this mornin to-night to invite Dad. to Tupper's raising tomorrow. He has the roof off the other half of the barn now and is going to put plates up to run right through. Frank finished putting in the garden to-day he planted carrots beets and beans. Cloudy but not so cool.

Tuesday June 23rd

Dad went over to Tupper's raising as soon after seven as he could this morning and was over there till after dinner. This afternoon he finished harrowing the corn ground. Huby and I worked at the fence all morning. It took us a good part of the morning to get it lined out on account of two or three little dips where we couldn't see the stakes. We dug two more anchor post holes I dug one and Huby the other. I got mine started all crooked but fixed it so as the post will sit straight. We got the posts set part way across the field. The ground is getting pretty hard. When I came in to-night, the temperature in the incubator had gone up

to 110°. I don't know whether it cooked all the chickens or not. It couldn't have been that way very long because I looked at it at noon and as they are due to hatch in a day or so I think mabee they will be strong enough to stand it. To-night Dad. and I drove Joe and Osprey down to Lea Marshall's but he had gone to lodge so we told Mrs. Marshall we would be down again in the morning. Old Tom Abbot told us he was pretty sure Lea would take him if we dropped the price a little. It has been very hot & sultry.

Wednesday June 24th

Dad. and I got started about nine o'clock for Marshall's with Joe and Osprey. He took quite awhile to decide but at last bought him. I came down to $135 and he wouldn't go higher that $130 so we split the difference. He said he would come and get him in a few days. A big thundercloud came up while we were gone and it began to rain just as we got home. Huby was back at the fence and got soaked. It didn't rain very long but came out almost unbearably hot and sultry after it although there was a strong wind but it seemed hot too. We didn't do any thing much before dinner but this after noon worked at the fence. Huby dug the last anchor post hole but the ground was so hard that I only got two holes bored and three or four started, so I got a couple of pails and filled the holes all up with water. Huby is afraid we got a little low in the line going through one of the little dips and I guess we did. He went over to Ivey's and got a hat full of strawberries to refresh us a little. Bob. Davis was in this after noon. Dad. worked around the house till he came and then struck out four or five lands in the buckwheat ground. Mrs. McBride was here to-day and they have ripped the paper all of the kitchen walls. She is coming to paper it on Saturday if all's well. Frank and I went down for a swim at Quanburys to-night and Enah and Dad went down town to get Slocomb to come over and do some plastering in the kitchen. We saw Tupper to-night and he told us that there was a car of crushed stone to haul on the Winding Hill but Dad. told him we wouldn't have time to do it. Very hot.

Thursday June 25th

Slocomb and his man came over about eight and were all morning patching the kitchen, there was a lot to do. Dad. helped them and I did chores and got some of the chicken wire stretched along the fence between the garden and orchard. Huby dug post holes all day but the ground is very hard and he had to put water in a lot of them. This afternoon Dad and I went and got a load of gravel

Enah and Tiddums went down with us and we took the baby carriage and they Enah walked home. We couldn't get any gravel on the beach but as Bob. Law was down there Dad. bought a load from him and he charged Dad. a dollar We took it right out to the field when we got home and a couple of bags of cement and left a pile at each anchor place where we are going to put an anchor post. It was time to do chores when we got through with that it was time to After tea Dad. and I went down to hear Pratt. He has got to be quite an orator, and I think turned several who were a little doubtful which to vote for. He pointed out how the Whitney administration had closed so many bars where the two Liberal governments before him although they had made great promises the same as Rowel is doing now had not done a thing. He had a wine list of the Outlaw Club which is the headquarters for the Liberal party in Town and he said it was the most compete and elaborate list of drinks he had ever seen and among the list of {illegible} he read out Mr. Lowel and several other temperance {politicians?}. It was a good speech anyway and we were glad we went. Frank rode his wheel down. Lea Marshall and Jack Richardson were in to-night and Lea wanted to take Osprey wth them but as they were going to town first and would have to stand him in Henderson's barn. The other fellow persuaded him to leave him and we told him we would take him down to-morrow night. Hot all day.

Friday June 26th

I took some eggs over to Jack Martin's this morning but he has stopped buying them. Old Ivey came over about nine o'clock and wanted Dad. to come over and roll down the field he is getting ready for tomatoes. He said the factory fellows were over this morning. The have rented it and he prepares the ground for them then they plant them and look after them altogether after that. He seemed in such a pinch and offered fifty cents an hour so Dad. sent me over. I was over there about seven hours so didn't do so badly. Huby and Dad. worked all day setting the anchor posts along the line of the new fence. Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting but it wasn't very important. Fairly hot all day.

Saturday June 27th

Dad. and I cultivated the corn and potatoes in the garden this morning and then I hoed in it all day and got over nearly all of it. Huby and Dad. finished setting their anchor posts to-day. Mrs. McBride was here all day and stayed till twelve o'clock to-night papering the kitchen. She had poor

Frank helping her and he put in an awful day of it. Dick came home to tea to-night to inform me that there was a band practice on at eight o'clock as it was then half past six and I hadn't got all the chores done or had my tea it made me bump to get down there by half past eight. They were practising for Decoration day to-morrow. I drove down and got home about ten just before a big thunder storm came up Mrs McBride papered up till twelve and then went home with the lantern and wouldn't listen to anyone going with her and it was too dark to drive. Henry Odd came over this morning and got some more seed corn they soaked the last they planted in {ginoleum?} and it never sprouted. Cloudy & threatening.

Sunday June 28th

We took the little chickens out of the incubator this morning and gave 16 to each of the four hens, there were sixty five but one was a cripple so we killed it. Dad fixed up some coops for them this morning while I cleaned my horn or tried to. It took me till dinnertime and right after I had to hike down to the bandroom. It was a dandy day for a march as it was much cooler after yesterday's rain but on account of puddles we had to go on the sidewalk. Walt. had two Simcoe fellows on the baritone and alto - and a stranger who is working here for the summer on a cornet - so we had a pretty good band. I couldn't do much as I haven't had any practice either in playing or marching but still managed to escape from making any conspicuous errors. I was down at Huby's for awhile after we got through and when I got home We put the old hens with chickens all out under coops. None were dead yet but Dad. had to change one hen as she was pecking the little fellows and had several with raw spots on their heads. Cloudy and cool all day quite cold to-night.

Monday June 29th

I ploughed all day to-day around the strike outs which Dad. made the other day. Huby didn't come over till late as he had to vote for Pratt. Walt McCall brought him and Lila over in an automobile and took Dad. out to Wiggin's to vote. They went around by Myer's and called for old Jonas and he went out and cast his ballot for Pratt.The Myer's were very much annoyed at it as Lorne had tried to induce him to go with him and vote for Andrew. The latest news we heard to-night was that Pratt was elected, Andrew got a big majority in Dover and Woodhouse but Houghton & Walsingham sent Pratt's majority way up. There was quite an interesting article in the Globe to-day about a lawsuit which has just

been opened by A.C. Pratt, Conservative candidate for South Norfolk against Fred Mossop, proprietor of the Hotel Mossop Toronto for damages in a series of poker games amounting to I think something like $3500.00. It is a sort of counter claim against a suit Mossop entered against Pratt for over $500. owing to him. This is a very nice mix-up for Mr. Pratt. anyway just before election and now people will know that he is more than a crooked skunk but a fool and a poor sport as these games have been going on for a long time and Pratt's been getting skinned right along. This after noon Huby Dad. & Frank set some of the braces and brace posts. Drizzled most of the day and has been cool.

Tuesday June 30th

When Huby came over this morning he told us that the Whitney Government was returned with an overwhelming majority and Pratt had beaten Andrew by 130 something. Old Tom was in next hurraking for Pratt and he got a little Union Jack here and tacked on the front of his rig. He said he didn't know whether he would ever get back alive sallying forth in that manner into the teeth of the Innes men down east. Huby and I spent the whole day back in the gully barricading the little poplars. Huby bored holes three feet deep with the post auger and I stuck in rails we got four done and the hole started for five. We are going to stretch wire barbed if we can get enough of it around the rails. It was a slow job as the ground was pretty hard in lots of places. Dad. did some patch plastering in the pantry this morning and plowed the rest of the day he finished the land that I was at and struck out the rest of the fields. Enah and Frank papered the pantry all but part of the border. Mr. Johnson went past this morning in his automobile with Winnie, Lila, Norah Cunningham and some other girls on a wild strawberry hunt and they came in and paid Dad. a visit on their way back. Frank has been investigating in the corn and reports a large number of wireworms in places which news causes Dad. much distress as the corn is all up so nicely. The mangels and turnips are also up but there is no sign of the potatoes yet. It has been pretty hot to-day.

Wednesday July 1st

The first thing on the programme for to-day's celebration was a little foot raise by Tiddums. He was sitting by Enah at breakfast and while she was pouring the coffee the handle came off the coffee pot and the red hot liquid spilt on Tiddum's foot. He had his stockings pinned on and by the time they were off the skin was off his foot. It gave him a horrible

{Repeat of yesterday's page}

scald but only blistered one foot. He cried himself to sleep after a while and when he woke up felt very much like himself again as long as people would leave his foot alone but there are some beautiful blisters on it. Mrs. McBride came and worked around most of the morning. Dick went down town but didn't have to work much so helped Joe on the merry-go-round. Frank spent the after noon and evening down town but came home to tea. For the first time that I can remember I spent the entire first of July at home. Huby came over and we went back to the gully to finish barricading the little trees but didn't get much done on account of the rain. Dad rolled down what he ploughed this morning and this after noon we hung around till Bob. Davis came and then Dad. undertook to ring the old sow. He fooled around trying to get a rope in her mouth and when he did and made three attemts to ring her with one ring sticking the rope slipped out of her mouth I thought it would take all the after noon unless the old sow got mad and ripped Dad's leg off so I came in the house and wrote in this pesky thing. Huby wasn't any to keen about and Dad. couldn't manage alone so they worked in the garden till five o'clock when we quit to do chores. Mr. Brady came over on his motorcycle with a bottle of mentholatum salve Elva sent over for Tiddums foot. There was an editorial in "The Globe" yesterday relating to A.C. Pratt's gambling and intimating that there were points in common between that episode and the one referred to in Bret Hartes poem entitled the "Heathen Chinese" Cloudy and cool all day and drizzly to rainy off and on all day.

Thursday July 2nd

I ploughed all day around Dad's strike outs and rolled down what I ploughed to-night. About another day will finish the ploughing but we want to start haying as soon as possible. Huby Dad. & Frank worked at the fence all morning fixing braces and putting in some extra posts. Dad. hauled the wire out and this after noon Dad. & Huby set a lot of it up along the posts as they didn't know whether Sid McBride could come or not right away and Dad is anxious to let the cows in that end of the gully but about five to-night Frank rode his wheel down to Marburg and saw Sid. McBride. He said he would be up tomorrow after noon. Dad. and Huby came up early and ground one of the mower knives so as we can get started to-morrow. Enah and Tiddums went down town this after noon. Lila was over all day. Charlie Martin came over and borrowed the disks for some thing. Mrs. Innes told Enah that Perce Brock was here yesterday and had been to a lawyer to see if he could claim his

baby who has been down at old Mrs. Well's for the last two months. The lawyer told him that if he could prove that he was more capable of caring for it that its mother that he should have it. So Perce said it was the only thing he had to live for and meant to have it as he had a good place for it in St. Thomas, it seems his wife and her mother have all gone to the dogs and the baby has been in a home. So this morning when he knew Mrs. Wells was up town he went up to the house and found Mat. Lawrie looking after the kid, so grabbed it and lit out hotfoot up St. Patrick St. and up to his mother's where his sister was waiting with a horse and rig to drive him to Simcoe where he caught the St. Thomas train. Cloudy, hot, cool wind.

Friday July 3rd

I tried to get an early start this morning but as it took a little time to get the mower into running order I didn't get out till after eight. Dad. went the first round with me and then I mowed pretty steadily all day. I started on the south east corner field and have a good chunk down but it will take a couple of hours to finish. Huby and Dad & Frank hauled out some rocks on the stone boat this morning to put in the dips along the fence to anchor it. This after noon they put wire around a couple of the trees in the gully and waited around for Sid McBride but he never showed up, so that will put us out a little as we hoped to get the fence up to-day. Mrs. Woodson and Betty were over to-night to inquire after Tiddums foot. He doesn't seem to feel it much as he tramps all around the floor in his sock feet. Old Tom Abbot told us that Osprey rolled into a wire fence in pasture last night and will have to be laid up for awhile. He was getting along fine and Marshall was very well pleased with him. Tom. said Roy Hammond was telling around that he supposed we passed off the horse that was so badly poisoned with alsike last fall. He must think Marshall is an awful fool or else doesnt know what alsike poison is like for old Dave's feet show the scars yet and probably always will. Cloudy this morning but sunny and pretty hot this after noon.

Saturday July 4th

I finished mowing about half past ten this morning and hooked right on to the rake and finished raking about five o'clock. Dad. & Frank went down in the waggon with Joe & Ginger and got a couple of bushels of buckwheat for seed and took the wool down but the mill was closed as usual on Saturday and the watchman put it in the wool house. Huby waited down for them thinking they would take the tank he got for us but it was bolted fast to the trucks and Dad.

didn't want to take time to get it loose. They got over about eleven and put up a few cocks before dinner. Sid. McBride came after dinner so Huby, Dad & Frank had to help him, they worked till after six but have the fence all stretched in fine shape but it isn't stapled yet. I just did up my chores when I got through raking. Enah went down to Maud Jamieson's sale this after noon but nearly every thing was sold when she got there. Cousin Clare was over for a little while this after noon and Lila most of the day. Sid McBride stayed to tea and it was late when we got through and Dad. had to milk afterwards but Huby, Frank and I went out and cocked up hay. It was moonlight but rather cloudy most of the time so wasn't very light We worked till after eleven and got quite a chunk done. Dad. came out and relieved Frank a little while before we quit. I drove Huby home and got back about one. Enah spent the evening painting the oilcloth in the kitchen and the floor around the edge so I had to go to bed via the window. One of the Scotch mail-men was in to see Dad. to day about his horse which he said was sore inside. J.H. Butler died this morning and Capt. Spain & Mrs. Dave Turner are very low. Fairly hot to-day.

Sunday July 5th

Enah and I managed to get to church this morning although we didn't get up till very late. Frank didn't go to Sunday school or church but went for a swim and while riding around on his wheel caught his shoe in the chain and got upset and hurt his arm. Dick spent the morning in bed and went down town after dinner. Enah had to play the organ as Topsy who has applied for the job and who has been practising came this morning without her hat and had to go back to the Methodist choir for to-day where they eliminate their roofs. This after noon the family spent in peaceful slumber or literary pursuits. I hit the hay about three and never got up till six. Then chores and a family gathering on the front step to partake of some sandwiches and cake. Old man West was over this after noon to tear off a few fairy tales and disturb all the family but me. Lovely day sunny but not scorching.

Monday July 6th

We didn't get a very early start this morning and I ploughed till noon and Huby and Dad. cocked up hay. Frank was exempt from strenuous labor owing to his injured wrist which he deems necessary to be exceptionally careful of. He took John Wess' corn planter home and went over to McPherson's to inquire after our bees. They have a skip in the hive for us and we can get them anytime. He

came home around by Tupper's and borrowed his corn cultivator as it has a special thistle cutter on it but he didn't bring it home with him. This after noon Dad. finished up what I plowed and has got a couple more loads to finish up to have the field all turned under. Huby and I continued to cock up but didn't get through. Frank spent some time picking paper off the kitchen oilcloth which is out on the lawn. Enah painted it Saturday night right here on the kitchen floor and yesterday morning it wasn't dry so she put down a lot of newspapers down but they all stuck to the paint and made an awful mess of it. Frank scraped a lot off and then went down town and got the mail. He also saw the Doctor about his wrist and he put a bandage on it and told him to keep it there for a week Frank has it in a sling and I think is highly satisfied. Lila was over most of the day. The old guinea hatched out to-day but we don't think she had an extra good hatch. It would have been very hot to-day but for a cool nice breeze.

Tuesday July 7th

This being Dad's birthday and everybody wishing him a happy one and many returns we put in about the most strenuous day this summer. Dad. decided we had better haul in the hay before any rain gets on it although we are very anxious to get the buckwheat in and the thistles are whooping it up in the cornfield. It took us a long time to get started as various preparations had to be made for the slings but we got one load in and off before dinner but not before twelve. This after noon we managed to get in three good sized ones and left the last on the barn floor. Huby helped us put on the last two but bunched up the winrows while we were unloading. This morning he had to throw a lot of old straw out of the hay in the big barn where we are putting the hay. As a little special sensation for Dad. the cows all came up early, the first time they have done it since they were out this year and as the gates were all open got into the garden before Frank noticed them and trimmed the "Country Gentleman" corn completely. We had the colts shut up in the stable and the sheep in the orchard. We had quite a time putting them in this morning as they would get nearly to the gate when one fool would run back and the rest of course all follow. They got in to the garden on {trap?} and trimmed what little they could in half a minute. Frank of course is about useless but does a little with one hand. He helped Enah paint the oilcloth this after noon which they put out between the stable and the barn he also painted his wheel. Winnie was over this

morning to dinner and Lila this after noon. It has been pretty warm to-day but a nice breeze

Wednesday July 8th

We hauled hay all day to-day and got in five loads leaving the last one on the barn floor. I went down town to-night to get my hair cut and got wet owing to the fact that I indulged in two swims. I had one on my way down below Quanbury's but it was a premeditated one, then while I was in the barber shop {Kinden?} came in to invite {Corey?} to go in and I joined them. Charlie Cooper and Booze Waddle also went we went in the pond at the danger sign and had a good one. I saw Dick with a new bank clerk. The other poor fellow is too sick to work and is going back home to-morrow. When I got home we had quite a hunt for some pills which Huby gave Dad for his birthday, and which Huby is very anxious for him to take as he thinks it will cure his arm. Hot and dry.

Thursday July 9th

Huby didn't come over till noon to-day as he had to attend to Mrs. {Folmshee's?} insurance so we didn't try to haul in any hay. Frank and I took the team and waggon and went over to Tupper's first thing and borrowed his cultivator he had to put the thistle cutter on which were the advantage it had over our own. When we got home we went down to the mill and got a couple of sacks of shorts for the pigs. Dad. had been training Jonas's mare to cultivate in the garden with our own cultivator but when we came took her out to the cornfield and worked with her till noon. She goes pretty well but gets rammy at the ends of the rows and walks fast. When we got back from the mill I hooked the team to the disks and disked on the buckwheat ground till noon. Huby came over at noon and we hauled in hay, we didn't rush at it so it was dark when we hauled the last load in but we had had our tea at six o'clock. We got in three loads and all we are going take off that field. There are a few winrows of couch grass which Tom Abbot is going to take as we don't want the seed to get in the manure. It has been very hot everything is drying up and we need a rain badly.

Friday July 10th

Huby Frank and I spent the whole day in the gully we put the wire around the four little trees which we had the stakes around. This took us a long time as we

put split rails around the stakes to brace them. Dad. & Huby did two the other day. Frank sat around with his pesky arm which everybody is getting heartily tired of. We used him principally as an object to heap abusive language on. We went all around the fence and patched it up as well as possible but it is in awful shape. We didn't do anything to the culvert hoping that the cows will be so delighted with the new pasture that they will not try to escape through the culvert till we can make a good fix of it. We let them all in to-night and the first thing they did was to tramp straight down along the creek and examine all the tree barricades. To-night Frank and I went for a swim down below Quanbury's. Frank couldn't resist the temptation in spite of his poor wrist which he has been unable to wash for a week on account of the bandage but went in and swam around so now will have no excuse for not making a little use of it. Another very hot day but nice breeze. Dad cultivated corn all day.

Saturday July 11th

Huby and Dad had a little work to attend to with the calves and pigs which took them an hour or so this morning. I took Belle out and cultivated a few rows of corn till Dad came out and relieved me. Then I went to help Huby staple on the wirefence but I didn't feel very well for awhile so didn't do anything. Snowdrop got out at the culvert and stood in the middle of the road for about half an hour so we went down just before dinner to put her in. We met an old man on the road with a good looking setter and he and Huby had quite a conversation about sport. He wouldn't tell Huby his name but said {Hec.?} Henderson would tell him. This after noon I felt better and we stapled on the wire fence and then Huby went up and got a lot of wire and we barricaded the culvert. We stretched three strands of wire from the two posts each side of it and hung rails from the center at the bottom. It took us till after six quite a bit and then we took a look at Ivey's strawberry patch but there were hardly any left. To-night about eleven o'clock Dad. went out to wash his feet and and saw a fire down town. I lit right out for town but didn't know till I got to the top of the hill that it was the brickyard. The big building and the new long shed were beyond all hope when I got that far. I went down and sat on Huby's front step for awhile. Then Frank came down on his wheel and rode over to it he said the machinery was all ruined. I came part way home with old Jonas and induced him

to go for a swim with me below Quanbury's. It was about midnight then. Frank has been driving his old mare all day. He went down town with her this morning and washed the buggy. This after noon he drove Enah and Tiddums down town. Warm but breezy all day. Dad got over the corn lengthwise going twice in a row and has started going crosswise.

Sunday July 12th

We didn't get up till very late this morning but I managed to get down to church. Frank also went down to church and Sunday School. Before we finished dinner Mr. and Mrs. Jim Waddle came over and stayed all the after noon. It was very hot this morning but began to rain the middle of the after noon and cooled things off. It didn't rain very long nor extra heavy. Tupper and a bunch of fellows drove in out of the rain and ran their buggy in the shed. Dick was in bed all morning down town this afternoon and at church to-night. Frank went down town on his wheel for a little while to look at the debris over at the brickyard. There was no insurance on the buildings, the rate being to high to carry it. They don't know at all how it started. A cow and calf got in the wheat this after noon & Frank and Bluch had quite a time with them.

Monday July 13th

Dad. & Frank went down town first thing this morning in the waggon and as it was so muddy they took Dick down with them. They got the tank at the Widespread which Huby has had ready for them for the last week or two. It is just a mate for the one we have and we are going to put it at the end of this one and connect them with a pipe at the top. Huby and Lila came back with them. I did chores and set out cabbage plants all morning. Huby helped me when he came, we got out a lot in the garden. Dad. worked on the buckwheat ground till noon. After dinner I disked the rest of the buckwheat ground and Dad. harrowed. Huby took all the rest of the cabbage plants and set them out in the cornfield where there are hills of corn missed. He didn't get them all out by to-night so I guess we will be well fixed for cabbages next winter. Frank worked all day cleaning up the woodshed and the shop. He got a ticket from the inspector to-day bearing the joyful tidings that he had failed on his examination. He failed on Spelling and Arithmetic and was way down on the total. The failure doesn't appear to sit very heavy on his mind and I don't think he will lose very many meals over it. Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting to-night. Cloudy and not hot.

Tuesday July 14th

We worked on the buckwheat ground most of the day. I disked & rolled and this after noon Dad. sowed with the broadcast seeder. I harrowed after him till he finished and then he took the harrows and finished. He got the four two bushels on the four acres but had to go over some of it twice to cover it. Enah Frank and Tiddums went down to the Sunday school picnic this afternoon. I went down after tea thinking there might be a dance but I saw Joe and he said they were going to have a little dance but some of them left and delayed it so long that {Morley?} closed up the pavillion. I fooled around with Joe, we went for a little drive but it began to rain so we went down to the moving picture show, we saw {Hube?} Long just as we came out and I didn't get home till nearly midnight. I picked Dick up at the bank he was talking to Douglas who is going to leave them soon. Huby worked in the garden all morning and picked all the cherries. Pretty cloudy all day and rain to-night.

Wednesday July 15th

We didn't get a very early start this morning but I cut hay all day and have quite a chunk of the timothy down I had to leave one corner to cut afterwards as it is bounded on two side by ditches which I couldn't go over. I quit mowing before six and raked up what I cut this morning as it was dry. There is one spot or two where the timothy is not bad but most of it is very short blue grass. Dad cultivated the corn with Joe this after noon. He didn't do too badly. Huby and Frank worked in the garden. Huby got a lot of red cabbages from {Stan?} and set them out. Mrs. McBride was here all day washing and stoning the cherries which Huby picked yesterday. Jonas presented us with a lot of vegetables to-night. Old Maneer was through here on his way to Tupper's to look at the shed. Pretty hot. Lila was over all day. The sheep all got out of the orchard to-day and got in the wheat.

Thursday July 16th

I finished cutting the hay this morning and raked it up after dinner. Then I helped Huby and Frank cock up we got quite a bit of it up, it will be a light crop. Dad. cultivated corn all morning with Joe but she didn't behave very well so he took Belle as soon as I got through raking. The Simcoe band came down to-night and we all went down to hear them Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down and didn't stay very long but Frank and I walked and

went in for a swim at Quanbury's on our way down. We went down to Huby's for a minute or so and he was the only one home. After the band quit we went over and watched the dance for awhile getting home about midnight. Hot with nice breeze.

Friday Saturday July 17th

Dad. cultivated corn all morning with Belle and Huby Frank and I cocked up hay. We got it all up but a few windrows. A big thunderstorm rolled in at noon but although there were some very close flashes of lightning and some beautiful cracks of thunder it didn't last long. It rained very hard for a few minutes but soon dried off. It was too wet to cock hay this after noon so Huby and Frank went back and fixed the fence where the cattle got into Ivey's last night. Dad. took Harry and I took Belle and we cultivated all the after noon. We didn't get a very early start or we would have finished. It has been cooler and breezy this afternoon.

Saturday July 18th

Dad. finished cultivating the corn this morning and went through the potatoes again. He also went through the potatoes in the old garden which are up enough to see. Huby and I thinned the turnips and Huby thinned the mangels and hoed some of the potatoes. This after noon we got the binder out and cut the wheat east of the orchard. It took quite awhile to get started but Dad. cut it by soon after six but it took the three of us Huby, Dad. & me till dark to shock it all up. It is a good crop with hardly a thistle in it. Frank cleaned the binder up this morning and has been hobnobbing around with old Jonas all the rest of the day. They went to Simcoe this after noon with Nellie & Jonas' old rattletrap of a democrat, and Frank got a hive and various apiary supplies. Lila was over all the after noon and Win most of the morning. It has been a nice day a little cloudy.

Sunday July 19th

Enah and I went to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school and church. Dick didn't get up till noon and then drove down town with me I went around and got Marj. Clarke and we had a very enjoyable drive When I got home Ed. was here and had been here all the after noon. Lovely day with nice breeze.

Monday July 20th

We put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and then had to change the car over to the horse stable as that is

where we want to put the timothy. It took us quite awhile to get ready so we only got in one load before dinner and didn't get it unloaded. We unloaded it after dinner but as we have to use the fork in the horse stable it took quite awhile. We got one more in and unloaded and then about four o'clock I drove Enah down. We went around to Miss Battersby and got a hanging lamp which Miss Battersby gave us. I went down to the station as Marj. told me she was going to-night but I found she had changed her mind. Dad. cut alsike from about six till I had my tea and then I cut till dark while Dad. did chores. Nice day pretty hot.

Tuesday July 21st

I set the alarm for half past three this morning and although I heard it go off was too sleepy to get up and stayed in bed till Dad. called me about five and got out to the alsike field as soon as possible and cut till after seven, but there is still quite a bit to cut yet. We got started hauling hay as soon as we could after breakfast and got two in before dinner. It took a long time to put on a load as the cocks are so far apart we have to chase all over the field to get enough to make a load. After dinner we got all the hay there was left which wasn't quite a load and got it unloaded by a little before four. Dad. then went out and started to cut the wheat north of the orchard. Huby and Frank helped him shock up and as there wasn't anything very pressing for me to do Enah Tiddums and I drove down town. They went to see Elva and she went down and got some ice cream with them and I went down to the station to say goodbye to Marj. She & Bessy Perry went to-night. Quite a strong breeze to-day but hot.

Wednesday July 22nd

Dad. took the alarm clock last night and got me up soon after half past four and I went out and finished the alsike soon after eight. Dad. took Nellie Green & Joe and raked up what was cut yesterday. We didn't have breakfast till after nine so Dad didn't get much of the wheat cut before noon. We noticed this morning that for some reason the windmill although revolving was not pumping. We surmised that some of the rods were uncoupled so Frank took Nellie & the democrat and went down and got old Felix. He was here all the after noon and found the valve in the cylinder had gone out order but he put in a new one

Dad. finished cutting the wheat this after noon and we put the binder back in the woodshed. Huby and I shocked up for a little while before dinner but helped old Felix all the after noon so most of the wheat has to be shocked up any way. Frank went over to John Wess to-night to see if he would like a little help to-morrow as from here it looks as if he had a lot of hay out and we knew he had no man. He was cutting wheat and expected to be at it to-morrow but said a man would come in hadny the next day, so I guess I will go over. Frank has put in most of the day running errands. He drove Felix home to-night and Huby went down with them. Felix told us that Jack McCarty cut his throat this morning. He has been sick for quite awhile and I suppose it has left him in bad shape. The papers are giving very apalling accounts of the terrible damage being done by the army worms in the counties directly north of us. They say they have struck the O.A.C. at Guelph. Pretty hot to-day.

Thursday July 23rd

Dad. routed me out again this morning before five and I went out and raked up the alsike finishing about seven. Huby got over early and went right out to shock up wheat. Frank went out soon after to help him and Dad. to help them as soon as he could and I to help them as soon as I got through with my chores. It didn't take long to finish it up but we were hindered a little by the horses all getting out on the road, they ran up the lane and as both the stable doors had been left open ran right through on to the road. Luckily they didn't go far either way and we managed to head them off without a great deal of difficulty. Enah ran out to help us and left Tiddums in his bath. When Dad. came in afterwards he found him standing up in the tub filling one of his (Dad's) slippers with water. and pouring it all over himself. When we got the wheat shocked up we hooked up to go after a load off the other piece. Huby & Frank cleaned up the barn floor while Dad. and I were after a load. By the time we got the first load off the waggon it was raining quite a shower so we couldn't haul any more. I hooked Joe up to the buggy and Huby and I drove down to see old Felix as the windmill was working again this morning without pumping and we thought the sucker must be again out of order. Felix said it would kill him to go out in the rain but that we could fix it anyway. He said some of the scales off the inside of the pipe had jerked down and got underneath the valve and all it needed was a pail of water poured down the pipe. We tried it and

sure enough the old coon was right. Huby had some insurance to do so didn't come back with me. This after noon Dad. took Belle and cultivated the potatoes in the field and garden. I cut the weeds around the wheat field we last cut. About four o'clock Dad. thought it was dry enough to haul wheat so we got started in about an hour after a load. We just got it unloaded by six but went out and got another and left it on the barn floor. Harry Harding was over for awhile to see Dad. but he couldn't stay long as his mother is in very bad shape and he didn't like to be away from her for very long at a time. Allan Law came in for a little while to see if he could borrow the manure spreader to-morrow. Frank rode down town to-night to get the mail and Huby told him that he didn't finish his insurance so wouldn't be able to be over to-morrow morning so I won't be able to go over and help John Wess as we have to get our own wheat in first of all. Cloudy but hot after the rain.

Friday July 24th

Frank rode over first thing to tell John Wess that I wouldn't be able to be over. He said that Crysler's man helped him yesterday and was going to again to-day, and if he wanted me to-morrow he would come over, but Allan Law was in this morning to get the spreader and he said he was going to take John Wess a man to-night. We unloaded the load on the waggon as soon as we could get started after breakfast but only got in two before dinner. However we cleaned the one field. Tupper came in for awhile to ask us to bring back his cultivator and just as he was leaving he broke the cross bar on his buggy and had to borrow our shafts. Zeitha Barwell came over for a little while to see if she and Mr. Crooker could come over this evening and practice some songs for the concert as they want Enah to play for them. We got in two loads off the other field this after noon. We got a late start and quit at five to have tea but unloaded a load after tea. Frank and I went down to Quanbury's for a swim and Frank went on down and got the mail. When I got home Zeith, Miss Wimmer and Mr. Crooker were here Zeitha and Mr. Crooker were practicing with Enah while Werdi. was looking after Tiddums. He took her all over the place and enjoyed himself immensely. Old Jonas had Nellie to-day and sent her home with young Mertland one of his boarders kids who isn't bigger than a skinned minute and he let her come in the lane on the run and ran smash into the cutter in the drive house. I don't think he broke anything

Sunday July 26th

I didn't get up till very late this morning and haven't been off the place all day. I just chored around slept & read and to-night wrote a letter to Aunty & Aunty Alice and another to Roy. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and has been riding around on his wheel the rest of the day. He went to the stump for a swim to-night. Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove over to John Wess McBride's this morning before Tid. has his morning sleep and he hasn't slept a wink all day. Dad. tried to have a sleep this after noon but Tiddums wouldn't allow it. Dad. and Enah wanted to go down to the Methodist Church to hear Mr. Crooker sing but Tiddums wouldn't go to sleep and was inclined to be cranky so they didn't go. Dick got home late to-night burned to a crisp. I guess he didn't enjoy his sail as much as he expected. He and Hazen didnt get out of the boat till Sunday Morning and they left here at six o'clock Saturday night but there was no wind. They went over to Ryerson's Island where Joe & Hub. Long joined them and they went in for a swim. They saw Quint & George Hamaker over there. They had a good sail home they left at twelve and got here about two o'clock. Poor old A.M. Todd formerly of the "Maple Leaf" died to-day of heart failure while in bathing in the lake. They didn't find his body till about three hours afterwards when some people happened to run into it. Nobody missed him. Fair day.

Monday July 27th

We unloade the load of alsike we had on and got in one more and unloaded it before dinner. We got out right after dinner and managed to get in three by half past six. It is very slow stuff to handle it is so heavy & short and loose. Huby and Frank bunched up the first load and then Frank bunched all the rest up this after noon. Frank Odd. came for Dad. while we were at dinner to go and see one of Flemming's horses so Huby and Frank pitched on after dinner till Dad. got back. Enah went down town this after noon to practice in the hall with some of the ones at the concert. Mr. Johnson brought Lila. Tiddums & her home at six. Lila and Tiddums stayed but Enah went back. Huby went down with them. She left word that Mr. Crooker never showed up and that Murray was coming up on the evening train and she wanted to practice with each of them. She got home about eleven and said that Murray didn't come and Mr. Crooker couldn't be found anywhere. She forgot and left today's paper down town but Lila says it reported bloodshed in Ireland. Cool and pretty breezy all day. We thought at noon we would get a rain but it seems to have passed over.

Tuesday July 28th

Huby didn't get over this morning as he had some insurance to look after but Dad. & I got in what was left of the alsike alone and Frank helped mowed it away. There was just one full load and a half of one. We left it on the waggon as it was half past twelve when we got in with it. This after noon we ground a mower knife and I got a few rounds cut in the blue grass and weeds this side of the gully while Dad. and Frank hoed some of the potatoes in the old garden. Dad. quit at five and I quit soon after so that he could get ready in plenty of time for the concert. Billy Barwell came over at noon with some music for Enah to practice for the concert and he played around with Frank for quite awhile. Later Tuppy Fick brought Huby, Lila and Aunty Maude over in his car. Huby & Lila stayed and Aunty Maude took the musick back for Murray to practice. Huby went out and piled up the marsh grass we left out in the timothy sod to make duck hides. He thinks there will be lots of ducks next fall with the corn and buckwheat so near. When he got through Tuppy came back and got him. To-night Dad. & Enah went to the church concert and Frank Lila & I stayed home with Tiddums. He went to sleep before they left and didn't wake up at all while they were gone. Dad. said he enjoyed the singing and playing of Zeitha, Miss Prest & Mr. Crooker very much and Pursell for his class, but the rest he didn't care for at all. Cloudy and cool all day and quite cold to-night. Nor'east wind.

Wednesday July 29th

Dad. & I hooked up Belle this morning and drove up to Bickler's. Dad. was never in there before but we found it to be a beautiful farm of 800 acres with the buildings set in a grove of natural timber a half a mile in from the road. It was getting on to noon when we left there but we drove over to Dunkin's. He was down at a picnic at Port Ryersie so the young fellow told us so we went down there and saw him. He has had pretty rough luck again this year. He was sick all spring and nearly died and the young fellow had so much to look after that he lost five of his crop of eight lambs and the ones he has left don't look anything extra. He hasn't ours registered yet but is going to see about it as soon as he can. We heard several reports of the army worms on the radical road but didn't see any. Fred. Warren told us they were thick in all the pea fields but didn't seem to be doing any damage so we came to the conclusion they weren't the genuine army worm as they didn't seem to be anywhere but in the peas.

Innes said they were the real thing and wouldn't take the peas green but will buy them thrashed. We got home about two o'clock. After we had our dinner I went out and cut a little more hay with Joe & Harry and Dad. cultivated corn & potatoes with Belle. Frank picked raspberries for Ivey this morning and helped Huby hoe potatoes this after noon. Mrs. McBride was here all day and looked after Tiddums this after noon while Enah took old Nellie and went to the Methodist Bazaar. Jonas sent a couple of kids after Nellie. He never said anything about wanting her to-day so he had to wait till Enah got back. Cool & windy no sign of rain.

Thursday July 30th

I cut hay all morning and nearly finished the piece I went out after dinner and only got a few rounds cut when the rivets came out of the pitman rod and it came loose so I had to quit mowing. I hooked on to the rake and raked for the remainder of the after noon but didn't get over it all. Dad cultivated corn all day. Huby didn't get over till noon and he burn a lot of worms nests in the trees. Frank and he hoed some thistles in the corn and potatoes and started to cock up hay but Enah called to them that the old sow was out and she got way down the road with all the little ones and it took them a long time to round her up, so they didn't get much hay cocked. They saw some fellows on the road who told them that the army worms were on Charlie Dixon's & Charlie Clalland's places and were skinning the oats, that is a Charlie Dixon who lives way out Black Creek on the fourth concession. John Wess came over this forenoon to see if he could rent the manure spreader but Dad told him he would lend it to him, so he came over after dinner and got it. Tonight Frank went down to the moving picture show with Roy Bannister. An automobile came in after dark to-night and I think Dad. is holding a post mortem on a dog or something I don't know who the people are except their names are Simpson from Toronto. According to to-days reports nothing short of a miracle can prevent a general war in Europe. Austria has all ready declared war with Servia and Belgrade is taken. Russia is mobilizing an inormous army to support Servia and Germany. Britain and France are all beginning to squirm. Cool, cloudy day.

Friday July 31st

We spent quite awhile this morning watching Dad. operate on the dead dog. In daylight he found the left side of it full of shot and dug eleven no. 5 shot out of its hind leg. They had gone right through the flesh but didn't come

through the skin. He then opened it and found a shot in its lungs and all through it so came to the conclusion that whoever shot it carried it to the lake and threw it in as that is where it was found dead. He thought it must have been fired at from close range but when Huby came he said a full choke gun would make the same pattern at forty yards. Huby didn't get over till quite late this morning as he didn't wake up and we didn't get out in the field till nearly ten o'clock. Frank took the pitman rod down and got Joe Howell to rivet it. The rest of us cocked up till he got back. Then I finished mowing before dinner. This after noon I finished raking about three o'clock and then went out and cocked up with the rest of them. We didn't quite finish. Frank went over to John Wess's after dinner and brought Bluch home. He followed John Wess home with the spreader yesterday and stayed all night. Jonas sent another hoach of kids after his mare again today and they chased her all over the field and then had to get Frank to help them so Dad. gave Jonas beans when he brought her home to-night. John Watts was in for a few minutes to-night to ask Dad. about a cow or something. Cool & breezy with a few clouds Frank went down after the paper to-night and went to tell Mr. Simpson about his dog. He has Aikens on the trail.

Saturday August 1st

Dad. and I put off the half load of alsike which was on the waggon and changed the car and pulleys from the barn to the horse stable it didn't take us very long as we didnt take any of the pulleys off the ropes Frank and Huby cocked up till we got out in the field and then Huby helped Dad. pitch on a load and Frank finished cocking up this afternoon we got one load in before dinner and three in this after noon but hauled the last one in on the barn floor and left it. We couldn't haul full loads as we had to use the slings and too big a lift wouldn't go in the doors but we got in some pretty good sized ones. I drove down town to-night with Huby to get provisions and the town was so full and the stores so crowded that I didn't get home till late. Frank went down on his wheel to see Professor Atkinson do some stunts in the town hall but I guess the show didnt ammount to much. Huby and I are planning a trip to-morrow to go and see Dr. McInnes about growing ginseng and come home by way of Billington's. It has been breezy and not hot all day. We need a rain very much everything is drying up and if it doesn't come soon it will be too late when it does come.

Sunday August 2nd

I got down to Huby's about nine o'clock and he was already to start but it took us quite awhile to get what we wanted to take loaded in the buggy. We had to take our lunch and several other things. Quint came home last night and he said he would like to accompany us so Huby fixed a seat in front of the dashboard for him so we didn't have to hold him on our knees. We let Joe take it easy as the sun was hot and the flys were bad and we made quite a load. Huby found Dr. Macinnes in his office in Vittoria and he told him quite a lot about Ginseng. He said that there never was a better market price for the roots as there is now and he thought that anybody starting in now would be independent in ten years. He had none of it there to show us as he grows it all on his farm four miles west of Vittoria, but he invited us to go up there - and wrote to his man introducing us. He told us where to find it if the man was not at home and said to put the horse in and feed her. We went up, it seemed like a long drive through about the most barrenest looking country I ever saw although Huby said there was worse in other spots. When we got there we found the man was not at home so did as the doctor told us and put Joe in. The Ginseng gardens were in plain sight and all in lattice work houses or sheds they have to be grown in the shade so he has these sheds built of pickets and clothes which lets in all the air but which keeps out most of the sunlight. It is as near like a forest as could be built. He must have had nearly an acre under cover like this and all the beds were full but the plants were not all the same age some just seedlings and others eighteen inches high. We took a good look around and then went over to the well to eat our lunch. There were fully a million half starved and half grown chickens beseiging us the whole time and we couldnt lay a piece of bread down for a minute but they would seize it and run off with it. It was very annoying and Huby felt very much like catching a couple biting their necks and broiling them. We left right after we had our lunch for Billington's but it was about two o'clock then. We got a little mixed up with the roads and went quite a bit out of our way, but got to Billington's about four or soon after. They were very glad to see Huby. We stayed there to tea and till after nine visiting. Before it got dark I took some pictures of the {illegible} and fooled around the creek. Huby and Quint spent most of the time in its vicinity but didn't have

extra good luck. We got home about midnight it was moonlight but very chilly. It hasn't been at all hot all day and this after noon it rained a shower but there wasn't enough to do any harm or good.

Monday August 3rd

We hauled in all the rest of the hay off that field to-day. It took us all day and there were just five loads. We put four of them in the horse stable loft and left one on the old barn floor for the bull. Huby and Dad pitched one, I loaded and Huby and Frank mowed away. Frank spent most of the time between loads fixing the boiler pipe which Rus Lampkins brought down for the sink from the pump to the orchard fence to carry water to the calves and sheep in the orchard. Dad is not at all in favor of the scheme as he says Frank can't make it work and it blocks his path to the pig pen, but Frank is undaunted and has it nearly carrying water. Pretty hot to-day.

Tuesday August 4th

Huby didn't come over at all to-day, he had some insurance to look after and spent the rest of the day working around his own garden. Dad. and Frank went back this morning to fix the line fence between John Wes. and us as the cows got it last night and broke it down and tramped through his oats & buckwheat and ate up his beans. John Wes. came back with the spreader while they were gone and when I told him he just laughed and said such things would happen. They didn't get back till noon. I cut weeds while they were gone. This after noon Dad cultivated corn and Frank and I started to hoe the potatoes. Harry Harding came over and I went back to the gully with him to look at the horses and cattle. It was getting on to five when we got back and then I drove him down town and got some provisions. Dad. quit early. He and Enah went out to the Shand's last night and invited them all over here to-night for some music. Mr. Crooker, Zeitha, Verdi, Wimmer all came over and Mr. Johnson brought Aunty Maude. Win & Lila and Nora Cunningham over in his car. Dick also managed to get home, and all the Shands came so we had a very pleasant evening. Not hot to-day. Quite cold to-night.

Wednesday August 5th We were up about the usual time after our night of song. I cultivated corn all day and the boys hoed all the weeds and thistles out that the cultivator missed

Wednesday August 12th

For a whole week this interesting and valuable record has been missed owing to an accumulation of circumstances, the terrible war being the chief upsetting cause for after reading the paper Toby had no time to make entries in this, he wanted to go down to get his hair cut tonight to I said I would do my best to write the doings of the past week. I think we began hauling out manure on the 4 acres we had sowed with Buckwheat on Thursday 6th and we hauled until Saturday noon. We then got the binder out and cut the oats in the old well field, it was a nice crop but the weather is and has been so dry that the grain was very light. Hubert and Frank cobbled up the fence around the hog yard on Friday and Saturday forenoon, Saturday afternoon they all shocked up oats. Sunday Morning Toby drove down to church, had dinner at Huberts and he and Hubert went up to {illegible} Hooleys in the after noon, Frank was at S.S. and church. Dick did not get up until noon. Hattie intended going to church but did not feel very well in the morning so did not go as she had to go down in the evining to play for Mr Crooker who sang a solo. I went down also in the evening there were very few in church a young student tried to preach. It was a very hot day and looked a little like a thunder storm. On Monday I had to go and load the binder on the truck the first thing Frank went with me, after bringing it in I went and got the roller and put it in, Hubert worked at the Hog fence, and Toby at the fence around the orchard to keep his chickens in. I brought up the old hay {illegible} valves and Frank has been taking it to pieces. Monday afternoon we all worked at the sheep for some time separating them so as to try and mark them for {resist....?} it actually rained quite a shower Monday evening and laid the dust.

On Tuesday morning we marked the lambs, Hubert worked at his fence. In the afternoon Toby and I hauled out manure. It was quite cool at night. This morning, Wednesday we took the binder back over the gully to cut the oats. We didn't get started very early either in the morning or after dinner so didn't finish to-night. Frank and I shocked up but we didn't get it all up either as we didn't work very hard. The oats are so rusted that they are all bent flat and there is nothing whatever in them. To-night Frank and I drove down town I got my hair cut and Frank got a pair of boots. On our way down we got started on the approach to the bridge before we saw a team on the bridge and we had to back up. Joe got a little impatient and hacked accross the road and got her hind legs down a nasty hole between the bank and the sidewalk but didn't hurt herself. We saw Huby down town and he told us he had more insurance to look after tomorrow so couldn't come over again. He says his leg is bad again even worse as it hurts him now. Chris Quanbury asked us if two of us could come over to Martin's and help them thrash. It looked a little like rain to-day but didn't.

Thursday August 13th

We went back this morning and finished cutting and shocking up the oats just at noon but by the time we got up to the house and had dinner and put the binder in winter quarters it was pretty late and soon after dinner we saw the thrashing outfit coming around the hill so Dad. and I went over to Martins. They didn't get started thrashing till after four but we finished up about six. Their wheat only turned out about 20 bushels to the acre both Charlie's and Jack's. Neither one of them was there. Chris. was running things. The machine was outside and they put the straw in the barn. Dad. and I carried away. Cousin Clare was here all the after noon and stayed all night. One of us will have to go and help Flemming thrash to-morrow. It has been rather cloudy and threatening all day and to-night it did rain quite a shower and thundered quite a lot. It still looks very black.

Friday August 14th

There was a very hard thunder shower after we went to bed last night and every thing was pretty wet this morning but it has been windy and sunny all day so the mud is about dried up. We needed the rain very badly and it will likely do a lot of good to the corn roots

and late sowed potatoes, but we could stand a lot more of it. Dad. had an early breakfast and got down to Flemming's about seven. He only thrashed his wheat and a load of oats so they finished at noon. Dad. said the wheat didn't turn out very well but the oats weren't so bad. I just did chores this morning and wrote in this and made a new milk record card and tacked it up in the cow stable. Frank and I looked at the bees and put in three frames which had full sheets of foundation in, in place of three which they hadn't worked on at all. We just took them from the super and put them in the lower hive. I got stung for the first time. We didn't do anything much right after dinner. Frank went down and got the paper but there wasn't anything startling in it. They don't know where the British Army is at all Kitchener is keeping its whereabouts strictly secret. The first decoration for gallantry was awarded to a French lieutenant of dragoons who had the Cross of the Legion of Honor confered upon him for doing what he would have been guillotined for a month ago. Such incidents do make war look horribly foolish. Dad. and I went out to look at the potatoes in the field to see if the wire worms were in them at all but we couldn't find any. They promise to be a fair crop for this year. When we came in we took the team and went down to Uncle Ward's and got a load of shingles. It was six o'clock when we got home. To-night Cousin Clare and Enah have gone over to see Mrs. Battersby and Frank has gone down town with Roy Bannister Lila is over here for all night. Frank went over to see Mrs. McPherson and her bees this after noon and got stung too. Like every one else's hers have made very little honney this year.

Saturday August 15th

We chored around about half the morning and then went out and straightened the oat shocks up a little, some of them were pretty wet and one or two heads had sprouted. We then came in and put the load of hay off that was on the rack before dinner Frank mowed it nearly all away in by Dreadnought's stall. He also unloaded our load of shingles while Dad. was examining the refrigerator, it was leaking and we didn't know what caused it but Dad. found the overflow pipe was blocked up. Frank went down and got the paper right after dinner and Dad. went to sleep. He has been saying so long how much he would like to take a sleep so we let him go till Tiddums came in about half past three and woke him up. We then went out and hauled out five loads of manure before tea. Frank hoed the potatoes in the old garden, and I helped him between loads.

We got the buckwheat ground all covered. Bob. Davis & Jonas came in to-night while we were at tea with "Golden Crown". Enah drove Cousin Clare and Lila home after tea. Very windy.

Sunday August 16th

We didn't get up till late this morning, but Enah and I went to church. Frank went to church and Sunday school. Mr. Leigh preached he is from Courtright and Enah knew him when she was there. This after noon I read "The Lady of the Lake." Dad. Tiddums & Enah slept. Dick went down town and Frank rode out to Teeple's woods to see a lot of bees that some fellow from Simcoe has there. He didn't see the owner and Teeple's told him he had taken a lot away. Sam Law came in this morning to say he was going to thrash his oats out of the field to-morrow if it didn't rain and wanted us and our team and waggon, so I guess we will take a load of our oats over and thrash them. It rained a little this after noon and has been cool & cloudy.

Monday August 17th

It was raining when I got up this morning but didn't last long but it was too wet to thrash oats out of the field so after breakfast I went out and disked up most of the buckwheat ground. I got over the part where the buckwheat is the thickest. The buckwheat won't ammount to anything now as only a little of it came up on the knolls and we are going to work it in and put wheat on it. Dad. spent the forenoon I think writing to Aunty. Tupper was in to see if we wanted to haul stone for road work but I guess Dad will pay it. I went over to Sam's at one o'clock and helped them thrash their wheat out, and Frank and Dad. came over with the team and rack to haul oats. They had three teams, ours and two of their own and three waggons, ours, Art Ryersies and theirs. Dad. and I each hauled in and Art. pitched on to us. Frank helped a little, while Bert Munro & Al. Martin pitched off the load standing. They had poor Skinner Manning and Douglas the Scotchman on the stack. Skinner says it is the last stack he is going to work on. The oats were very light. There were 830 bushels of oats and 66 of wheat. We all three stayed over there to tea. Huby came up creek in the boat and walked up here but Enah said he didn't feel very well he rode back as far as Sam's with Ham Thompson who was coming down to see Dad. His old mare was kicked by Frank Mar's horse and had her leg broken. Dad. told him to shoot her. The Japs have sent an ultimatum to Germany now giving them orders to get their cruisers out of the Far East. Pretty hot to-day and lightening a lot to-night.

Tuesday August 18th

Just as we got ready for bed to-night a terrific thunder storm broke on us. Dick just got home in time. There was an almost steady flicker of vivid lightening although there were no ear breaking thunder claps, but the rain came down by the barrell. The wind was so strong that it sounded like hail battering at the west side of the house. It was still raining when I got up this morning but was not so boisterous about it. It rained off and on all morning and has been very hot and sultry all day. It is thundering again to-night and seems to be shaping for another round. I drove Dad. down right after breakfast and got some groceries. I went down to Joe Howell's to have Joe shod, but he had a team to shoe all around so I didn't wait. When I got home Dad. drove down to the mill and got a bag of flour. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's with his two roosters which I have had over here since last spring. I spent the rest of the day building a trap nest according to instructions I read. Dad. put the cloak shelf up in the kitchen and Frank has been prowling around with his bee book looking for enlightenment on several subjects pertaining to bees. To-night I drove Dad. down to a school board meeting and got the mail. Mr. Flemming was in this after noon to have Dad. look at his horses mouth as she didn't eat right. Dad. found a great big piece of wood wedged in some way.

Wednesday August 19th

Last night we had a repetition of night before last's storm with more and heavier thunder. Dad. came home in it and got soaked. The school board are in trouble again. The debentures haven't been sold yet and they are afraid there will be difficulty in disposing of them now on account of the war. Secord is going to quit work on the school if they don't pay him. It rained a little more this morning but has been sunny with a fresh breeze all the after noon but very sultry and muggy before noon. This morning Dad. drove over after Mrs. McBride who has been here washing and ironing all day while I cut wood and then we both drove down town. Dad went and saw Mr. Smith to consult with him on the advisability of keeping Frank out of school till the hot weather is over as Aunty suggested. Mr. Smith thought it would be a good idea, so I guess Dad. will let him if he doesn't object. This after noon Enah took

Nellie and drove down town to visit Cousin Clare and others and Mrs. McBride minded Tiddums. Dad. & I took the plow back to the alsike stubble and plowed all the after noon. I made a couple of strike outs my first ones and they certainly looked like it. Frank came back and joined us after a while Dad. went up about half past five to milk and I plowed till after six.

Thursday August 20th

It began to rain soon after breakfast this morning and rained steadily and quite heavily till after dinner it then cleared up for the rest of the day but it doesn't act as if it was through with us yet. I read all morning, the last bulletin from the Department of Agriculture on Tightening Rods. Frank studied his bee book and Dad minded Tiddums and slept. A fellow drove in to see if he could sell us oil wholesale but he couldn't so didn't stay long. This after noon Frank and I took Joe down to Joe Howell's and had her shod. Frank stopped in at Uncle Ward's on his way home to see how his vice was attached to his bench and was in there about half an hour. We got home a little before five. I looked over the paper and then carried Tiddums back to where Dad. was plowing and from there to the gully. We got back about six. Dad. plowed all the afternoon.

Friday August 21st

It rained hard again during the night but has been sunny and windy all day and to-night the sky looks clear and it is cooler. Dad. plowed all morning and Frank and I tidied up a little around the yard in the vicinity of the woodshed and shop. This after noon Frank drove Enah and Tiddums down town to go visiting and brought Uncle Ward. back with him as he had some tools he wanted to sharpen on our grindstone and Frank turned it for him. As Jonas wanted Nellie at three o'clock I had to drive down before tea and get Enah and Tiddums who was getting homesick. Uncle Ward. wouldn't stay to tea so I took him home. Dad. and I spen the after noon turning the oats We turned every shock as far as we went but didn't finish. The ones that stood up weren't very wet but there weren't many that were left standing and the down ones were very wet and some of them sprouted. I had to help Dad. milk to-night and it was very late when we got through. We tried to get John into the stancions and nearly had her in when Tige commenced to bark at the Shand boys coming in and frightened her out. Whit Dixon came over this morning and Dad. let him have

her calf and she has been bawling for it all the after noon. Dad. says he feels like a traitor as John. went back this morning without her calf thinking it was safe up here and when he, Frank and Whit surrounded it, it was all alone. It was watching Whit thinking (so Dad says) that he (Dad) would protect it when he came up from behind & grabbed it. To-day's paper says that the war is commencing now in earnest and the Germans now occupy Brussels. They, the Canadian Government, have put a war tax on Sugar Coffee Tobacco & liquors. so Dad thinks he will have to quit smoking. Huby left to-night for Toronto.

Saturday August 22nd

Dad. plowed all day and got in a good day Frank and I took a look at the bees first thing and then I went out and finished turning the oats which took me till noon. This after noon I put in cutting weeds along the fence bottoms & in the old garden, and to-night feel a great admiration for the pioneers who would swing a scythe all day and carouse all night. I don't wonder a lot of whisky was consumed in those days although I got along without even any water. Frank worked around up at the house all day. Winnie, Lila and Miss Leigh where here to dinner. This was the day of the Great Boughner Picnic which this year assembled in Simcoe, it is the first time they went out of Dover this wouldn't {happen} now only they got every inducement from the Simcoe people to come there while other years Dover has soaked them for all they could get out of them. A lot of cheap sports down town here got up another picnic to-day in opposition and made arrangements with Buck to get the Park free. They got out bills and put them all over the country they say advertising it as being formerly the Boughner Picnic but the Boughners threatened to take action against them and they had to around and collect all their posters. I guess they didn't get much of a crowd. The Toronto regiments got a sudden order to go from Long Branch to Valcartier and they all left to-day. Aunty told us in her letter that Fred. McDonald is with the 48th Highlanders and Elva told Enah that Byron Johnson belongs to the signal corps of the Chatam regiment. Dick is wishing he was old enough to enlist. I don't know but that I would if I were in his place but I think until conditions develop more and the odds are against Britain, the Canadian farmer is of as much importance as the soldier, as they cant fight on empty stomachs, and Canada is where they are looking for their bread & butter, but I'm good & ready to scrap when they do need me. It has been pretty hot to-day, but looks fair.

Sunday August 23rd

Enah & Dad. went to church this morning and Frank went to Sunday school & church. I stayed home to watch Tiddums. He woke up before they got home and I took him back to the gully and woods where appeared to enjoy himself. Dick stayed in bed till noon and went down town after dinner. This afternoon Dad. Enah & Tiddums drove out to the Shand's and got back just before it began to rain. I got two or three mushrooms back in the gully this morning so Frank went back this after noon to see if he could find any. He came back with about a peck of them. I read, slept and cursed flies all the after noon till Frank came home and fixed a fly net over me which was a great protection. Huby got home last night and I guess had a good time and saw everybody he knew either by lucky chance or by a premeditated call. He said Rus. Skey took him into the private office and talked for an hour. He is crazy to go to the war as an assistant army surgeon but they won't take him. Huby told Dad. & Enah that Vernon said we could all go down there anytime and stay as long as we liked and that we could go in a body or by installments and that if Quint was home for him to go too. It has been very hot and a big thunderstorm came up this after noon. It poured rain for a few minutes and hasn't cleared off yet.

Monday August 24th

It rained hard again during the night but has been cool and windy all day and feels as if it had cleared up. We all got up pretty early and Dad. got a good forenoon's plowing done. I cleaned out the separator and cut a little wood and before dinner went out to see if the oats were ready to be turned again as yesterday's wind knocked a lot of them down but they hadn't dried out quite enough on the outside. Frank spent most of the morning down town with Nellie, he got some groceries and then took Nellie down and let Lila drive Mr. & Mrs. Leigh over to dinner and he waited down and got the mail. Early this morning he went back to the gully and got a nice lot of mushrooms. This after noon we didn't get out so early as Dad. wanted to talk to Mr. & Mrs. Leigh for awhile after dinner. He went back and struck out a couple of lands and then I came back and plowed around them and left three or four furrows on each for him to finish up. He came back about half past five and plowed till six. In the meantime he fixed at the pig yard fence to try & keep the little fellows in as they have been running all over the place and to-day took to roving in to Martin's domain and helping themselves to his chicken food. Dad. didn't finish the job but thinks it efficient as far as he has gone.

Tuesday August 25th

We hooked up Belle to the buggy this and I called for Huby about eight o'clock. We drove up to Bickler's again. We stopped in at Andrew Smith's but he was not at home Bickler's weren't home either but the man was and we went over to see Bickler as he was on another farm he has bought just south of Vittoria. We had a fine drive and got home about one. Dad. tried to plow this morning with Joe and Harry but had a terrible time as Joe acted very mean so he was glad enough to have Belle back this afternoon. Frank spent the after noo morning fixing the rest of the pig fence. After dinner Frank and I started to turn out all the oats in this field but got about half done when Mr. Morgan came to see the English Wallnut trees and we didn't get any more done that day, but Frank & I hauled up a load of rails with Harry and Belle as Dad. quit early. To-night Dad. & Enah went down to a musical at Mrs. Hobbes and Frank and I stayed home to watch Tiddums. Quite cold this morning and cool all day.

Wednesday August 26th

We didn't get up very early this morning and Jim Bannister came over to get Dad. to go over and see a sick cow he has. She wouldn't eat last night or this morning and can't get up. Dad. went over and said he was afraid she was going to die. We got one load of oats in before dinner and three after and there is still a load out there. To-night I went down and joined a surprise party which they had for Verdy Wimmer who is going away next week to train for a nurse. There was quite a bunch and we went up there and played pedro all evening. I have never learned anything about the pesky game yet but I had a rattling good time just the same. I went up to the bandroom and found several practicing up there for to-morrow. Harry Moon told me the other day they were going to have a flag day Thursday but I didn't know they were going to practice for it. Cloudy and cool.

Thursday August 27th

I helped Dad. & Frank to get the load of oats off which we left on the barn floor and then got ready to go down town at half past ten. Jim Bannister's cow died so Dad. went over to hold a post mortem on her but could find nothing abnormal except an enlarged gall bladder. I went down to Huby's first thing to see if he could come over and help get in the rest of the oats but he didn't seem to feel very well but went over after dinner. Verdy Wimmer nailed me to buy a flag just as I was going

into Huby's and I had to buy another from Pansy Fischer before I got up town, however they did me for the day although they were both sold again before the day was over. I was up at the bandroom on time but nobody else was we had to wait about an hour before the float appeared and it was then to late to meet the eleven o'clock train as we intended. Harry Moon had been working hard all morning and he and Jack Ivey had Johnny Walker's dray all rigged up fine with flags and flowers and drawn by four horses. They had Al. Faulkner's spotted team on the lead and Johnny Walker's team on for wheelers but they had to have two drivers. Anyway they toated the band all over town all day and we played all the patriotic tunes we could find. They had all the pretty girls in town pretty nearly riding on the a running board around the dray where it was easy for them to jump on and off selling flags. They sold all their flags early in the day and had to make a lot of little tricolored bows and sell flowers which Ivey gave them. We came over Prosper Hill here where they collected over thirty dollars mostly from Mrs. Battersby and Jack Martin, we also went over Brant hill I stayed to Huby's for dinner and went home for supper and didn't go down to the dance after dinner tea. The girls were going to sell flowers over at the dance but I guess most of them were pretty tired as they were on the go all day. They got a little over two hundred and fifty dollars. It will be sent to the patriotic fund for the releif of the wives of soldiers gone to the front. Dad. & Frank got the rest of the oats of the front field in and Huby came over to help them after dinner but they found the oats over the gully to be soaking wet so they turned a load out and left them. Dad. plowed for about an hour and Huby Frank and Lila hunted mushrooms. Very cloudy and threatening all day & cool.

Friday August 28th

Dad. went over first thing this morning to see John Quanbury's cow which has been taken sick the same way Jim Bannister's was and has been running in the same pasture Dad. says it is going to die but doesn't know what is the matter with it. I cut a little lawn and Frank and I pitched of the few sheaves while he was gone and then we took the rack back over the gully. We all turned out for awhile and then Frank finished up and Dad & I put on a load. We got one load on before dinner. This afternoon we hauled three in and left a couple out there. We threw them up on top the alsike. To-night Enah had to go down to choir practice as Topsy asked her to play for her while she is in Toronto so I drove her down. We called for Miss Draton who was waiting for us at the gate of Mrs. Battersby. It was drizzling when we went

down and was raining quite hard when we got home It rained very hard during the night.

Saturday August 29th

It rained a good part of the morning. Dad. went over to Billy Lewis' as he couldnt do anything else and the old man came over after him last night to see a sick heifer. He stopped in at Shand's on his way home and was there till after noon.They were weighing up all their stock. This after noon Charlie Quanbury came over after him to go and take a last look at their cow. She was better last night and this morning but before dinner took a turn for the worse and is on her last legs. Dad. couldn't imagine what was the matter with her. He got some new veterinary down from Simcoe and he happened to have the inspector with him so they both came down, they said it must be Anthrax the germs of which have come in with a lot of chickens Jack Martin has just bought from some fellow on the other side, but Dad. says he doesn't think it is that because the eggs or whatever it comes from wouldn't have had time to develop yet. He says if it is that, that likely all the cattle on this place will be infected through him and no telling where it will end. I didn't do anything much all day except write part of a letter to Uncle Hal. Tom. Abbot brought Mrs. McBride over after dinner and Frank and I took her down as far as Preston's orchard to-night. We intended driving on down town but just as I cramped the buggy off for Mrs. McBride to get out Joe gave a quick switch around and brought the wheel up against the bed of the buggy and the shaft broke at the curve. It held enough to pull me home but I didn't like to go down town so Frank walked down and got Dad's tobacco. Cloudy and cool all day.

Sunday August 30th

Dad. and Enah drove down to church this morning after we had fixed a good whipple tree to a good pair of shafts in a poor way. I stayed home to watch Tiddums. We stayed out in the barn for about half an hour and then we came in the house and he chased around till he rooted Dick out of bed. Dick got up and he & I took five pictures of Tiddums. This after noon Dick took the camera and took twelve pictures. Dad. and I drove out to the Shands to get a book of Dad's on sick cows but none of them were home. To-night Enah and I drove down to church. Cloudy and cool but looks clearer.

Monday August 31st

Dad. plowed this fore noon and opened some ditches out of some of the holes in the cornfield. Frank went

back and turned over the rest of the oats across the gully. Huby came over a little while before dinner and piled up his duckhide hay. This after noon Dad. and I hauled in the last two loads of oats and Huby helped us unload them. Between loads he fixed up a gate post at the north end of the drivehouse and fixed the fence. Cloudy but fair very hot for awhile this after noon but fresh breeze sprang up later Bill Donald was in to-night to have Dad look at a shoe boil on his {toe?}

Tuesday September 1st

It was sprinkling this morning when Dad. took the team out but he didn't think it would ammount to much so took the roller out as he wanted to roll down what he has plowed before he puts any manure on it with the spreader. He just nicely got started when a nut broke on the roller and he had to quit, he would have had to anyway for just then it began to pour rain. It rained very hard for awhile but apparently cleared up before dinner but after dinner another cloud came up and we had a short session of the hardest downpour this year. Everything was flooded in no time. I spent the morning in putting another roost in the far chicken pen and enlarging the table underneath. This after noon I made another trap nest or at least started another. Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning to pay him for our road work.

Wednesday September 2nd

Dad. got a fairly good day in plowing to day although he had a couple of visitors. Young Hawn came in to ask him about a sick cow and a map agent went over and sold him a new map of the Dominion. This morning Frank and I took the brooder and chicken coops out of the chicken yard and I dug up where they were. We then went out to the cornfield and I opened some more ditches from some more holes and Frank started to dig the potatoes in the wet place but he said they were all rotten. This afternoon I cut the lawn, I had quite a time with the lawn mower as the bauls have been worn. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day. To-night Enah and I drove down and got the mail. We got a letter from Aunty bearing the astounding news that Walter is on the verge of getting married. Breezy all day very hot after dinner and looked very much like rain for awhile.

Thursday September 3rd

Dad. plowed all day again to-day and the flies weren't

quite so bad. I spent the whole day trimming the edges and digging up the rhubarb bed and also digging a piece in the strip where the currant bushes are. I didn't get much done as my back ached quite a lot from the digging. Frank cut wood and this after noon went down town and got the mail. To-night he has gone down to the moving picture show as Johnny Walker has on a twenty cent show "The Mobilization of the British Army." Cool and windy today. A short shower before tea.

Friday September 4th

We hauled manure all day to-day and got out 16 loads which just covered the unplowed part of the alsike stubble I spent in between loads cutting a little lawn and choring Frank went down town this morning and this afternoon cut wood. He has a big pile cut which he expects to last till he gets back from Toronto. A Mr. Walker was in this morning and bothered Dad. for awhile showing him a Nature Study chart which he said this school ought to have. Dad. told him the Minister of Education was a goat for putting stuff like Nature Study on the school carricalum but gave his name as one of the trustees in favor of buying a chart. It has been very cold all day and tried to rain this morning. Hattie went to choir practice tonight and the boys printed photographs, they had some very good ones.

Saturday September 5th

First thing after breakfast Toby, Frank and I went out to put the new bolt in the roller to replace the one that broke and we had a time but at last succeeded. I got the team out there and went at the ploughing Hubert and Quint came over for a little while just before noon but would not stay for dinner as Hubert wanted to go to Charley {Tuples?} and get some weed to send down to Roy. Toby and Frank had to do so many odds and ends preparing for their trip to Toronto. They left here about 3.30 and the whole four of them got off on the 5 O'Clock train, taking a basket of things down to Roy and Vernon. I had to quit the plough at 5 O'Clock and then it was late enough when I had every thing done up. It is terribly lonely I will be glad to see them all back safely. It has been cool all day.

Sunday September 6th

I put in a very lazy day. Hattie had to go to church both morning and evening and baby and I stayed home he was very good all day. I had to do the chores up early in the evening so that Hattie could get off in time. It rained a little in the early morning. I read while baby was asleep when I should have been writing letters.

Monday September 7th

I was up at 5.15 this A.M. and had nearly all the chores done up by 7. I had to go out to the corn field after the disk and it looked so much like rain I hardly knew whether to go to the field or not but I went and it did not rain but was so cold that I nearly froze but I got over a big piece. Hattie went down town in the afternoon and Lila came home with her to stay all night Hubert was over for a few minutes to tell me that he could not come in the morning as he had to see about the insurance on the Town Hall

Tuesday September 8th

This has been a most unsatisfactory day I got out fairly early considering I had every thing to do and rolled nearly all I had ploughed by noon. I thought I would have a good afternoon at the plough but just as I was going out after dinner John Quanbury came and wanted me to talk to McMahon he had a report on the blood he sent away from John's cow stating an organism had been found in it that looked suspicious when I got back from talking to him Hattie told me that Charlie Shand had been here to say the three colts were out at their fence so I had to saddle Joe and go after them I had quite a time getting them home and it was too late to go to the field when I got back, in fact it took me all my time to get everything done up before dark Hattie and baby went down town again today It has been very cold all day.

Wednesday September 9th

I have had another upset day, a most trying one. In the first place I did not get up very early. Dick came home about midnight and the dogs woke me up barking at him, we talked for a long time after he came to bed, then I remembered that I had not shut the windmill off and I stayed awake a long time wondering if the wind would get up before daylight, finally I got up and went out and shut it off and then could not get to sleep for ever so long after I went back to bed, so the consequence was when I did go to sleep I did it so properly that I never heard the alarm and slept until 6 O'Clock. I was just ready for breakfast when Jack King drove in to have me fix his old grey mare's teeth, and after getting breakfast doing up all the chores, backing the spreader out of the barn oiling it and hitching up it was 10 O'Clock. I had my fourth load just on when Jim Banister came over to beg me to go to Simcoe with him to argue the case of Lead poisoning against that of Anthrax with Dr McMahon. (Jim said) he would get Jack Martin to take us up in his car if he could, so after dinner Jack, Charlie Jim and I went to Simcoe to find our man in Delhi. I telephoned him and he said he would be in Simcoe in an hour and a quarter so we waited and when he showed up I showed him that in all reason and common sense the animals did not have Anthrax while there was every reason and many symptoms to charge the death to Lead poison. Hubert did not come over today and it was a splendid day to work. Jim said he would be over to help me in the morning so maybe we can get a little caught up. I must write to Walter now. It has been cool all day and from the looks of things there was quite a frost about Simcoe last night. I do hope the frost will keep off for a while yet and give the poor corn a chance for it has not had much of a one so far this Summer.

Thursday September 10th

I got up at daylight this morning and had most of the chores done before breakfast. I was putting the harness on the horses after breakfast when Jim Banister came over and he helped me with the manure till noon. Hubert came over just before dinner and he and I worked all the afternoon. Harry Harding came over about 3 O'Clock and he stayed out with us till we quit work. Hattie went down town and Win came home with her they all stayed to tea and after tea I drove Win home and waited at Allan's corner until the boys came along. Then Harry drove up with me and held Joe while I went in and said goodbye to Miss Battersby, she leaves on Saturday for Brantford. It has been cold all day but much warmer than yesterday. Dick went to the dance at night and I don't know what time he got home.

Friday September 11th

I was up before it was light this morning It looked very like rain, in fact it did sprinkle several times, Hubert came over about 8 O'Clock and we got a fairly good start, we hauled manure all day but I did not keep account of the loads so I suppose Tobe will go for me. We expect them home tonight but it is now 8.20 and there is no sign of them so I think we will have tea It has been a horrible day, such a strong, cold East Wind, but it was a pretty good day to work.

Saturday September 12th

We got a horrible disappointment last night the boys did not come. Hattie had killed the fatted calf, which consisted of a boiled ham, (the last one) a fruit cake, baked custard, hot biscuit, fried potatoes and several "Entres" as Mrs McBride would say. We waited tea to give them plenty of time to get home after the

train came in but there were no boys so we had our tea, Lila had come over to be here to see what old "Sunny Jim" would do when he first saw them but she was fooled too. This morning I wanted to get started for town early but I was just putting the bridle on Belle when Whit Dixon came to see if he could buy Erie and Artful, I asked him $130.00 but he beat me down $5.00, he talked for so long "understand" that it was 10 O'Clock before Lila and I got started, and it was after 11 when Hubert and I got back with the plank for the barn floor. We did not get it quite done before dinner and Alan Law got here with the separator before we were ready for him, but we soon had the floor fixed and he then put the machine in the barn and put his team on our roller and took it home with him. Hubert and I then went at the yard manure again and have the place for the stack cleared. It has been a lovely day though quite a cool East Wind, we are expecting the boys any minute now, 8 O'Clock.

Sunday September 13th

Well we all got back at last safley last night after a very enjoyable week of it. We went over to Niagara Falls on Thursday, which took a day out of our plans. It was the first time Frank and I had ever seen the Falls but Quint had been there before. We thought they were great. It was also the first time we had ever been in the U.S. We weren't so favorably impressed with it. We came over from Toronto by boat to Lewiston and from there to Niagara Falls by the Gorge Route so weren't on the Canadian Side at all. We were at the Exhibition three times, two theatres, and out at {illegible} besides down town and on several visits so we spent very little time sitting around. Rebecca proved to be a very entertaining person, and very good most of the time. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Harry Harding came back with him to dinner. I went for a walk back to the gully and around the farm and found it still all there. This after noon Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger to the buggy and took Harry Harding for a long drive. Uncle Ward came over and stayed all the after noon. The Barwell family were in for about a minute. Dick slept all morning and went down to take some pictures with my camera this after noon. It was late when we got through to-night. It has been a lovely day, sunny but not hot.

Monday September 14th

We didn't get out very early this morning. I disked all morning on the alsike stubble and Dad. & Frank hauled rails with Joe & Ginger. Huby and Tiddums cleaned up all the little sticks out of the barnyard with the wheelbarrow which Tiddums calls the auto. He is about the most comical looking thing imaginable now as he wears a little pair of blue overalls which Uncle Hall sent him and is never happy unless working at some thing. This after noon we hauled out eight loads of manure but the field isnt covered yet. Allan Law came over and borrowed the drill and the roller. Another nice cool but sunny day. If things keep on the way they are now it looks as if the war couldn't last much longer. The Germans (what are left of them) seem to be in full flight with the British & French after them and the Russians haven't got started at them yet.

Tuesday September 15th

We hauled manure all day and got out 16 loads and the field covered. We got through about half past four or five and I disked till six. Huby didn't get over till late this morning a rat stole seven of his little chickens. Quint came over and put in a connection in the two water troughs for us and stayed till after dinner. Frank spent most of the day running messages as we expect to have the threshers here to-morrow morning. It won't take long though to thrash us out. Allan Law brought back our drill and roller. Warmer.

Wednesday September 16th

We got up early this morning and were getting thing's all prepared to thrash when about seven o'clock Allan Law came over to inform us that they had broken the {illegible} (what ever that is) off the engine and unless they could get one in Dover which was very unlikely they would have to go to Simcoe or telephone to Hamilton. They telephoned to Hamilton so won't be over here till to-morrow. The cream separator wouldn't work this morning. It went all right yesterday morning but last night it bucked and again this morning. They took it all apart both times and washed and could find nothing wrong with it but they couldn't get it to go. However to-night it went beautifully although they hadn't done anything to it. Huby came over good & early and chopped wood all morning and this after noon He and Frank went back to see if they could fix the fence along the woods. They took the shotgun with them. Dad & I worked on the land all day. I disked

and Dad. harrowed on the alsike stubble. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Dave Waddle & a man named Hawkins drove over after dinner and had a little shooting. Sunny quite hot and flies very bad.

Thursday September 17th

The threshers arrived this morning but didn't get started quite early enough to finish before dinner, but it only took about half an hour after. We only had 145 bushels of oats, of course it was only off one field but we will have to be economical with them to make them last.There were 208 bushels of wheat or about 26 or 7 bushels to the acre, but it was a lovely sample and clean. Sam. Law said it was the best he had thrashed this year. Most of it around here is shrivelled. This afternoon I took the team and went out and disked on the buckwheat ground. The rest stayed up here to clean up around the barn. Dad. said Jonas came over about five o'clock after he had got dressed up from thrashing and he was crying like a baby. He poured forth an awful tale of woe to Dad. & Huby saying that Myers was robbing him. He had just come and taken his canning factory ticket. I suppose Jonas owes Myers everything as he has been hiring men all summer for Jonas, but Jonas doesn't understand it. The flower show is on to-night and Jonas had taken a lot of vegetables down so Dad. told him to forget his troubles and go and take a prize on his onions, so about teatime he came across the fields in great excitement waving his hat and aparently as happy as a king and yelled over to them that he had got three first prizes on his onions and a second on his tomatoes. Enah and I drove down to-night to go to the show and Jonas was there to show us his prizewinning stuff. The also had an orchestra consisting of Sany Lawson, Chris Fairchilds and Frank Mar. George Thompson had his Victrola there. I don't know who was the proudest one there, Jonas, Sandy or George Thompson. Another hot day but cold at night

Friday September 18th

I disked all day to day on the buckwheat ground I got over the part I didn't get done yesterday lengthways this morning and over most of it crossways this afternoon. We want to sow it tomorrow if we can. Dad. went down this morning and got Sam Law's team Ben & Ned. He told Dad. yesterday he could have them if he wanted them, so Dad. has been plowing all day. He had to quit though about five o'clock as the ground

was very hard and the shear dull. Frank did chores all morning and put fresh straw in the chicken house. This after noon he & Huby cleaned up enough wheat to sow to-morrow and he harrowed over what Dad plowed when Dad. quit. Huby had to go down and insure Sam Law's furniture & implements & stock this morning. Pretty hot.

Saturday September 19th

We worked on the land all day and Dad. got the buckwheat stubble drilled and the ditches run out. I finished disking crossways and then hooked on to the harrows. I finished harrowing lengthways by noon and after dinner harrowed it over again after the drill. It was after six by the time Dad. got all the ditches run. I disked over what he plowed yesterday on the alsike stubble before I quit. Huby and Frank cleaned up a lot more wheat. Enah and Tiddums went down this after noon to Miss Battersby's sale but didn't buy anything but a five cent wash tub. She was going to bid on the cook stove but discovered the back was all out of it so didn't get it. It has been very hot again to-day and the flies very bad.

Sunday September 20th

Frank went to church and Sunday school, and was the sole representative of the family. We got up very late so I spent about half the forenoon doing chores and helping Dad. trim up some of the sheep. Dick and I went down to Quanbury's for a swim just before dinner, we needed one badly enough but the water wasn't as warm as I have felt it. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums went for a drive down the lake shore. Frank went for a ride on his wheel Dick went down town and I fooled around here for awhile and then went down town to Hubys. Tonight I drove Enah down to church. Mr. Johnson was having service in Vittoria so Cousin Willie was in charge of things. He made a much better job of it than Mr. Johnson generally does. There was no service in either of the other churches as the preachers' are all taking their holidays, so we had a few outsiders with us. Lovely day but still pretty warm.

Monday September 21st

We got a good long day in on the land but the flies have been so bad and it was so hot that we couldn't go very fast. Frank went down and got Sam's team again and Dad. finished plowing. It was so hard that he didn't try to plow the headland along the lane. Frank took the

team back to-night. They want to use old Ned to-morrow so we won't be able to get them again. Dad. just wanted them till he finished plowing. I disked all day. Huby didn't get over till a little before noon but put in the after noon shovelling out ditches in the buckwheat ground.

Tuesday September 22nd

It has been very hot all day and the flies are enough to drive horses and men crazy we worked at the wheat ground and had it in fine shape by 3 P.M. and got the seed and drill out and several rounds by 4 O'Clock. Toby worked with me to help keep the drill from cloging with grass roots and it kept him busy in places we worked as long as we could see and got more than half the field in, but we Just got the drill and wagon put safely in and the horses in the barn when it began to sprinkle it has not rained very much yet, though there have been several sharp showers. I do hope it wont rain much till we get the field finished. Hattie and Tobe are printing photographs of the baby tonight. We got some great pictures. There were two fires to-night north.

Wednesday September 23rd

Although it rained pretty hard before we went to bed last night. It didnt rain much more and as a breeze sprang up soon after Dad. thought we might get the rest of the field in after all so we got up pretty early it began to rain again however just about seven and has kept it up off and on all day and shows no signs of letting up to-night. It is also quite a bit cooler. I read all morning and Frank & Dad. worked around the house. This after noon I did a few chores and then started to fix a drawer so as to fit under one of the shelves in the pantry. Huby came over at noon and worked at flooring the old corn crib till about four when Dad. & Frank drove down in the waggon to get some plank to rig up a pig pen in the barn and Huby went down with them. We also put rings in the pig's noses this morning. Three of the British cruisers are sunk

Thursday September 24th

We didn't get around very early this morning and Dad & Frank worked till noon penning off the bay in the barn with the plankk they got yesterday. Huby helped them after he come. I spent most of the morning in the shop

experimenting with the old moulding planes which were in the tool chest. They work far better than I thought. After dinner we took seven of the biggest pigs out of the pen and put them over in the barn in the pen they made this morning. Dad. & I each took a front leg and Huby took the hind legs and we just carried them that way They were just about all we could handle too. We rubbed each one with crude oil before putting them in as the lice were rather thick on them. Frank and Tiddums watched the caught ones while we were after another. Tiddums was a little afraid when they squealed but very much interested. Dick came over post haste after dinner to inform us that Vernon & Rebecca came up to the Woodson's to-day, so Enah went over to see them. Vernon brought the baby up as she hasn't been able to eat or sleep well lately. They are going to be here till after Thanksgiving. Dad. spent the rest of the afternoon in fixing the pig pen so the four left could roost upstairs instead of the other half so as the old sow could use it. Huby & Frank fanned wheat and I cut lawn. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Enah went down to "Pinafore" practice to-night & Frank to confirmation class. It was cloudy most of the day & cold, but we thought clear, but to-night it is very black & sprinkling.

Friday September 25th

Huby and Quint came over this morning. Quint went back to the woods with his gun but I guess didn't get anything much Huby and Frank cleaned up more wheat. Dad. & I put the drawer, we got fixed, on the pantry shelf for Enah and then we went to fix the hog pen some way diffrent and I dug a little more out at the side of the house. This after noon Dad. & I finished drilling the alsike stubble, much to our surprise we found it drilled better that it did on Tuesday, and I think it will come on all right. Huby sawed wood nearly all the after noon and Frank & Quint got the vise nearly ready to put on the bench Quint has made a beautiful job of it. There was a great old piece of oak out there which he used for one side and he is going to put a piece of iron on the bench for the other. Old Walker was over this morning to collect a little for his {wire?} and Mrs. Jack Martin came over to invite Dad. & Enah to go to Simcoe with them to-night to a patriotic concert. They accepted and so Frank & I are left alone to keep house which we have managed to do without waking up Tid. Win was over to tea. It has been pretty cool all day.

Saturday September 26th

Dad. went out this morning and harrowed over the sand knoll

which didnt cover very well. This after noon he ran the furrows and crossditches. Vernon brought Rebecca over this morning but they didn't stay very long. Tiddums tried his best to make friends with Rebecca but she wouldn't have anything whatever to do with him. Lila was over and we took Rebecca & Tiddums out to show them the animals. Tid explained everything too her but she turned a deaf ear to him. Betty came over with Huby and Quint and went back with Vernon, who said if the roads didn't get better she couldn't bring the baby carriage over again. She started twice yesterday but couldnt make it. She didn't know about coming through Martin's. Lila went down to the Ryersies and spent the day. This after noon Huby, Quint, Frank, Billy Barwell and I went back to the woods. They had their guns but didn't shoot anything much. Quint shot a bittern which Frank brought home to eat and also a crow. Huby and I went over to John Wes's to take a look at his corn horse and he told us to take it home and use it as he has no corn to cut this year. He isn't through seeding yet. He and old Robert John were harrowing on a six acre field which if the weather permits he wants to get in on Monday. When we got back we fixed up the gap from the alsike field into the gully. Dad. was still running out furrows and Harry Harding was with him. He has to go back West on Wednesday although his mother isn't much better. Val. Laney came over this after noon to see Dad about something so as there wasn't much for Huby to do, he Quint Lila and Billy all jumped on Val's dray and rode home. I dug a little more before it was time to do chores. Enah took in the sale of Winkey Smith's stuff this after noon but the stove was too small for what she wanted, but Cousin Bessy told her that they had one for sale and wants Dad. to take a look at it. She bought a set of bedsprings. Frank and I drove down to-night as I needed a haircut and Frank had to get some groceries. We went around to Smith's to get the bedsprings but they weren't there so Effie told us that some fellow that lives in the brick house way up St. Patrick St. must have them as he had sent word that he had a set delivered to him which he didn't buy so Frank and I went up there and found the springs on the veranda and as there was no one home left word with the neighbour and carried them down to Huby's and put them in the woodshed. It was pretty late when we got home. Dick got home soon after with "Larned's History of the World" in five volumes & a dandy big war map all of which he got for $1.98 and some cupons out of a newspaper. We got a letter last night from Aunty saying they all hoped to be home here about the end of October. It has been pretty sunny but a cold wind all day.

Sunday September 27th

Frank went to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. & Enah drove down to church as it was Harvest Home and communion, I stayed home to look after Tiddums and had my hands full too after he got up. It was late when they got home as they went around to Cousin Bessy's to see the stove. They are satisfied with it and are going to bring it over and try it before they set on a price. This after noon Dad. put up the box stove in the hall as we were about frozen. Vernon. Rebecca and Betty were all over again this after noon. Dick went down town and Frank went back to the gully. Winnie came over too and stayed to tea. I walked down with her and went to church to-night. It was Harvest Home and we had saved a lot of nice wheat for their decorations and told Mr. Johnson about it, but he either forgot it or was too lazy to come after it so the pigs will get it. I went in to Huby's for awhile after church. Quint expects to go to Jarvis to-morrow to pick apples. Cold wind all day. It froze the night before las and looks & feels as if it would go again to-night.

Monday September 28th

We got started as soon as possible down town this morning in the waggon to get the stove at Cousin Bessy's. Frank, Dad. & I went down, we picked Huby up on the way and called around for Harry Harding, but he didn't seem to be home, so we took Dave Waddle who happened along instead. Bert Matthews was up there mixing mortar so we had lots of help. The stove seemed to be pretty badly cracked up but we brought it over. We had to stop in at Joe Howell's and get him to fix a piece of the base. We went around by Huby's and got the springs Enah bought at the sale. By the time we got home & unloaded it was nearly noon. This after noon after we did a few odd jobs Frank and I started to cut corn. It was getting on to three when we started and we worked till a little after six but we got 20 shocks cut. It seems to be a little green yet and I had a lot of trouble getting bands that wouldn't break. Huby cleaned out ditches in the alsike stubble & Dad. finished plowing out the ditches and started to plow the headland which was too hard before. There was quite a frost last night but it didnt seem to hurt anything. Quint left for Jarvis this morning to pick apples. Not so cold to-day.

Tuesday September 29th

Dad. got out good and early this morning and finished plowing the headland, he also rolled it, harrowed it and

drilled it, he says it will need rolling and harrowing again. The wheat on the buckwheat ground is up nicely now Frank and I got out about nine o'clock and finished cutting the row there were 13 more shocks in it. We didn't begin another as we didn't know whether it is quite ripe enough yet or not and thought we would leave it a day or two to see if more of it isn't glazed. We started to pull the two rows of beans then Frank got his row done by noon but I only got about half of mine done, however Frank finished it after dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah & Tiddums lit out for Simcoe. Enah went up to attend the Deanery meeting and she stayed to come down by train to-night. Dad. brought Tid. home had his tea and has driven down again to Pinafore practice where he is to meet Enah. They have left Frank & me in charge again with Tiddums asleep. We have just finished washing the dishes, Huby didn't come over till noon and he Frank and I hauled rails this afternoon, we only got up two loads as we had a few visitors Charlie Shand came in just after Dad left with his old dog who has a lump on its jaw about the size of a baseball. I told him to leave it till Dad came home and come after it to-night but when Dad. came home the old dog wouldn't let him touch him, however Mr Shand came in before tea and between them they managed to tie his mouth so that Dad. could jab his knife into it but I guess it didn't do much good so Mr. Shand took him home. To-night is the first night that Tiddums has waked up under Frank's & my care but to-night he not only woke up and stayed awake but he howled as long & loud as he could for "Daddy & Momma. We tried several ways to pacify him and at last showed him his book and told him we would take him out and show him Tige, but Tige wasn't in the woodshed and it was took cold to take him outside. We then showed him Eaton's catalogue which has a picture of a marmit which Tid. calls Daddy. That pleased him for awhile and then we induced him to go into his carriage. Frank jiggled the carriage and I crouched in front of it to jump at him and keep in a good humor. The trouble with that was he got in such a good humor that he wouldnt go to sleep so I just jumped up when he showed signs of crying but I had to stay crouched in front on my hands & knees where he couldnt see me as I was afraid if he saw me go way he would commence. However we were releived before very long by the folks arrival home. Cold to-night sunny all day.

Wednesday September 30th

Dad. went down to see Harry Harding off this morning and brought Huby back with him. He went around to see if he

could get old Maneer to come and fix the shed but the old coon wasn't home and whent Frank went down at noon they told him that "Pa was going to pick apples in the mornng" and so I suppose we can't get him. Frank and I milked and I had an awful time trying to milk John as her teats are so short. Heny Odd came over to see if he could borrow our hay rack. I told him he could and after breakfast we had to help him put off the load of oats which was on it. Whit Dixon & Mr. Morgan were in on a little visit and Frank and I didn't get out till about {ink blot hiding writing} o'clock but we got twenty shocks cut before dinner. This afternoon we cut thirty more so got in a pretty fair day. Dad. spent most of the day fixing the well as the weight broke off the chain and he had to fish for it with grappling irons. Huby cut wood and helped him most of the after noon. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Nice day.

Thursday October 1st

Frank and I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well. Dad. came out for a few minutes and helped us with two or three shocks. Huby didn't get over till late and when he came he and Dad tended to a little dog which Tom Abbot brought here for vetinary treatment. This after noon Dad. Frank and I all went down to the Rural School Fair in the pavillion under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. We thought it was fine. The exhibits consisted of poultry all Plymouth Rocks from eggs given to the schoolchildren, apples, corn, grain, potatoes and tomatoes. The boys showed samples of carpentry work which consisted chiefly of milk stools and hammer handles. The first prize milk stool which was made by Willie Nixon and hammer handle were beautifully made while the poorest ones looked as if the only tools employed in their manufacture had been an axe & a jack knife. The girls showed cookery & needlework which looked to me to be just as good as {ink blot hiding writing} could do. Winnie Wadle got first prize on her sewing. They also had collections of bags & butterflys and also drawings & compositions. I went down partly to see Mr. Wilson the District Representative but there was such a crowd there that I didn't get a chance. I wanted to ask him about his {baby?} beef competition. Huby spent the afternoon back in the gully putting in barricades for some little trees which we hope to plant next spring. To-night Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting. I guess they didn't do much but annoy old Stringer. There was also a Pinnafore practice, part of which Dad. took in, Frank went down to confirmation class. Weather has been very much the same. The days are sunny and nice but the nighs are very cold and as a rule there is a touch of frost.

Friday October 2nd

Frank and I cut corn all day but didn't get on quite so fast for some reason. We had to take the horse up at noon and Frank put a new piece in its tail. We cut over as far as the potato patch and cut all the corn south of the potato patch so we are quite a bit more than half done the field. Huby and Dad. hauled manure all day on the oat stubble and to-night they have all the old faile which was under the alsike stack cleaned up. I walked down town to-night to get the mail I {ink blot but writing can be read under it} hung around up town for awhile and then went down to Hubys for another awhile. When I got home they told me my face was dirty. The above blot was caused by my lapsing into a dormant condition with my fountain pen in my hand and on awaking rubbing agains a big drop of ink which had run from the pen.

Saturday October 3rd

Frank and I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well. Huby and Dad. hauled manure. This after noon Frank went down to Will Bush's sale to bid on some apple crates but they went to high. Tom Abbot said you could have bought them full of apples for the same price anywhere else, eleven cents apiece I think. I didn't like to cut corn without Frank so Dad. Huby and I to say nothing of Tiddums who was least but not last in the game caught all the sheep and marked the ewes at least the old ones and trimmed them and as we had no place to dip them we mixed up a solution of genoleum and poured it down the middle of their backs from a beer bottle. We parted the wool and the stuff ran pretty well all over their bodies as it didn't soak in to the wool at all. These operations took up all the after noon. I drove Huby down to-night and got some provisions. It has been a very nice day and a lovely night.

Sunday October 4th

Enah and I drove down to church this morning. Frank went down to church and Sunday school and went down to Huby's for dinner and they all went up creek this afternoon after butternuts. Vernon and Rebecca came over to Martin's fence just after we got through dinner and Vernon wanted Dad. & Enah to go down to the Woodson's this afternoon to see them as Mrs. Woodson got a little sore about them not coming. She also wanted Enah to formally invite her over here on Friday as Mrs. Woodson didn't like the idea of her coming without. Dad. Enah and Tiddums got all ready to go when Mr. & Mrs. W.J. Thompson came in. They didn't stay very long so they went down Woodson's but Enah neglected

to invite Vernon as she wanted her to do so I don't know how it will pan out. I sat around and read and wrote to Aunty till it was time to do chores and fooled with the guitar all evening. It has been another lovely day. Quint came home last night and isn't going back right away to pick

Monday October 5th

Frank and I cut corn again all day and by to-night only had twentyone more shocks to cut. Huby and Dad. hauled manure all the after noon. Huby didn't get over till late and they had to fix the spreader a little this morning. The axle had slipped out of place. Misner the livery stable man was over this morning to get his horses teeth filed and Tupper came over after dinner to get Dad. to go over and look at his Clyde mare but as Dad. was all booked up he said he would wait till morning. Tupper was telling us a great way to cut short clover seed like ours in this year. He says if we cut it with the mower we can never gather it up with the rake but he says if we take the table canvas off the binder and set the reel low we can just take the heads off and when we get the table full we can rake them off. He was also talkin about tile drains. Bill told us there was no use trying to drain clay land with tile as the water wont go through it, but Tupper says that is only blue clay. This red clay he says is the best land for tile as they don't fill up like they do in the sand but it takes a year or two to get all the little pores and channels in the soil running to the tile established. The longer they are in the better they work. It has been much milder to-day and looks as if it might rain soon. Enah and Tiddums went down town this afternoon.

Tuesday October 6th

Frank and I finished cutting the corn about eleven o'clock amidst great rejoicings on our part. Quint came over this morning and told us Huby was doing insurance work for Ed Moon. He was to have come at noon but didn't appear. Dad. had to go over and see Tupper's mare so Quint rode over with him. When they got back Quint helped him pitch on three or four loads of manure. This afternoon Dad. & I hauled manure and made quite a hole in the pile but neglected to keep track. Between loads I swept off the floor of the loft above the hog pen and moved all the old boxes & coops that I had hens with chickens under up there and to-night Dad. helped me get the brooder up. Tiddums was out with us and would get right where if the brooder ever slipped it would fall on him and Dad. stepped on a hen that was roosting up there and when it squacked it scared poor Tiddums and he more than howled. The latest addition to his vocabulary is hammer pronounced

hamoure and ice, he saw Dad. cracking ice with the hammer the other day and has been commenting on the action ever since. He is also developing the typical and aparently inborn desire of young ones to play with the hammer. Frank found him in the chicken yard with it to-night but luckily he had not attacked the bee hive. Frank and Quint went for a tramp with the gun this after noon and got a lot of chestnuts I suppose at Charlie McQueens. The Jim Waddle family were in about five o'clock and as we hadn't got the mail yet, it was news when he told of a big snow storm out west two feet of snow in Calgary and McCloud and $35,000 worth of property destroyed in the shape of {garages?}. It has been much cooler and cloudy all day with rain but not much to-night. The wheat needs rain badly as it hasn't come up yet in the hard spots and on the headland which Dad. plowed last.

Wednesday October 7th

We hauled manure all day and to-night got the yard all cleaned up and the field a little more than covered. It is the first time we have had the yard cleaned right up since we have been here. Huby didnt come over till noon and then he brought Jimmy Rankin with him who proved very entertaining. Lila came over after school to stay all night but changed her mind when Huby went home and went with him. Alfred paid us a short visit this morning and also three dollars. Dad. bought a couple of roosters from him to kill for Thanksgiving as ours are not big enough so Frank went down and got them this after noon. This morning he took a walk down the road to see if he could see Hubys old turkey hen but Mr. Johnson picked him up by Art. Ryersie's and took him for a long ride down mud street and up the lake shore in his automobile. Frank didn't see the turkey hen but Mrs. Law told him it roosted right near their door every night and fed with the chicken in the mornings. Enah and Tiddums went down to the Woodson's this afternoon and Enah invited Vernon over here on Friday. Frank has been making arrangemens with Jonas to get Nellie to-morrow as he and Quint want to go after nuts. Poor old Jonas is having a bad time again with his "gitneys" and can't work very hard. It has been sunny and nice all day flies are bad.

Thursday October 8th

Frank got started this morning about half past seven with Nellie and the democrat to call for Quint and go after nuts. Lila went with them. Frank expected to get back soon after dinner, but they went all the way to Billington's after hazelnuts and didn't get back till after six. They got lots

of wallnuts, chestnuts and hazelnuts but hardly any butternuts or hickory nuts. About nine or a little after Dad and I got started in the waggon for Vittoria. We took the old ram home to Dunkin's and intended bringing the other one back. We also expected to be back by dinnertime but it was noon when we got there. Neither of the Dunkin's were home and the hired Englishman didn't know any more about anything than a hole in a stump. Mrs. Dunkin told us that Mr. Dunkin expected to be back by one, so Dad. and I hung around the barn for about an hour and a half. Dad. took a walk back the lane and saw the ewes and then I took a walk back and saw the two rams the old one and a lamb which I thought was a little beauty. There were three chestnut trees back there just loaded and the burrs were wide open so we got our pockets full of nuts. When I got up to the house Dad. had put the team in and was in the house having dinner so I went in, while we were eating Percy came home he had driven his sister to Simcoe to the teacher's convention. Dunkin himself was off performing bailiff's duties. Percy was rather provoked that no apples were picked as he evidently packs for the association up there and if they didn't get theirs packed to-day he wouldn't be able to do it. A Mr. Sharp came in to borrow their waggon to haul buckwheat but he said he would help pick apples till they got them picked but as he was anxious to get his buckwheat loaded before the dew fell Dad. told him that we could help pick till Dunkin came home. We just got out when Dunkin came so Dad. didn't pick very long only till Dunkin got his dinner. He didn't like to let us have the old ram unless we bought him as there was another fellow who was thinking of buying him and he would want him right away so of course he didn't want to lose the sale of him but Dunkin said we could have the lamb for twelve dollars and as he was a beauty way better than the old one we thought we would take him. I picked apples till they went back the lane got the ram brought him up and loaded him then about four o'clock Dad. and I got started for home. Dunkin gave me a watermelon just as I left. We would have been home about six but as we came past her place Mrs. Harry Moon hailed us and asked us to go down and see Jack Walker. He had been after Dad. all day to see one of his horses. We went down and found it was old Joe who had been sick since last night. Dad. was put out at him for not sending to Simcoe for someone instead of waiting so long but brought him home with us and turned him out and to-night gave him a ball. When we got home we found Enah and Huby beginning to get alarmed that none of the family had showed up. When they saw us coming up the road with

old Joe they thought Nellie had run away and we were leading her home. I guess poor old Nellie has forgotten long since how to run away but they thought something must have happened. However Frank got home about half an hour later and said everything was all right and after his little calling {illegible} recounted all his adventures. He had been in at Dunkin's just after we left and they gave him a lot of watermelons. Huby and Jimmy Rankin who has been over here all day affording endless amusement for Huby spent the day digging post holes in the gully and putting in rails for barricades of little trees. Dad. and I met the little tyke just in front of Martins tugging for all he was worth at Bluch who he had on a rope. Dad. asked him what he was going to do with him and Jimmy said he was going to bring him back in the morning. Dad thought he said back to the farm so told him to just let him go and he would follow. Jimmy had no difficulty in letting him go as Bluch recognised us and the team was just about pulling Jimmy with him. When we got home they told us that Jimmy had asked Enah if couldn't take Bluch home and bring him back in the morning and she told him he had better ask Huby so he went out and told Huby that Enah said it would be alright and he lit out with him. Eliza McBride was here washing this morning. Enah said about noon a couple of automobiles went past here so fast they couldn't count the people in them and Eliza surmised that it was Bessy Perry and Pat who were to have been married to-day. It has been a lovely day but hot looks rainy.

Friday October 9th

It rained quite a shower last night so we didn't do much to-day. Huby came over and went out and dug a bushel of potatoes for himself and then he and Dad. hauled up a few cornstalks in the waggon box to husk in the barn for the pigs. I started to make a rough plan of a signboard which we intend to tack on the corner out here stating that we have rams lambs for sale. I then went over and took a look at Jack Martin's big new chicken house which Art. Quanbury and Joe Fields are building. I wanted to see what kind of stuff they were using so that I would know what to get for my shed which I hope to build soon. Art. said Jack got a lot of siding that he didn't need and he thought I could get it from him. The rest of the building is all hemlock. This after noon Dad. and I figured out how much stuff I needed and we were going down town to haul it but it began to rain so didn't go. Dad. went down town later in the buggy and got the mail. He then got Vernon and Rebecca and brought them over. To-night we went down to meet Roy. I didn't wait at the station to see him but went up town for awhile to see Marj.

Clarke as I heard she was here. She came down to help Bessy get married. I stopped in at the bank on my way home and got my camera which Dick had. I then went down to Huby's and borrowed his boots to walk home in but it as it had rained quite a lot and looked as if it would rain quite a lot more. It proved to be an unnessary precaution however as Allan Law overtook me on Marshall's hill and drove me right around to the lane. They were all up when I got home. Cloudy wet and cold all day.

Saturday October 10th

As soon as we could get started this morning which was anything but early, we took the lumber waggon down and got a load of stuff from old Tommy to build the henhouse. It was mostly two by four hemlock for the frame and some cheap pine boards for sheeting. We brought Huby and Win over with us. Cousin Clare walked over so we had quite a dinner party. This after noon I took Joe and the buggy and went down and got Marj. to go for a drive in quest of chestnuts. We got up above Port Ryersie when it commenced to thunder, we thought it was a long way off and didn't pay much attention to it. We got up a little farther and found two or three trees loaded with chestnuts and the burs wide open so I got up one of the trees and although I could see it very black in the west I stayed till I shook off all the nuts. Marj. gathered them as fast as she could and I had got down and picked up a handfull or two when it commenced to rain. We hiked for the buggy but before I had the side curtains half on I was drenched. We drove as fast as possible up the road to the next house but the rain beat right in on us. However we managed to get under a driveway which leaked about as bad as the sky but there was no wind so Joe was content to stay there and we hiked for the house which belonged to the Mr. {Taar?}, who married Miss Dixon We waited there till the worst of the storm died down but as it didn't look as if it was going to stop altogether, we lit out for home which we reached soon after five. We didn't get nearly as many nuts as we might have but we had a very enjoyable experience. I don't know exactly what happened around here but I don't think anything in particular Roy and Vernon started for up the creek but the rain prevented them.

Sunday October 11th

We didn't do anything much this morning but sit around the house. Frank went to church and Sunday school. Roy & Enah said they were going to church but it was about eleven before they started to get ready. Mrs. Woodson and Betty came

over and took Vernon and Rebecca down to see Miss. Dick spent the morning in bed and Dad. cleaned chickens. I went back to the gully and got Nellie for them to drive to church but when they decided not to go Dick took her and went down and brought Aunty Maude over to dinner. He then went and got Vernon who had been waiting at the Woodson's expecting them to go past to church. Then he and Dad. went down to the Lane's after the butter. Lila and Win. came over to dinner. This after noon I took five snapshots of the two babies together but I don't know whether they will be very successful as the sun wasn't very bright. Roy and Vernon went back the lane and then down to Mrs. Woodson's for tea. Dad. wrote to Aunty and then drove Aunty Maude home. I didn't do anything much but went down to church to-night. It has been sunny but windy and cool all day.

Monday October 12th

Frank got up this morning about five o'clock as he Quint & Lila figured on making another nutting trip up to Billington's. He had to feed old Nellie and take her down to Jonas' to hook her to the democrat. I thought I might as well get up and ride down town with him. It was just seven o'clock when we got down there and I took a walk around by the station and found that Marj. was leaving so I said goodbye to her. I came up around by town and found Joe and Fatty Turner sitting on Anderson's steps waiting for the complement of their different parties to put in an appearance. They both had hunting coats on but Fatty only was armed with a shotgun. He was waiting for Billy Smith. Art. Smith evidently was expected but Fatty found him in bed when he called for him. Joe was very impatient as Hazel had promised to meet him at seven o'clock to go after chestnuts but hadn't showed up. He walked over as far as Hussy's corner with me grouching all the way. Huby came over but we didn't do much all day. Huby battoned up one of the doorways leading from the shop into the ice house and we expect to put some shelves in. We also got it figured out about where we want our henhouse lined to. Dick. and Dad. went back this morning and drove the cattle out of the back field and Dick went over to the woods where he says he saw a black squirrel. This being Thanksgiving day Dick had a holiday but had to go down and put the mail through or something. This banking is a dandy job alright. We had a late dinner and Roy and Vernon had to leave soon after for the station. Enah went down later to see them off and Huby, Tiddums, Dad. and I spent the remainder of the after noon separating the ewe lambs from the old ones. We put them in the field back of the orchard but the orchard fence was so bad

we were afraid they might break through so we took one of the rolls of wire which we got from old Walker and strung it along the inside of the orchard fence. Cold and raw day. The boys and Lila got lots of wallnuts but someone had picked most of the chestnuts.

Tuesday October 13th

It was rainy and cold this morning so we didn't get much done I sat around and read half the forenoon and then made a board to paint "Rams for sale" on. Alex. Jameson was in to look at them but he thought ten dollars too much to pay so Dad. didn't bother trying to sell him one Huby didn't come over till noon. Frank fixed up a lot of the old crates around the place so they would hold apples. Dad. husked corn out in the barn. This after noon we nailed the door on the west end of the big barn which blew off last winter. This was the first day of the Simcoe Fair and has been anything but nice weather.

Wednesday October 14th

Dad. went over to Uncle Ward's this morning to see if he could get him to put up a barrell of Spies as Aunty Alice wanted him to send a barrell out to Mr. Shera. Uncle Ward couldn't let him have them but he saw Art Quanbury on his way home and he told him they would put up the apples if he could get a barrell so Frank inquired at Bagley & Miller's and found he could get a sugar barrell & an oatmeal and as we want one to ship Roy's apples in, we are all fixed. I went over to Martin's and borrowed Art Quanbury's spirit level and Chris. asked Jack if he would sell the lumber that he got too much off and he said he would. When I got home I gave my signboard a coat of paint. Huby came over before Dad. came back and when he did we levelled up the two chicken houses and they look much better. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and went out and hauled in five or six more shocks of unhusked corn. Huby stayed out and husked all the after noon. When Frank came home and shelled some hickory nuts he helped him. Dad. and I went over to Jack Martin's and got our lumber and piled it up over the old house. We then went out and got a load of rails. Tiddums went with us out there but didn't enjoy himself much as he couldn't sit on the seat while we were putting on the load. When we got them unloaded Dad. went out and got Huby with all the corn he had husked which was about four bushels. The five ewe lambs got out of their field to-day and got in with the rest of the bunch then they all got in on the wheat and couldn't be kept off. Mrs. McBride was here all day washing. I went down town after tea and got my films which weren't too bad. I called around by Huby's for a little while. The pesky German's seem to have had a little stroke of luck lately. They now have Antwerp and just about all of Belgium. Much milder to-day.

Thursday October 15th

Dad. and I had intended going to Simcoe to-day to take in the last day of the fair but it looked so much like rain we didn't start and about nine o'clock it began to drizzle and kept it up all morning and was cloudy all the after noon. This morning I put another roost in the middle hen house so that I will have room enough to accomodate all the cockerels. Dad I think husked corn and Frank shelled nuts and cleaned some fish which Huby sent over last night. He didn't come over all day. This after noon we drove all the sheep in the barn and separated the five ewe lambs and left them in the barn for to-night as they had been in on the wheat and one looked a little bloated. About half past four Dad. hooked up and drove Enah and Tiddums down town to get the mail and some other things. Frank went back to the gully and I dug a little more in the patch at the side of the house. Frank attended confirmation class to-night. Dad. helped me and we got all the cockerels we could pick out.

Friday October 16th

It rained quite a lot last night and was rainy looking and muddy this morning so I drove Dick down to work. It drizzled most of the day so we couldn't do much outside. This morning we put ear labels in the nine lambs as we got a bunch yesterday from Hamilton. We had quite a time of it as it was hard to keep the inner & outer skin of the ear opposite after the incision was made but Dad. got the harness punch and his nicking knife and we managed to get them all decorated. After that I spent most of the day making the letters on the signboard. I didn't have any paint but I marked them all out. Dad. & Frank cleaned up the barn floor and Huby came over this after noon and they all cleaned up wheat. About five o'clock I drove Huby down and got the mail. I practiced on the guitar and drew to-night. Tiddums was sick after they went to bed to-night.

Saturday October 17th

I spent nearly all the morning painting my sign.I did it with just lampblack, boiled oil and turpentine and don't know whether it will prove satisfactory or not. Dad. and Frank took what wheat there was sacked up down to the mill and out of seventeen bags six of which were big ones they had 38 bushels and twenty odd lbs. and got $1.05 for it. Lila came over this morning but Huby didn't get over till noon. He is helping Aunty Maude houseclean. He Dad and I just got nicely started to clean up some more wheat when Bill Donald came in with the information that the gully fence along the road was flat and that all the cattle were out. He had driven them up this way so we just turned them into the barnyard. He said they had

been in Sam Law's wheat but Allan didn't know whose they were which seemed rather queer. Bill recognised them. The six calves Harry Dyer's cow and Jonas' heifer weren't with the bunch and I had to go over and head them into the gully from the road. I saw Charlie Quanbury just going out to his farm. He has bought Billy Louis' place this side of Shand's Schoolhouse and is going to raise truck. Dad. and Huby came back the lane with the shovel and some a posts and we got some more which we knew were in the woods and repaired the fence as well as possible by putting posts down about a foot and wiring the old broken off posts to them. Joe Fields came over this morning and borrowed their post auger again so we had to rely on the shovel to perform our operations and it was not very satisfactory. The gate was badly smashed too where they had run through. Somebody I suppose hunters take the wire off the gate and don't bother fixing it again so Dad. fixed it up and wired it solid this time. It was five o'clock when we got up but they fanned wheat for about half an hour. To-night Frank and I printed the pictures I took of the two babies on Sunday some of them were pretty good. Mrs. McBride was here cleaning to-day. Poor old Tid. had a pretty rough night of it last night. He was sick a lot and feels pretty tough to-day. Frank went down with Jonas this afternoon and got a couple of barrels at Bagley & Miller's to pack apples in. It has been a lovely day to-day.

Sunday October 18th

This being Frank's birthday, he stayed home from Sunday school pricipally though because there wasn't any, this being children's day at church. Frank went to church and to his credit be it said he was the only member of the family who attended all day unless Dick went to-night. I sat around and read most of the morning. This after noon Dad. put the saddle on Joe for me and I had a very enjoyable ride out to see Pud. Smythe. He invited me to go to Simcoe to-morrow night to make inquiries about joining a Captain Simpson's company of the 39th. and I think I will go if I can as he says it is not composed of quite the same class of fellows as the other companys which I guess are pretty tough. If the rules are not too strict and the obligations too great I think I will join, as the Norfolk Rifles belongs to the department of Malitia and defence they wont have to be called out of Canada and if they are ever needed here I would want to be there anyway and so I might as well have a little training. Winnie was over for a little while this after noon and Tiddums was much better. It has been cloudy and cool all day inclined to drizzle this morning

Monday October 19th

First thing after breakfast I put the saddle on Joe and rode her down to be shod. Whit Dixon came in before I left and

took the Artful Dodger. Sam Jacques also came over to talk "Pinnafore" to Dad. Their books have come but it seems some English theatre has a royalty on them and won't alow it to be played in public, however I guess they are going on with it just the same. It was getting on to noon when I got home with Joe and I brought the whipple tree off the buggy home with me but when I got here discovered I had lost the little device off it I never dreampt of it coming off as we couldn't take it off when we tried. I had to walk all the way back to look for it. Chris. Quanbury joined me as far as his place and when I got to the bottom of the hill Carl Sovereign plodded up the middle of the road with me. I got all the way to Joe Howell's shop and found it about two feet away from where I started. This afternoon we cleaned up the rest of the wheat Dad. had taken one load down and had on I think 48 bus {bushels} and the last load had on 30 something I went down with him the last load and it was half past five when we got home, so I had to get ready. Dick came home just before six and he went up with me to Simcoe. We called in at Smythe's and left Joe there with and drove the rest of the way with Pud's old skate it took us about an hour to get to Simcoe. Pud and I went to the Armories but Dick went over to town and knocked around till we went home. We didn't sign up at all but fell in line with a bunch of beginners and had a little drill and the captain (which is the same fellow who brought his dead dog over here last summer) told us that we could come up as often as we liked and drill and we would be under no obligation till we signed up to go to camp for three years but we didn't have to do that till next June. He said they were going to fix a shooting gallery up in the Armories and also their rifle ranges down by their track and so soon would be having rifle practice. We left Simcoe at ten o'clock but it was twelve when Dick and I got home. Louise came down to-day and is going to stay awhile. Very nice day but a very heavy fog to-night.

Tuesday October 20th

It was six o'clock before I woke up this morning and then Dad. woke me He wanted to get off to Toronto but thought he wasn't going to make it at that time. But we persuaded him to shave and and I hiked out and hooked Joe up and by not eating anything he managed to get down in time to catch the train. Huby was down at the train but Dad. got right on to see what damage - a jar of cream had done - as we saw some of it on the robe and the bottom of the buggy so didn't see Huby. I drove around to the house and got him on there and brought him over. Frank and I spent most of the morning doing chores but Huby husked corn. We went out and helped him when we got through. Alex Jamison came in again to see about a ram and as Dad.

wasn't here to beat down he gave us ten dollars and took old Greynose's lamb so we can now rub it into Dad. who seemed to think farm operations would come to a standstill if he left for half an hour but he couldn't sell old Alex a sheep when he was here before. Another fellow was in to-night to inquire about them but he didn't care about them being purebred and so didn't want to pay so much. Frank told him they could be registered but he said quite solemnly that it wouldn't do him any good if they were red breasted. We didn't know who he was. This after noon Frank hooked up Nellie and Enah Louise and Tiddums went for a drive. Huby and Frank picked apples for Roy while I gave my sign another coat of paint and then I helped them fill the barrel. We got some beautiful Seeps & Spys and a few Canada Reds and what were left of the 20 oz Pippins. It was six o'clock before we we got the barrel filled so we had to leave it out there all night without any head on it. We didn't know exactly how to pack & head them anyway. It was very late when we got through chores. Beautiful day. Sunny and mild.

Wednesday October 21st

The total results of our exertions to-day show, our advertisement hung out at the crossroads, a barrel of apples headed and a turnip pulled. After we got the morning chores done which was in pretty good time, Frank and I went out and tacked the signboard on the corner post of the cover field It was pretty well on the slant but I guess people can read it all right. Alfred was plowing in his wheat stubble and we had a short talk with him. We then went over and pulled a good sized turnip for dinner. Huby came over soon after we got in, with old Stringer's apple barrel press which Uncle Ward had lent him, and said Uncle Ward told him just how to head the barrel and that we could do it before dinner. However we worked for quite awhile at it and couldn't get the head in, it seemed too high for the barrel, so by dinner time we had come to the conclusion that the best course for us to pursue was to go down and get Uncle Ward and let him do it. Huby said he had to go down after dinner anyway so I drove him down got the mail and got Uncle Ward on my way home. After a lot of squeezing he managed to get the head in, but had to enlarge the wooden hoop and put it below the wire as the head was too big and spread the staves. I drove him home and took Tiddums with me. Frank and I drove down to the station to-night and Louise & Enah stayed home. They all got home safely and Al. Faulkner drove them up to Huby's. I went around and saw them all but didn't stay at all. Dad.

and Frank drove home with me as Dad. hadn't had his tea. It has been another lovely day. The quartette that left for the point Monday morning in {Faulmsbe's} new boat are all back again poorer than when they left. They got over all right and anchored behind some bluff Monday night and got up early yesterday morning to get started shooting. Cars Rankin and Charlie O'Lair were going down the beach and Bill Oakes & George were going to stay with the boat. Bill had crawled up in the bow which was tightly enclosed and was have a smoke, when George who was near the engine lit a match for his pipe. There had been some gasoline leaking and the fumes immediately ignited and the gasoline which was under the false bottom of the boat caught and the consequence was that although they worked hard to save it George's dandy new launch burned to the waters edge and sank. They managed to save their guns and some of their clothing. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day and Cousin Clare was here to dinner.

Thursday October 22nd

We got a fairly good start this morning and Dad. started to plow the oat stubble. He thought he was going to have nice easy plowing but it turned over so waxy and stiff that the horse could hardly draw the plow through it. He had to quit once and get the other plow the mouldboard of which has more shape to it. Frank and I dug potatoes in the cornfield and got about ten rows dug, they were beauties, no small ones and no whoppers. Huby came over at noon and he and Frank finished digging them out there and piled them up. Dad. & I took the team and waggon and took Roy's apples down and shipped them, we called in at Quanbury's and as they had the barrel all headed that Aunty Alice wanted to send to Mr. Shera, we took it too. We saw all the folks when we were down town. Dad. went out and got what corn we husked the other day. There was 19 1/2 bushels of potatoes of the patch out there. Enah and Louise drove Nellie down town to-day. Allan Law was in to-night inviting two of us over there to thrash to-morrow. It is a little colder to-night but has been a lovely day.

Friday October 23rd

Dad. and I got over to Sam's to thrash this morning soon after they got started I worked in the mow all day with Art Ryersie but there wasn't anything for Dad. to do this morning so he went home till after dinner. He then came back and helped some one-eyed guy who is staying at Bill Bush's in the straw which they put in a shed till they got it filled up and then they

started to put it in the barn and it was awful, you could hardly see across the barn, and it being alsike dust it was killing. The one eyed man who was in the straw gave out first and had to retire. I worked till I couldn't breathe and then I had to quit with the {chill?}. I went and sat by the engine till they quit which was pretty soon although they didn't get it all out. Dad. and I came right home. Aunty was over but went down with Huby. It was all I cared to do to get home and huddle up to the stove. I didn't do a chore. Dad. of course stared off with mentioning what a hot specimen I would be to go to the war if I couldn't stand a little dust but I told him it was just such mugs as me they ought to send, we're no good here and everybody concerned and the country would be much better off if they shipped us all over there and killed us off. Huby and Frank dug six rows of the potatoes in the old garden and got fifteen bushels. They sold another ram this morning to Nixon and Bawyer out at Renton. They took the little fellow. It has been another July day.

Saturday October 24th

Dad. took the team and rack town to Flemming's this morning as he thought they were going to thrash buckwheat out of the field but it began to rain soon after he left so they just thrashed the oats in the barn and finished about an hour or so after dinner. Frank and I didn't do anything much this morning on account of the rain. He husked some corn and I dug what potatoes were left in the garden here and I also drove Louise down to Huby's for dinner. This after noon Frank went and caught Nellie for Enah and then he and I went and dug the rest of the spuds in the old garden we got six more bushels so that altogether we now have 40 1/2 bushels. Several of the cattle got through the gully fence to-day and so Dad. had to go back and fix it. We got chores done early to-night for a change. A little colder wind to-day.

Sunday October 25th

Everybody except Dad. & Tiddums went to church this morning even Dick broke into his Sunday timetable and got up to attend Frank went to Sunday school. Aunty came over with us to dinner and stayed all the after noon. After dinner Frank and I went down and joined Huby and Quint and the four of us sailed went up to Wealey's, Quint bought a dandy little strip built skiff with a sail and everything complete. We started to sail up there but found it would take too long tacking so Quint and I rowed up. We got our Ginseng plant and sailed back. It only took about half an hour and there wasn't much

wind either. It was nearly six when Frank and I got home so Dad. couldn't get off to church but he and Aunty walked down after tea and he went to see Aunty Alice & Uncle Hal. Uncle Hal. gave me a great black snake skin to-day and Frank his best knife. He gave Quint his shotgun yesterday. It has been colder to-day although sunny and nice but raw breeze.

Monday October 26th

We didn't do anything much but chores this morning. Frank went over to Flemming's to see what they were going to do but found they wouldn't thrash to-day. We husked a little corn in the barn. This after noon Al. Faulkner drove Aunty Alice & Uncle Hal over in his car. Huby came over with them but didn't stay. Frank went down with them to get the mail. I took the Ginseng root back to the woods and planted it. When Frank got home he and Dad. sawed up one of the old sleepers in the barnyard for the little stove. To-night Louise and I drove up to the Bawlby's where I left Louise as she is going to help them move into their new house. I went on in to Simcoe and to the Armories. We didn't have any drill to-night but the officer gave us musketry instruction. This was Lila's birthday. It has been cold & windy all day and is freezing very hard to-night.

Tuesday October 27th

It was very late when we got out this morning and after breakfast Dad. & I went out to inspect the oat stubble to see if it was frozen too hard to plow but we saw Allan Law up at the corner with his engine and he said Flemming was going to thrash to-day so Dad. came right home and got the team & rack and went down. It froze very hard last night and seemed harder as it is the first frost this fall. The apples are all frozen on the trees and the ground is like a board. It hasn't thawed out all day to-day but isn't freezing so hard to-night although there is a cold wind from the west. I sawed wood most of the morning and Frank went out and covered the four piles of potatoes with earth although he said they weren't injured by the frost. The mangels were frozen in the ground but Mr. Flemming says if they are not touched till the frost goes out of them they will be all right. Dad. came home at noon and said they were shorthanded down at Flemming's so I had to go back with him. We finished up early. I pitched on all the after noon so didn't suffer from the dust any. I rode Joe down town after the mail to-night. The big spotted yearling jumped over the bars from the blue grass field to-night lit on his head and broke one of his horns and mabee worse.

Wednesday October 28th

John Wess came over this morning to see if we could fix up the line fence a little as he wanted to turn his cattle in on his oat stubble. Dad. told him to turn in and let them break through if they wanted to, there was nothing there they could hurt. He and Frank went back and fixed the gully fence a little to keep our cattle in there. Frank and I husked a little corn this morning for the pigs and then I made a trough for the chickens and spent the morning fixing up the yards to keep the chickens inside and separate. This after noon Frank and I picked the Sprys. I picked and he sorted. I think the frost was all out of most of them so I guess they will be allright. It was too windy to pick but I put the ladder on the inside of the tree and got most of them although there is a lot of nice ones yet around the outside. There were about five bushels of good ones and three of frozen ones & culls. Dad plowed all the after noon and said it went a little better but I guess it was pretty stiff. I went to Simcoe again to-night and had a little drill I drove Aunty home so went around by town. I saw Ed. Turner down there and asked him if he wanted to go up but he didn't to-night. While I was talking to him Andy Moore came along and he wanted to go up so I took him. I told him to be around at the stable about nine and I would drive him home but when I went down he had been there, paid for the horse and said he wasn't going back. I drove around by town and saw him and he said Tom Law was up there with his car, pickled, and he wanted Andy to drive him home so I came home alone. Milder to-day but very strong west wind. Very mild to-night and looks like rain.

Thursday October 29th

It rained during the night and all day, not hard but a steady fine rain. We couldn't do anything much outside but chores. Dad. went back this morning and fixed the gully fence where the cattle got into the west blue grass field and I cleaned out the cellar ready to put in the apples and roots. This after noon Dad. drove Uncle Hal. and Aunty Alice down to Huby's where they are going to stay for awhile. It was a miserable day to go out but Uncle Hal. was anxious to go. Dad. wanted to bring Huby back with him to help move the stove but he wasn't home so we moved the stove out of the woodshed into the kitchen by ourselves. We put the warming oven on this stove off Cousin Bessy's. When the cattle came up to-night they were all there but the three heifers. Dad. went back to the end of the lane but it was dark and we knew they must be out somewhere. He didn't milk the others

Friday October 30th

We didn't get out very early this morning Josh Varey came over and Dad. had to file his old horse's teeth off for him Huby came up the creek with Quint and then down here and he told me my sign had blown down at the corner so I had to go and fix it up. I cleaned up one of the chicken yards and then we all went out and pulled and topped the mangels and turnips. Dad went back and fixed the place where the heifers got out on the road and the rest of us husked a shock of corn, which we hauled up with us. This after noon Dad. & I hauled in the roots and put them down cellar, there was scarcely a load of mangels but a good load of turnips. We then hauled up a load of rails. Huby & Frank husked corn all the after noon. Jonas helped them for awhile. He is going to work out what he owes for pasture. Win came over after school and I drove Huby and her home and then got the mail. The Turks are now in on this War and have begun hostilities with Russia. They say it may lead to a holy war and all the Mohammedens side in with Turkey. It has been raw and mostly cloudy to-day with a couple of spits of rain. There were some very queer lights in the direct east this after noon. The looked something like the northern lights but were not colored. They looked more like rays from some huge light beneath the horizon.

Saturday October 31st

Dad. got right out after breakfast and plowed, he got in a pretty fair day. Huby came over and he, Frank, Jonas & I husked corn all morning we got about a load husked. There is a lot of nubbins on it which we don't husk. This after noon we picked apples Dad. and Frank went down to Sam Law's with the waggon and borrowed a ladder and then went out and picked up the corn and brought it in and Dad. went on plowing. He gave Jonas a tree of {Sleks?} and told him he could have them if he would help us pick ours, but he picked his own this after noon. We were just picking {sleks?} as there are some beauties and bushels of them. We just picked the biggest ones and when we got a tree done it could hardly be told that we had been it it. We will shake the rest down for cider. To-night Frank went down to the picture show and I went down with him and got the mail and some provisions. I forgot all about it being Hallowe'en till I heard the school bell ringing when on my way down but the town was full of dressed up girls & noisy boys. It has been a lovely day sunny & bright but rather windy.

Sunday November 1st

Frank went down to Sunday school and Dad. and I drove down to church. Enah had a headache so didn't go. After

{Repeat of previous page}.

church Dad. drove Aunty up to the cemetry and Frank and I went down to Huby's and waited till they got back. We went down and helped Quint pull his new boat out of the creek and turned it over on the bank to see if we could find out here it leaked and we found three or four spots were the strips were punky. Quint was disappointed as he thought she was all sound. This after noon Dad. and Enah drove out to see Mrs. Jim Waddle who is going to the hopspital to-morrow. Winnifred had the chickenpox so they didn't stay long with the baby. They came home around by the Shand's but Charlie was the only one home there. Dad. says somebody has been playing Hallowe'en tricks on the side road and have ripped the bars down going into the woods and strung them halfway across the road. Ed. came over soon after they left and he. Marion and I took a walk back the lane. We happened to see Snowdrop out on the road so had to go and put her in. Frank spent the afternoon back in the gully and surrounding country. Dick spent the morning in bed and after dinner after we had a little football match and nearly broke all the windows around the place, he went down town where he spent the after noon, evening and part of the night, he likely went to church. It has been a lovely day but looked very rainy to-night.

Monday November 2nd

Poor Frank started back to school this morning, he didn't say anything but I don't think the prospect was very cheering. Dad. plowed all day and has the field half done to-night. Huby came over and sawed wood till I got the chores all done and then we went back to the gully to see if we could find any weak spots in the fence but it seemed all right. Snowdrop got out at the edge of the culvert and we blocked a post up there with stone as well as we could. We then went up the road to fix up some Hallowe'en pranks. They had taken the old post by the bars going into the woods and pulled it and the wire halfway across the road and had Sam Law's gate and another big one and our bars all scattered around. They had had a fence built right across the road but someone had taken it down to get past. When we got through there we went up through the woods and were just going up the lane when we heard turkeys way up Ivey's gully. We thought we had better go up and drive ours home if they were there but we tramped all over the gully & woods and didn't see or hear a thing more of them. Huby had the shotgun and a chicken hawk flew over us so Huby shot him. He fell on his back and lay there. We thought shurely he was a goner but old Nig went prowling around and he got up and flew away. Huby took another shot and he swerved but kept right on flying and lit on the side hill. We went over to

him there and raised again. Huby put a black powder shell in and took a crack at him and this time knocked a bunch of feathers out of his back. He first flew a little farther and dropped. When we got up to him he was sufficiently dead for us to finish the job with a club. After dinner Huby picked apples and I sorted them and carried them down cellar. We now have all the boxes we can find around the place filled with Seeks or Spys and will have to put what few russets we get on the floor. I went down to the corner to see if I could find any trace of my sighn. The Hallowe'en fellows ripped it down and took it away some place. Charlie Quanbury said he saw it down in the bank window but Dick didn't know anything about it. I went up to Simcoe to-night. I called for Ed. Turner but he changed his mind about going to-night but said he would accompany me next Monday. I then Called for Pud. Smythe but he had gone. We had company drill up there to-night. There was a class for any who wanted to stay afterwards to study for N.C.O's. but as it meant four nights a week for three or four weeks I didn't stay. The Daughters of the Empire were giving the fellows who are leaving for the front a supper. It was cloudy all day but turned out a beautiful night.

DIARY. 1914

T.B. Barrett.

Port Dover, Ontario.

The Farmer

            {descending triangle of straight lines}

From November 31st 1914 to December 31st 1914

Tuesday November 3rd 1914.

It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much outside. I drove the boys down to the school and the bank and when I got back Tom Abbot had his horse in the drivehouse and he was in the house getting warm and waiting for the rain to let up. When he left I went out and cleaned out the horse stable and then Dad. & I oiled the buggy and put on the other whipple tree. Jonas came over and got Nellie with a view to taking the rest of his apples home. We saw Art Quanbury prowling around over by Martin's gully so we went over to see what they were all doing thinking we might get Joe Fields to help me build the new hen house. He said they were all busy but I might get Henry Odd who left Saturday. Art. went to take the old hen home that was sitting under the willow tree and discovered she had just hatched out five chicks so he stuffed them all in his pocket and took them over. Dad. plowed all the after noon. I drove down to town to see Henry. and found him working up at Jim. Caley's new house. I told him what I wanted and he told me he would see me to-night that the job he was at was too hard. I went down to-night and got my hair cut and saw him and he said he would be over Thursday morning. I went down to Huby's for a little while and it was fairly late when I got home. Huby came over this after noon and cleaned up the chicken yard. It has been a lovely after noon and night

Wednesday November 4th

Dad. got out early this morning to plow and got a good day in. Jonas came over fairly early to help as he is going to try and work out what he owes us for pasture He picked a few more russets first but couldn't get many then he cleaned up the garden. The cabbages all seem to have wilted and have no heads so he just piled them out behind the shop. Huby came over later and he and I sorted the russets and put them down cellar then carried all the apples beets & carrots down. This after noon Jonas didn't come over and we suppose he went to a sale. Huby and I husked corn but didn't get much done. I had to quit early to get off to Simcoe to-night. I drove Win up. She wanted to p a visit to Norah Cunningham. I left her there and when I got through drilling we went down to the moving picture show Norah had sprained her ankle and hadn't been able to get out. Aunty came over to dinner and went down with me to-night. She took Tiddums out to the cornfield where he seemed greatly pleased to find Huby and called him by name for the first time. He is learning to talk quickly. Mrs McBride was here all day washing. Cloudy and showery this after noon but a lovely night. It seems to be a sort of second spring. Several people have found ripe raspberries and Dad is plowing under barley {illegible} in head and An old guinea hen hatched out then young ones to-day.

Thursday November 5th

Henry Auld. came over this morning and I have put in most of the day helping him. We had to quit once or twice for rain and it took us quite awhile to get the sills laid so by to-night we had about half at the front

and back studding up. Henry quit early to pick some apples. He wanted some Tolman Sweets and as we had quite a lot we don't want we told him he could have them. Dad. plowed nearly all day but got the field finished all but runnng the cross ditches. Jim Bush is plowing up the gull for Jack and I guess is having quite a time of it. This was Aunty Alice's birthday and Aunty has been up visiting her all day. Enah and Tiddums went down to see her this after noon and we were going down after tea but it was so wet we didn't go I went to bed about eight o'clock. Frank went down to confirmation class and to call on Jonas who fell down cellar this morning and hurt himself. I guess he thinks he is about killed. It has been a miserable day. Cloudy and cold and wet. Aunty has sent Tiddums a dandy doll she made out of corn husks.

Friday November 6th

Right after breakfast this morning Frank and I drove down in the lumber waggon and got some more nails and scantling, we also took what apples Henry had picked down to him. Frank went on to school when he got the stuff for me. Henry and I worked all day at the henhouse and have the frame all up and the back siding on. Dad. hauled in the corn that was husked and some rails and ran out the ditches in the field he just plowed. This after noon he plowed the garden. He hauled the waggon in the orchard to fill with apples to take up to Walker Waddles to-morrow. Frank was down at Jonas's for a long time to-night visiting him. He seems greatly stuck on him. Jonas says he has broken a rib and seems to be trying to make himself believe he is killed. It has been a rather decent day not so cold as yesterday.

Saturday November 7th

Henry was over at half past six this morning and put what he could of the sheeting on but discovered that there was only about half enough so Dad. & I drove down in the rack after breakfast to get some but both Tommy & the Widespread were all out of it but expected some in a day or two. We tried at Jack. Martin's to see if he had any he could let us have but they were waiting for it too. We got some roofing paper and nail and got Huby's two cider kegs and came home rather disgusted as it was a fine day to put on the roofing and we didn't know when there will be another like it. Henry picked a few apples for himself and cut the boards for the front cornice. Dad. & I hauled in some cornstalks before dinner This after noon Dad. & Frank took the load of apples that Frank picked up this morning up to Walker Waddles and got our barrel and Huby's 2 kegs filled. They didn't get back till about five. Henry and I were all the after noon puting siding on the end of the old chicken house and it has improved the appearance of it 100%. Henry left his tools here and said he would come back when the lumber came if he wasn't busy. He only charged me $3.75 for all he has done and then told me not to pay him now and he has made a fine job so far. Marsh from up the Gravel Road was in this morning to look at the rams but didn't buy on account of the price. It has been another lovely day sunny & mild.

Sunday November 8th

It rained all morning and part of the after noon but Dad. and Frank drove down to church. Aunty came back with them and she and I walked down to church to-night. I went down to Hubys for about an hour after church. Huby was playing solitare much to Aunty's sorrow and the worst of it was Aunty Alice would show him a move occasionally. Huby gave me some cider and handed me a large piece of plaster which he told me was Scotch shortbread. Before I knew what I was doing I had my mouth full of it. This after noon Dick went down town and Frank back to the gully. I sat around and read and drew. It had cleared off and was a beautiful night to-night but was freezing hard when I came home.

Monday November 9th

We didn't get started very early this morning and Dad. and I spent most of the day working with the potatoes. We sorted the two pits in the field and got quite a few frozen ones and some which were not frozen but still rotting. We sacked them up and this after noon we hauled them in and Dad. took 6 bushels down to Huby. Tupper came in and borrowed our waggon box to take his seed to Hagersville. To-night I went to Simcoe. I called for Ed Turner but he was tired and didn't go. After drill Captain Simpson told us we would have to sign up now. He told me I was under no obligations as if I had a good excuse I needn't go to camp and could resign if I wanted to. In case of Canada being invaded I could be turned out for six or eighteen months service but I in that case I would go anyway so I swore obedience & fidelity to His Majesty and signed up with C Company.

Tuesday November 10th It has been a rotten day to-day cold, windy, cloudy & wet. It snowed a little but rained mostly. Dad. & I put off the load of cornstalks which was on the waggon and then went out and husked a shock and divided three or four unhusked shocks so that we could load them on the waggon. We then took the rack out and with the aid of a sling rope put on nearly a whole row of unhusked shocks. This after noon we did chores and stretched a bit of poultry wire around the old calves' pen in the barn and to-night caught what single comb roosters we could find and an old black hen and confined them in their death cell as we are going to eat them when we get hungry. Frank says he thinks our lumber has come. Quint & Bill got back from the Point.

Wednesday November 11th

We didn't do much but chores to-day it has been cloudy and threatening all day. We unloaded the load of cornstalks which was on the waggon and and husked a little corn for the pigs. Dad. killed a couple of chickens and Sid. McBride and an agent came in representing {Gumas?} limited. They were here a long time and went away with a ten dollar order for beef scrap and hog meal. Tupper brought the wagon back. I didn't intend to go to Simcoe to-night it looked so stormy but Dick came home to go with me so we went and although it was dark and sprinkled a little it wasn't a bad night. I got my uniform to-night. Mrs. McBride was here all day.

Thursday November 12th

Did chores and husked corn all morning. This after noon Dick and I drove to Simcoe. Dick got his photograph taken at Moores and I took a lot of harness up to Church's to be fixed. Dick and hung around town till most of it was done, shot two or three games of pool with Dick, first games I ever played, didn't do so badly considering. I had to leave a bridle up there, we left Simcoe about six so it was fairly late when I had my tea. Cloudy most of the day and inclined to be rainy but not cold. Dad started to plow the plum orchard this after noon, awful job. Young Snider from down Jaw lake bought Dad's ram lamb to-day.

Friday November 13th

It rained a good part of the morning and I drove the boys down to the bank & school. During the morning a terrific wind came up and lifted the top of the straw stack and flopped it between the stack and barn. Dad. & I discovered that Charlotte's heifer was under it but we could hear her lowing. It took us quite awhile to dig her out but she didn't seem any the worse she was up agains the stack so the big weight wasn't on her. Dad. & I went down town before dinner and got our lumber at Tommy's. This after noon Dad. plowed in the plum orchard and I did chores and husked a little corn. It was cloudy windy and rather cold this after noon with occasional spits of sharp rain.

Saturday November 14th

I spent the morning doing chores. Frank helped me husk some corn for the pigs and then went down town after some jars Harry Dyer came after his cow and calf. This after noon Frank & I sorted out another pit of potatoes and found a lot of rotten ones. We husked a little more corn. Frank went back to the gully and found Snowdrop in Sam. Law's wheat so brought her up. The others were all right. Dad. got in a full day and finished the plum orchard. He hauled in the potatoes we sorted to-night. After tea he & Frank killed and dressed a couple of roosters. Aunty, Aunty Alice & Lila were over for a little while this after noon. Sunny but cold east wind.

Sunday November 15th

It rained steadily all day so none of us went down town but sat around and read. Enah and I had a piano & horn concert this after noon. Dick didn't come home last night so we don't know what happened to him nor any of the news. Very windy night.

Monday November 16th

Dad. & I took the plow and waggon back over the gully this morning and loaded up a load of rails of John Wess' line. He came over and said he would bring his engine over and buzz them up for us when we got them all hauled. Dad. started to plow the old alsike stubble and took in a land or so of the bluegrass field to plow off the little gully. He plowed all the afternoon and got a good start made. I did chores most of the after noon but went back and put on another load of rails for Dad. to haul up to-night.To-night I went down to a surprise party at Billy Boughner's which Elva and the sewing club got up. Had a great time. Bill Buck came and borrowed the hay rack to haul a load of boxes from Simcoe. It has been very cold and windy all day and is freezing hard to-night.

Tuesday November 17th

It was frozen up solid this morning and very cold and windy so Dad didn't take the team out although he thought he could have plowed in the sod. He killed and plucked a couple of chickens and I went back to John Wess' to see his cement fence post mould. I was over there quite awhile. Didn't do anything much this after noon. Dad. went down to Sam Law's and got our turkeys and I went over to Jack Martin's to see if he wanted to buy my roosters. He said he would come over soon to look at them. Dad. & Frank wemt down town as Uncle Hall wasn't so well to-day.

Wednesday November 18th

Huby came over this morning and we hauled a load of hay over from the big barn to the other and put it over the bull pen. We then went out and divided all the big shocks of corn in one row and hauled them in this after noon. Quint came over to tea and he and I drove to Simcoe to-night. Quint went over to the armories and but didn't drill. We got home about twelve. Aunty was over here all the after noon and is going to stay awhile. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Cold & windy.

Thursday November 19th

Dad. & I unloaded the load of corn this morning and Huby came over and he & I went out and divided another lot of big shocks

so we could put them on the waggon. We hauled in another row before dinner. I just about froze and felt a little sick at noon so didn't do anything for awhile after dinner till Dad. & Huby husked some corn then we put the load off and got another load in without dividing them. Enah, Aunty and Tiddums all went down town this after noon. It has been thawing all day but a very cold raw wind and before dinner we had a short but fierce snow storm.

Friday November 20th

We intended to haul in the rest of the cornstalks to-day but Henry Auld came over about nine o'clock so I had to help him. It was pretty cold so we didn't try to put the roofing on but we got the sheeting and front on. Huby came over about noon and he and Dad. husked corn and did chores. About five o'clock Mully rather unexpectedly presented us with a heifer calf althoug we discovered that it was just due instead of being a month early as Dad. supposed. It is a dandy and clear red except for a white tip on its tail which Huby says will be a fine landmark if Bluch doesn't bite it off. That makes six head of cattle that I now own. It has been sunny to-day but didn't thaw at all and there was a cold west wind.

Saturday November 21st

Henry came over again this morning and made the rfames for the front of the henhouse and this after noon we put the roofing on. It was pretty cold and we had to heat the tar so it would run. Dad. Frank and I hauled cornstalks this morning. We got them all in in two loads and got the last load after dinner. We had to leave one shock in the middle of a water hole as it was frozen solid. Henry only charged me seven dollars for all his work

Thursday December 3rd

It is nearly two weeks since I last wrote in this but this is first day I have been at all in the mood to write as I have been laid up with the "Yaller Janders" and have felt pretty rotten although spending only one entire day in bed. I am not yet able to do anything outside although I feel ever so much better. Frank and Dad. have had a pretty rough time of it and haven't been able till to-day to get a thing done but chores although the frost went out early last week and all the other farmers

field. He took the waggon back with him at noon and Frank and I went back and filled it with rails and Dad. hauled it up to-night. I spent the whole morning and what time I had this after noon in cleaning up the chicken yard and houses and putting fresh straw in. I got it pretty well fixed up. Frank did most of the chores and Dad. cut his hair to-night. Enah sold one of the young gobblers to-night to Will McNeily. Cloudy and windy to-day but not very cold.

Sunday December 6th

Aunty & Frank went down to Sunday School and Dick and I joined them at church. This after noon Frank & I did up most of the chores and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. Enah took Frank's and my picture. To-night Frank is to be confirmed and Dad. Enah & Aunty have all gone down to church and Aunty Alice and I are looking after the house. It froze a little last night but hasn't been cold to-day.

Monday December 7th

Huby came over to-day and has been ditching in the back field all day. Dad. finished the piece he was at and got a good start on the bluegrass side hill. I did chores all day it takes so long to husk corn enough for the pigs that I don't get time to do anything else, although I did go over and see Brierly to ask him about feeding beef scrap. He told me to mix it with rolled oats and feed in a hopper. Jack said he was coming over to-day to look at the roosters but he didn't come. Mr. Morgan came over before dinner and stayed most of the after noon. I ordered a pecan tree from him. Quint came over to tea to-night and he and I went to Simcoe. I was very much behind as I missed all the rifle drill last week. We went out on a march way down to Yager's place Dad is in a great figit to-night as he was summoned to appear as a jury man and he thinks Court sits to-morrow but he lost the notice and neglected to write and ask if he wasn't exempt as he is {US?}

Tuesday December 8th

Dad was very wrathy this morning as I found out in Simcoe last night that the best thing for him to do was to turn up at the court house to-morrow and Cousin Willie told him this morning the same thing. He telephoned to Kelly and found out that he had to be there by one o'clock so he went up but he managed to get off as he is a Vet. It would have been a great day to plow. Huby ditched all day and I didn't do a pesky thing but chores principally husk corn for the pigs. Mr. Flemming came over and said he was going to thrash to-morrow but said he could get along if it would have to stop Dad. from plowing or if I didn't feel well enough to work in the dust but Dad. went over to-night to Quanbury's to telephone to Billy Lewis as he said he would give us a hand when we wanted him. Cloudy and windy but not very cold.

Wednesday December 9th

It snowed during the night and has been snowing & blowing all day but not very cold. Dad. helped me husk corn this morning but plowed all the after noon. Both Tupper & John Wess told him they were going to give him some help if it stays open. They say plowing under an inch or two of snow is as good as a coat of manure and that is what Dad is doing. This after noon I hooked up Nellie to the democrat and drove Aunty Alice down town I went around by the mill to get a couple of bags of oats rolled fror the chickens but they were to light so I got them chopped and rolled and bought some rolled oats. I also got a bag of flour and took it down to the Belgian Relief house. We got home about five o'clock.

Thursday December 10th

Dad. plowed all day and Tupper sent his man over this after noon so they got quite a chunk done.

I did chores and this morning built a hopper in the chicken shed and filled it with twenty five lbs of rolled oats and three or four lbs of beef scrap and they seemed very greedy for it. Enah drove down town this morning and brought Cousin Clare over. She was here all day. There was an extra drill on to-night for the recruits but it was so late when we got through that I didn't go up.

Friday December 11th

Dad. got in a full day again to-day. I went back for awhile this morning and this after noon I hooked up Nellie to the democrat and drove Aunty Alice over to Mrs. Cooke's and went around by Tupper's and borrowed Charlie Butler's side hill plow, Dad. says it saves a lot of carrying furrows but is very awkward and it is impossible to do a nice job with it, what bothers him most is seeing the furrow go to the left. Sunny day.

Saturday December 12th

Dad. plowed all day again and John Wess came over and helped him all day so they got on fine. I did chores and putterd around. Frank went down with Nellie and the democrat and got the box which Cousin Lizzie Hyde sent to us it contained a lot of old family treasures of Fa's older brother. There was a pair of old hosllers, an old sword, a revolver of ancient patteen an old portable desk with some old papers and photographs in it some old silverware and a few books and papers. Huby & Lila came over with Frank and Huby husked corn all the after noon. I got four eggs yesterday which is the most I have got yet but none at all to day. Not so sunny but not cold.

Sunday December 13th

Auntie and Frank went down to Sunday school and Enah drove down to church. This after noon Aunty and I drove out to the Smythe's. To-night I walked down to church and Aunty & Aunty Alice went down to Huby's as Aunty Alice wants to be down there to-morrow to get ready for her trip to Ingersoll to see Uncle Hal's sister. Dad. went down to Alfred's to-night and found Blaikie down there so had quite a long visit. It has been snowing pretty much all day. It was coming down very thickly this after noon and evening and when I came home it was very soft, the water was dripping into the cistern.

Monday December 14th

When we got up this morning we found it had turned much colder and quite strong wind had got up. The wind kept up all day and was terrific to-night and it was also very cold but sunny and freezing very hard to-night. Dad. & I went back this morning and chased the horses all up and put them in the barnyard. We put Ginger in but the others stayed out all night. We took Charlie Butler's side hill plow and put it through the fence on to the road and then came up and hooked up the team to the bob sleighs and to it home to Tuppers and on our way back got our own plow and took it up. This after noon we did chores principally. Blaike came in to tea. Quint came over to go to Simcoe with me but it was so windy & cold we didn't go. I went down town with him after tea and we were both glad we decided not to go. We went up to Tip's and I bought myself a pretty nice overcoat for $13.00. I hung around town awhile and went down to Huby's for a little while.

Tuesday December 15th

We did chores principally to-day and I shovelled

some snow. We were going to haul a load of rails up this after noon but Huby came over to tell Dad. that the township council was meeting this after noon and Hammond sent word over for Dad. to come down and see about his taxes so Dad. went but found it was the same mistake in the assement which the town council was going to rectify but he saw the asessor and had the pleasure of telling him what he thought of him. When he came home Jack Martin came over to look at the roosters and said he could pick twenty out of this lot. Froze hard all day but wind not so strong.

Wednesday December 16th

Dad. and I hooked up to the bob-sleighs before dinner and hauled up a load of rails. After dinner we went down to the mill and got a couple of hundred of oat chop for the pigs. Then I filled up the three days' accumulation of manure in the horse stable into the bob-sleigs and Dad hauled it over to the potato pit. When he came up we hauled the manure spreader from the shed at the cow stable over to the shed at the big barn. We did chores early and I went to Simcoe to-night Quint didn't come over so I went alone. We had a good drill after which I went over to the rink for a minute or two they have started skating up there. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Not quite as cold or windy to-day.

Thursday December 17th

Dad. and I went back to John Wess' line and got another load of rails this morning. We didn't do anything much but chores this after noon. Aunty was over to dinner but went back again. Dick told us that Dave. Waddle would be over in the morning to butcher hogs. Much milder to-day & sunny but still freezing. The German's bombarded two or three towns on the English coast.

Friday December 18th

Dave Waddle & Powell McIntosh came over this morning about ten o'clock armed with a rifle and numerous pig killing utensils We let the pigs out of the pen two at a time and Dave shot them & stuck them. He only had to shoot one twice. They had the whole four all dressed by twelve o'clock and wouldn't stay to dinner nor take any pay. Sid. McBride came in as they left and I paid him for the chicken feed. We then measured the fence along the road and Dad. orderd 120 rods of fence from him. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and Dad. Frank and I went down with Huby's pig. It was the biggest and dressed 120 lbs. Very much milder to-day and nice out.

Saturday December 19th

It was snowing hard when we got up this morning and there was quite a wind. It was very soft and hasn't frozen all day but is freezing to-night. We moved the calf this morning from the horse stable over to the barn and put the colts in. We also cleaned out the rooster's pen. Chris told me he was coming over to get some of them this morning. He didn't come till to-night and as it was getting dusk he only picked out 16! This after noon we hooked up Joe & Ginger to the bob sleighs and the whole family went down town. We left Tiddum's in Aunty's care at Hubys and Aunty Alice who got back on the noon train went up with us. Dad. went in to Moses' and got measured for a suit which Dick is going to have made for him Aunty supplying the stuff. He then went down and cut up Huby's pig for him while Frank and I brought the team home.

Sunday December 20th

Daddy & Frank went down to communion at eight o'clock this morning and Frank stayed down to Sunday school and the later service. I didn't go to church at all to-day. About twelve o'clock Dad. hooked up Joe & Ginger to the bob sleighs and drove down and brought over Cousin Clare, Aunty & Aunty Alice to dinner in honor of Tiddum's second anniversary birthday. Dad. drove Aunty Alice & Cousin Claire home before tea and Aunty stayed here to mind Tiddums while Dad. & Enah went down to the Methodist church to hear Nell. Smith sing a solo. Beautiful day, sunny & mild.

Monday December 21st

It snowed a lot more during the night and it was very wet and heavy but there was quite a cold wind all day and it dried out. I drove the boys down this morning in the bob sleighs and got a couple of bags of chop at the mill for the pigs. Later Dad & I drove down in the cutter and took Aunty down. Dad. went around to see Niel Elliot to see what he would give for Charlotte who is nearly a new milk cow; but Niel wasn't in town but Joe Long said he would tell him. This after noon Dad. cut up a couple of the pigs and I shaved and got ready to go to Simcoe to-night. Dick & Quint came over to tea and we all three went up but it made things pretty crowed in the cutter and consequently cold and heavy pulling. Dick went over to the rink and skated all evening and I drilled. Quint went on a fruitless task somewhere in the country in quest of a ferret and Dick and I hung around the barn till nearlyy twelve o'clock and we didn't get home till after one.

Tuesday December 22nd

We did chores all morning and Dad. cut up the other pig. This afternoon we hooked up to the bob sleighs and drove down and Dad. brought Aunty & Aunty Alice over but I stayed up town got my hair cut and walked home. Frank got out of school at recess to-day for the holidays. He has gone down to the picture show to-night. There has been a very cold wind all day and is freezing hard to-night.

Wednesday December 23rd

Dad. & Frank went back this morning and got a load of rails and also cut a lot of green poplar sticks out of the woods I spent the morning tacking cotton in one of my chicken frames. This after noon Dad. & Enah drove out to see Mrs. Jim. Waddle who is very ill and not expected to live long. Mrs McBride was here all day. To-night I drove to to Simcoe alone. We didn't have a long drill as it was so near Christmas so I got home before the family had retired. Windy all day. Cold & still to-night. Frank spent the after noon getting a little Christmas tree for Tiddums.

Thursday December 24th

I drove Aunty down town this morning in the bob sleighs and got 6.00 of chop at the mill. This after noon Dad. dressed a turkey for to-morrow's dinner and I did chores principally. Winny & Lila came over this after noon with the mail and stayed to tea. To-night Dad. walked down to get his hair cut and Frank and I hooked up the team later to the bob sleigh and took Win. & Lila down I waited around in the bobs till the Woodstock train came in and then drove Dick, Ferdy who came to spend the holidays with Dick, Dad & Frank home. Cloudy & rather cold.

Friday December 25th

This being Christmas Day we didn't try to get any more work than was absolutely necessary done. Aunty Alice looked after Tiddums while all the rest of us went down to church Enah got word last night from Harry Moon that Topsy wouldn't be here so she had to play the organ which was rather strenuous as she hasn't had any practice with the choir. Dick & Ferdy spent the after noon at the Dyer's and didn't show up till five o'clock when we had dinner. After church we went around by Huby's and got all of that family but Quint who was hunting but who showed up before dinner. Aunty

Maude didn't feel very well but managed to get over Dad. drove them all back again to-night. In the after noon we had a little tree for Tiddums and Huby was Santa Claus. Nobody got or gave any presents (which was arranged beforehand) but Tiddums & Lila. Aunty Alice did get us boys some socks etc. but said they weren't Christmas presents. Quint, Tiddums & I went to sleep to-night in the dining room and the rest of the family played "Pit" in the kitchen. Ferdy & Dick went down town after dinner and didnt get back till late when it was discovered that Ferdy's ear was frozen. Beautiful day. Clear and frosty but sunny.

Saturday December 26th

I did chores principally to-day and Dad & Frank cut down the old snow apple tree in the orchard. Ferdy got up about noon and he had an ear on him as big as a turnip and a great big blister on it. Dad opened it and found it was so badly frozen that poor Ferdy had to stay in the house all day. I guess it was pretty slow but a half-starved Englishman drifted in here looking for work and entertained him while he was getting warm and eating enough to do him as he said himself till tomorrow morning. Aunty went down town and told us when she came home that some farmer had telephoned in to say this englishman we are sure left him and stole all there was in the house. Dick came home to tea but had to go back again. Huby & Quint came over after tea to catch the little pigeons for a match but could only get two as they roosted so high up in the barn. They came in and played "Pit" with us for quite awhile. They say it was down to 20° below zero last night but has been a beautiful sunny, still but frosty day. Snowed a little this afternoon.

Sunday December 27th

We didn't get up till late this morning so Dad. & I didn't get to church at all. Aunty walked down to Sunday School and I drove Enah and Frank down to church. Dad. drove after them at noon. Dick & Ferdy spent the morning in bed and the after noon and evening down town. I fooled around and did chores all the afternoon. Not so cold to-day but windy & cloudy.

Monday December 28th

We got a late start again this morning. Dad. & Frank went back to the woods and got some more poplar poles. I went over to Jack Martin's and settled up with him. He gave me a check for $79.00. Neil Elliott came to look at Charlotte but didn't want to give $60.00 for so Dad. thought he would keep her and veal her calf and make enough out of the cream all winter to pay for keeping her although she isn't a very heavy milker. This after noon Dad. intended to go down to Nomination but Tom told us this morning that Mr. Lemon's funeral was this after noon at two o'clock. Right after dinner I drove Enah and Ferdy down town and when I got back Dad. took Joe to go to the funeral but Tom had been here and said he had been mistaken and it was at one o'clock so Dad met them at the Winding Hill and went to the cemetery with them and brought Enah and Tiddums home with him from town. To-night Dad. Frank and I went down to town nomination but there was no fun Vyse was the only speaker to amount to anything and will probably go in again by acclaimation. He brought up one little incident of a private nature to spite L.G. Morgan for the articles appearing in the "Maple Leaf" last summer but Murray got up and took {Leny's?} part and explained the case satisfactorily. Milder

Tuesday December 29th

We did chores this morning and this after noon I drove Aunty & Aunty Alice down town in the bob-sleigh. They are going to stay down for awhile to call. Ferdy & Frank went back to the woods

with the shotgun, axe & rifle and chopped down a few trees and shot a few stumps. To-night I went down town thinking there was a band meeting but nobody showed up. Nice day.

Wednesday December 30th

I went down town this morning to see if I could get Joe shod but Joe Howell's shop was full till noon but I took her down this after noon and got her in Ferdy & Frank went down with me and Frank got the saws from Chris Fairchilds which I took down yesterday to be sharpened and Ferdy stayed down for awhile. While I was at the shop a wedding {illegible} went past which which turned out to be Jean Davis. Quint came over to tea and we went to Simcoe to-night. Quint went to skate and I to drill. There was no light at the armories so they took us out for a couple of miles march and gave us some formations on the march. After this Quint and I went in to the "Reformer" shop to see Karl. who showed us all about his wonderful Linotype machine. Mrs. Jim. Waddle died this afternoon. Nice day and lovely night.

Thursday December 31st

I didn't do anything but chores all day and this after noon I shaved. Dad. Ferdy and Frank went back to the woods and got a load of poles. This after noon Ferdy & Frank went down town and Ferdy showed Frank through the mill Ferdy stayed down to tea somewhere. Tonight I went down to a dance which the "Everready Sewing Club" got up for the relief of the Belgium's. There was a big crowd there and altogether they took in fifty four dollars and fifty cents which was clear as they got everything free. I had a dandy time and danced every dance I could get. I was dancing when the clock struck twelve and Anno Domini One Thousand nine hundred and fourteen was not more than history.