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 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 tomorrow 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 {illegible} 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 forenoon, but after dinner it settled in to snow and stayed right up at it till by to-night there was a blinding now 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 somewhere 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 afternoon so he slept till noon and this afternoon 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 Lang, 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 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 fruitcake 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 fruitcake 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 {illegible} 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 orange 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 out other parts both ahead and behind. It was getting late but at the door of the Dominion we found George Hammmond 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 in the list of township councillors was also there. Hammond bought cigars but I'd had enough alone.

We played The "Campbells are comin" in which the horn 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 Harrys and played it all through finding out afterwards 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 don't 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 windmill as the snow made things nasty to work with, but right after dinner we raised it with out any trouble Harry and Belle 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 to 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 Alfreds. We did up the chores this morning, as we had negected a lot of yesterdays we had enough 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 looks as though our sleighing wouldn't last long. There hasn't been wind enough to drove the windmill 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 wirl 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. Hobbs. 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 anywhere but our lane was drifted full in the roadway so I had to go along the top of the bank next the lawn fence. We didn't try to do anything 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 afternoon 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 enough breeze 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 anything 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 bobsleigh from Butler, this afternoon 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 today 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 Wiggis 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 forenoon 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 snowball on the fly but at last Sam decided to quit. and told them to be back by tomorrow 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 today, 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 and 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 from {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 afternoon 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 afternoon 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 Mioner'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 a 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 afternoon and milked Charlotte for him. Miss Newel was over to see Tiddums and he drove her home. Cloud, 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. Lloyds 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 afternoon 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 & lead naught 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 had been rather cold and blustery all day.

Thursday January 22nd

I did chores this morning and cleaned 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 firewood 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 afternoon 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 then 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 afternoon 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 forenoon doing chores and we also took Osprey out for 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 that 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 somebody 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 afternoon. 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 afternoon 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 afternoon 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 safety 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 scrabbed 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 afternoon but by the time I got the rails unloaded The Law's came in to take their clover mill and engine down to Bob. Leitches 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 sawdust 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 fore foot. 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 a {couple?} 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 windmill. 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 afternoon Dad. went down and got his hair cut and was gone all the afternoon. 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 everywhere 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 peacable 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. Farr 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 one 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 any thing 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 afternoon as he says he is going to church to-night. Frank spent most of the afternoon 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 other wise 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 afternoon 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 Nobody was down town to-day, so we haven't got the mail.

Thursday 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 watching & helping 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 afternoon 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 {Nyers?} 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 windmill, 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 windmill, 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 Lula. 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 afternoon 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 know 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. Lula 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 afternoon Cousins Clare and Phoebe came over and also Quint, Huby and Lila. Dick was in bed all morning and went down town this afternoon 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 Daves, 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 stair, while he got it. He rushed into the bar to get a fifty cent bottle but Walt. told him tnat they didn't have any smaller than a dollar and a quarter bottle.Tom was in such a hurry that he said anything 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 anyone 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. 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 sleigh riding 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 after noon, 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 in tend 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 windmill, 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. Farsett 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 though 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 Johnnys big horse and they pulled it easily.

Huby stayed to dinner and this after noon we placed the hen house just were 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 afternoon. 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 afternoon we discovered we had left Alfred's crosscut 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 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 afternoon 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 day 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 afternoon 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' 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 allowd 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 afternoon. 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 afternoon 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 somewhere 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 afternoon 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 anything 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 afternoon 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 windmill 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 anything much but fool with the lambs this afternoon. 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 drive house, 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 him self 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 barn 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 afternoon I cleaned out the hen house and did chores. Whitesell was in this afternoon 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 afternoon 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 afternoon. 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 afternoon to see about getting some corn stalks, he was telling us a lot about sheep and a good many other things. Cold, raw wind, snowy.

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 afternoon, 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 them selves. 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 and 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 {Faulmobe?} 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 anything 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 Ralf 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 anything. 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 he 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 afternoon. 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 afternoon. 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 after noon 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 forenoon 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 break fast 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 this 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, as 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 all right. 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 miill 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 {Fa?} 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 anything (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 forenoon 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 afternoon 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 muskrat 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 afternoon. 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 wentvup to see Ed. after church as he told Dad. if I came down anytime 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 noplace 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 afternoon but the roads are in such a condition that I didn't think I would enjoy it much so didn't do anything 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 afternoon 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 hardwood and braced the step ladder. It has been a miserable day not at all cold but terribly muddy and cloudy all the forenoon and it rained all the afternoon 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 after noon 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 shot gun & 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 Wison & 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 afternoon 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 Githa 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 Githa. 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 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 Gilles 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. Haby & 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 twentyfour 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 afternoon, 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 may.flower'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 barnyard, 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 morning receiving visitors Dick Faulmsbe was the first caller. Billy {Falour?} 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 with in 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 betweeen 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. Leanay'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 whatever 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 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 put out 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 forenoon. 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 afternoon I drove Enah down to doo some shopping. and she walked back Lila came over this afternoon. 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 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 after wards. 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 the little chicken feed hopper this morning all but putting the hinges on the lid. I didn't do anything 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 woodshed and chored around. This afternoon 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 windmill 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 there?} 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 afternoon 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 bulding 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. Y. 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 lunch 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 today 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 afternoon.

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 afternoon. 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. Hobbs 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 solid enough to do without 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 afternoon 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 whitewashing 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 whitewash I had left over on the trus 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 afternoon 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 afternoon 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 afernoon 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 any way 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 here after I hope. Dick brought home word last night that Mr. Hobbs 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.

Aftrer dinner Huby and I went back to the wood and were gone nearly all the afternoon 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 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 as 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 afternoon 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 steel 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 woods 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 head land 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 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 woods 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 big. 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 thef ield 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 afternoon, but Frank is all in to-day. He took the lawnmower 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. Cloa 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 afternoon and came home to tea to-night. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and back to the gully this afternoon. Lovely day.

Monday May 25th

Dad. and I both got a pretty fair early start this morning and I nearly finished cross disking 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 in stead 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 afternoon. 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 where ever 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 sash for the shop which have been at the wide spread all spring. Huby worked around. This afternoon we had to move the stove into the woodshed. 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 figure 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 afternoon 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 afternoon 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 afternoon 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 Holbe's insurance. Holbe 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 any way 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 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 Holbe & Harry Ansley down there. He got Holbe'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 buck wheat. 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 he 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 out 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 with in five loads 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 afternoon. Carl. Coleman was in for a little while this morning to see if Tupper was here, he was going up to Stockers 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}.

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 member 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 a cross. 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 afternoon to get it. He told us that Jim Bannister has sold his place for $6000. Dick left this afternoon 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 afternoon 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 break down, 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 some more 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 Lacy 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 bee 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 the lawn and set out a little castor 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 shore 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 afternoon. 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 any thing 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 some one 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 shot gun and started out in pursuit. We saw them flying around in the vicinity of the corn field but they were not with in 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 bed springs. 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.