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Diary. 1918

T.B.Barrett

Port Dover, Ontario

Knockfierna

From January 1st 1918 to December 31st 1918

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Tuesday January 1st 1918

About the first thing I did to Celebrate the New Year was to go to bed, all the rest of the family had retired at different times during the last evening of the old year but Enah & I had printed three dozen pictures newest of which we intend to send to Dick for his birthday and I was till nearly midnight getting the last of them washed. To-day Frank and I have just done chores and sat around the house. Tupper was in for an hour or more this morning and I gave him my note for the heifer we bought from him. Aunty Alice came over to dinner but went down again soon after. Aunty came over to tea and stayed all night. Enah, Frank and I all went down to the dance in the hall to-night given by the O.D.E. I took Win & Frank got Dess to go with him. We found an enormous crowd at the hall gathering from the four corners of the county waiting impatiently for the music to start for an old time dance as was advertised. At last about an hour late a young duck from Simcoe came in and sat down at the piano. When it was discovered that he represented the entire orchestra and that there were no fiddlers there were marked signs of anger in the crowd, and by the time one or two one steps had been danced by about half a dozen couples, the sons of the soil well just about

foaming at the mouth, however after Art Ryerse went out and demanded (from poor Dr. Cook who had locked himself in the council chamber and was taking Art's denunciations through the wicket) proper music for square dances or their money back, they managed to skirmish up a fiddle and some fiddlers and callers-off and everybody got their fill of old fasioned dances. We quit about half past two. It is still very cold.

Wednesday January 2nd

Frank and I haven't done any thing else but chores to-day and cut enough wood for to-night. I pasted some snap shots in an album to send to Dick for his birthday. To-night I went down town and met Marj. who came back from Haliburton to-night. She left there at six o'clock this morning and it was nearly ten when she got in to-night so she was just about all in. She says it has been down to 5 below zero up there since she went home. I got a pair of rubbers at {name} to-night for Frank and me to give Aunty for her birthday. I also went over to the James and got some wallnuts to put in the box Dad and Enah are getting ready to send to Dick on his birthday. Aunty Alice sent over some dough nuts to put in it. It has been very cold all day with quite a wind from the north.

Thursday January 3rd

This being Aunty's birthday Dad Enah & the baby went down there to dinner and to spend the after noon. Frank went down in the morning and took down some pigeons to Hec. Henderson He has spent the last few evenings catching them. He also got an axe handle to replace the one I broke yester day. We did chores and he worked quite awhile trying to put in the new axe handle but didn't suceed very well I sat around and read quite a bit of the time. We started rather late to cut off a big block from the butt of the old oak but chore time overtook us before we finished so will have to finish it to-morrow. It is still down around zero but not so windy.

Friday January 4th

I have done nothing else but chores to-day except sit around and write to Douglas and send him a checque to pay off my note. Frank went down to the Law's to thrash this after noon and didn't get back till about nine o'clock to-night. His delay was caused more from visiting than working though. Dad did his chores up and it didn't seem to hurt his finger so it must be a lot better. He went down town for awhile to-night to see Aunty & Aunty Alice. It has been very much milder to-day and it looked like snow. There was no wind and we had to pump for the cattle

Saturday January 5th

The principal event of to-day was the arrival of a calf (red bull) of which Frank's heifer is the mother. Dad found it when he first went out this morning and it was covered with white frost and very cold but he got it rubbed dry and covered it up so that by noon it was quite frisky. Dad went over to John Wess's just before dinner and was there most of the after noon. Frank went down to the mill for some feed and I spent most of the day when I wasn't doing other chores, pumping water and sleigh riding with the baby; Enah took a couple of snap shots of us at this job. Frank went down town tonight. It has been a beautiful sunny day with no wind. It was quite hot around noon being 22° above zero.

Sunday January 6th

Enah and I walked down to church this morning and just about froze. Enah had to leave she was so cold. The temperature of the church was not much above freezing and we had communion and the King's proclamation regarding prayer for peace read. I went down again this after noon and stayed to tea at Miss Kerney's. Dad said it wouldn't hurt the cows to go without milking to-night. Much milder with an ice storm.

Monday January 7th

It snowed quite a little bit during the night and as it came on top of the ice of yester day's storm it made good sleighing. It has been very soft all day and has been flurrying snow most of the day. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's and borrowed his hog crate and this after noon loaded one of the young sows and took her down to Colemand {surname?} boar but she was not ready for him so we had to bring her back. I spent about an hour this afternoon taking some pictures of the ice coated trees which are very pretty to-day. It was a very dull day and I took short time exposures so don't know how they will turn out. Dad, Enah and I sat up till nearly twelve to-night singing, playing & reading. I received a couple of sample copy's of "The Breeder's Gazette" to-day. It looks like a great magazine.

Tuesday January 8th

We got up at six o'clock this morning and got most of the morning chores done up early so that we were able to get down to the first meeting of the Short Course in Agriculture in good time. Dad's finger is so much better that he can do the noon chores we that we stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. We had a good turn out at the

Course there being about 18 {?}, and all showed a good interest in the lectures Neff gave us on Soils & Fertilizers and Insect Pests. We got home in plenty of time to do up the night chores. Enah was rather upset by news she got from Courtright today saying that Jean James was married having done the trick on the sly. Colder.

Wednesday January 9th

Frank and I went down to the Course this morning and we had a young fellow from Cayuga up to give us a talk on Cultivation but he wasn't much account. Neff also took up Fruit Growing. The fellow from Cayuga said they were to have started a Short Course down there yester day but all the boys were afraid to leave the farm for fear of being drafted so he said. The tribunals exempted them on condition that they would not go off the farm for more than three days. This after noon the class went up to Ham Thompson's to judge poultry but as I found out from Huby that Jack Ivey had a car of coal in and that we could get a ton if we came after it right away I came home and Dad and I went down and got a ton. We were very lucky to get it as the car was nearly empty and there is no betting when there will be any more in and we were just out. To-night Frank and I went down to Aunty's for tea where Win, {Lilu?}, Dess and Marj. were also assembled so we had a very pleasant evening. Not so cold but rather blustery to-day.

Thursday January 10th

Frank and I were down at the Short Course all day. This after noon we tested whole milk for butter fat. I took down a Sample of Elgitha's milk and it tested 3.3% which Neff said wasn't bad. I only took the milk from her front quarters and didn't get to the strippings which would make it go higher. I got my film from Billy Gordon to-day and to-night Enah and I printed pictures. The ones I took of the ice covered trees were pretty good. Not cold rather windy. Dad sepurated the new calf from his mother today.

Friday January 11th

Frank and I went down to school this morning and had Feeds & Feeding and Bacteriology and this after noon most of the class came over here to judge our sheep. Tupper's & {Stau?} Lowrie's law suit came off this after noon and Frank heard when he was down to-night that Tupper lost his suit and {Stau?} got $6.00. Frank went down to the Red Cross dance to-night

Saturday January 12th

When Frank came home from the dance about four o'clock this morning he said that it had been raining but was then snowing a nice steady storm. Big flakes coming right straight down and barely freezing. So when we got up about seven I was very surprised to see a terrific blizzard raging and on going out to find the thermometer registering zero. It has kept it up all day and has kept getting colder. To-night it was 10° below zero. We have done nothing whatever outside today except hike from the house to the barn & back again two or three times and all we did in the barn was to feed the stock and milk. We were out of hay in the old barn so all we could give the cows was straw and they got no water all day. It was out of the question to try to get hay over to them. Dad went down town this morning to see if they were alive down home and he could hardly manage to get through Jack's field. The gas was very poor down at Aunty's and Mr. & Mrs. Millman had come the night before. Mr. Millman wanted to go to Simcoe on business but the radial car only got about two miles up the track and had to work its way back and stay back and the Grand Trunk trains except the {?} Woodstock, it got as far as Norich this morning didn't attempt to go out at all. Frank and I just sat around the stove and read most of the day and this after noon I made a list of all our bulletins and reports issued by the two departments of Agriculture Dominion & Provincial. We had a dandy coal fire all day, the stove was red hot part of the time but we could see our breath right over it and it was freezing all day in our room. There are little snow drifts all over the house as the snow is so fine it blows in the smallest cracks and there are lots of cracks in this house that aren't microscopic in size. The snow blew in between the base board & the floor in the kitchen even after Dad had plugged it up as well as he could with rags and it didn't melt all day although it wasn't six feet away from the stove. Nice day but windy.

Sunday January 13th

We didn't get up till eight o'clock this morning and found the storm had not abated in the least although the thermometer was up to zero. I went out to the barn and found the door had blown open between the calves pen & the barn floor and the calves especially Daisy May's were covered with snow which the heat

of their bodies had melted and then it had frozen again so I was about half an hour scrubbing them off dry. After break fast which we had about ten o'clock I got ready and went down to Aunty's getting there about noon. The gas down there was poor but the house was fairly comfortable. Mr. Millman was still in bed but Mrs. Millman had just got up and had dinner with us. They nearly froze in the night and Mr. Millman got up and wrapped Aunty Alice's sweater around his head. After dinner I went up to see Marj. but came back to Aunty's to tea. Huby was there and decided he'd stay to tea as he didn't think he would get any thing to eat at home on account of the poor fires. I didn't see any body that was at church this morning but I went up to-night but found there was no church so went over and spent the evening at the Moore's. I stayed all night at Aunty's so I would be able to shovel their snow in the morning. It moderated considerably by night.

Monday January 14th

I got up fairly early this morning and shovelled Aunty's snow and then had my break fast down there so got home about half past eight, but Dick was finished milking. We spent most of the morning shovelling through various snow drifts and Dad shovelled it out of the wood shed. We had quite a job shovelling the lane out but got it done by noon. This after noon Frank went down to the mill with some grist and Tom was in for awhile on his way after cream. I cleaned out the calf pen and Dad split up some wood. To-night Frank and I went down to see "Frecles" at the picture show but the films are storm bound some place so they put on the Saturday night show which was very poor. Mr. Millman went to Simcoe to-day as the radial got running by one o'clock but there hasn't been a G.T.R. Train moving in or out of here all day so he came back to Dover tonight and he & Mrs. Millman will go by electric car to Brantford tomorrow and get through to Toronto from there. We were sure there would be no classes today so didn't go down. Neff couldn't get down till this after noon from Simcoe and none of the boys could get in from far out in the country. They said Lloyd Ryerse was up here to dinner yester day so he was visiting the neighbors to see how they survived the storm and he told them that that Harry Dyer and old Mr. Mead nearly perished in the storm Saturday night. They had been out working at the inside of Farr's new house and he was driving them in at night but after his horse

had gone down a couple of times they decided that they couldn't get through our cut on the side road with the rig so Farr let them out to walk in and he went back. They got up the hill some way but before they got to the corner old Mead said he would have quit as he couldn't stand the storm any longer, however Harry encouraged to renewed efforts by telling him they were not far from Pickford's and they eventually got there where the spent the night but Harry's face was frozen and Mr. Mead all in.

Tuesday January 15th

Frank and I went down to the class this morning and found our instructors there but very few students none from very far out as most of the roads & cuts were just shovelled out by to-day. Mr. Will from Toronto was here all day lecturing on bees and he made things very interesting even for one who was not particularly interested in agriculture. Mr. & Mrs. Millman left at eleven for Brantford but there are no G.T.R. Trains running yet, here. The radial is running pretty well and brings in the Toronto papers but no mail. They say this is the worst storm in fifty years but I think the cold counts in on that. It is still cold & blustery.

Wednesday January 16th

We had Dr. Reid from Georgetown down at the class to-day giving us talks on veterinary work and horse breeding, he was very good. Neff gave us a little talk on field crops and young Martin on poultry but he is no good for a talker although he does his best and is always apologizing and wishing he could make things clearer. I guess we don't make things any easier for him. Young Will Sidway and I sit next to each other and invariably get laughing at some things though not intending to upset poor Mr. Martin. I am afraid it has that effect. Two engines with two cabooses and a snow plow came in on the Hamilton track about noon and Dave Turner went out at 4:30 with the mail train but the Woodstock track is still blocked. Still blustery and pretty cold: Karl Colman & Val. Leary are getting ahead of Cliff Lees who wants to soak them $600.00 for cutting ice off the pond, by taking it off the creek, just below Colman's point.

Thursday January 17th

Frank and I went down to the class this morning and Mr. Gurdhouse of Weston was there and gave us the morning on Beef Cattle and Sheep but he had to leave at noon.

and as the Woodhouse Council met this after noon we had to give up the council chamber to them and had no class. Frank came home to dinner to tell Dad how matters stood as he had all the chores done up ready to come down this after noon and hear Gardhouse. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went up this after noon to have Dr. Lemons fix my tooth but as he couldn't tend to it till four o'clock I went with Aunty over to see Miss Battersby and up to see Cousin Loll, then up to Bill's. He just put a temporary filling in. When I went down to Aunty's I found Dad. there and we came home to-gether To-night. Frank went down to see Tom Mark's show and I went over to Mrs. Battersby's to take her the picture of her house and trees with the ice on them. We got our mail for the first time to-day since last Friday, but the Woodstock road is not open yet and everyone down town is predicting a storm to strike here about to-morrow which will put this last one in the shade. They say the station agents have received wires warning them to be ready for it. It was yester day supposed to be sweeping Chicago.

Friday January 18th

Frank and I have been down at the class all day as Mr. Duke was supposed to be here to day to address us on Hogs but he didn't show up. We had insect pests and bee's this morning and this after noon tested cream and chose up sides for a debate next Friday. Corby, young Butler and I have to take the affirmative of the resolution that the Present war will prove a benefit to humanity and Clarence Finch, Ham Thompson & young Challand are to take the negative. I don't know beans about the subject but suppose I can think up something by that time. To-night Marj, Miss Kerney & I went to see "Freckles" at the picture show, he got through at last and was only on for to-night. We went to the first show but the place was packed to the doors so we went back and waited till the second show then I went in after the show and had some tea & cake so it was rather late when I got home. It has been a beautiful day but colder to-night.

Saturday January 19th

We didn't do much this morning but got the lane cleared out enough for Frank to get through with the bob-sleigh and go down to the mill and get the chop he left down there the other day. I went down to Aunty's to dinner and this after noon went to Simcoe on the car

to hear what Mr. Hart from Toronto had to say about forming a Norfolk Cooperative Association for buying farm supplies and marketing farm products. It looks as if it would be organized alright. I came home at five o'clock on what was really the 3 o'clock car...There was a bad storm on at noon and it was cold, so that the cars were all late but it had quieted down a lot by this after noon. We had a concert tonight piano & horn.

Sunday January 20th

I walked down to church this morning and Aunty walked back with me to dinner, this after noon I went back down town soon after dinner, spent the after noon over at Mrs. McQueen's with Marj. and had a tea at Aunty's. Huby was there to tea also. Aunty and I went to church after tea, church being held in the Sunday school both services, and Marj. and I walked home with Aunty and spent the evening laughing at Huby's stories. Huby had his dog down there and she made as if she would eat Marj. up when she first came in that tickled Huby to see her show some spirit. Mr. James, Eloas & Brant Bloodsworth and Lila were all over here this afternoon and Dad drove them all home before tea in the bob sleigh. It has been a lovely day & fine night. Clear & frosty but sunny & not much wind.

Monday January 21st

Frank and I went down to the short Course today and had a good day but no special speakers. Dad, Enah and the baby drove down this after noon to post a couple of letters for Tom but didn't stay. Huby came over to tea to-night and brought over a couple of pairs of army boots one pair that Quint had left & one pair that Jackson from Turkey Point who has been discharged, had given him. The principal object of this visit was to tell Dad that Stringer the gas-man was down today and wants to make arrangements to lease his farm and to drill for gas right away. Sunny & Cold.

Tuesday January 22nd

Frank and I have been at school all day. Mr. Kydd, formerly of Simcoe and now in the Government employ was here all day lecturing us on fruit growing and was interesting and entertaining. The Domestic Science Course started to-day and Neff said there were about fifty women up there this after noon. To-night I went down to see Marj. and see if I could arrange to go to Simcoe for a skate but she thought we had better put it off till next week. It has not been quite so cold to-day.

Wednesday January 23rd

Frank and I went down to school this morning and we had Mr. Stevenson of Ancaster lecturing us on Dairy Cattle this morning and this after noon the whole bunch of us went up to Simcoe on the car to see Mr. Alex Wallace's (the would be M.P.) herd of holstein and have Mr. Stevenson demonstrate the points of dairy cattle to us and we had a judging class in which I picked out the winner but didn't hit the second prize right. We had a very good time. To-night I am going down to stay all night at Aunty's as she expects to leave for Toronto in the morning and Aunt Ida is going to Port Rowan for a visit. Cold & Cloudy but {milder?} to-night.

Thursday January 24th

We got up fairly early this morning and I went down to the station and saw Aunty safely on her train for Toronto. I then went up and remined Al. Faulkner to call for Aunt Ida in time for her to catch the nine o'clock car which he did. Aunty Alice went up to Simcoe with Aunt Ida and put her in the hands of Mrs. {name} Bowlby who saw her safely on the Pt. Rowan train. Aunty Alice came back on the eleven. Dad and Frank brought old Sheild's down to Colman's this morning and sold him for 8 cts a lb which was dirt cheap but the best we could do. He weighed 214 lbs. I spent all morning down in the library writing up my debate. This after noon we had skim milk testing and drainage. Aunty Alice spent the night up at Cousin Loll's. It has been very mild all day but snowing.

Friday January 25th

We both went to school this morning and had Mr. Rush from Toronto lecturing us on market gardening. He was interesting soley on account of his being well {?} by experience on his subject as there was vast room for improvement in his language & other oratorical attributes. He spent the morning and for an hour after dinner with us and then went up stairs to talk to the girls. When he left our debate came off. Corby, Butler and I were against Challand, Tige McBride and Clarence Finch, we had to up hold the affirmative of the resolution "That the present war will prove a benefit to civilization." and according to the judges who were Lorne Myers, Sheppard and Cruick shanks, we had the best of the argument. We were limited to ten minutes to speak and consequently after I had tried to refute all my opponents statements, I only

got away with about half of what I had prepared which was very annoying. Neff was chairman and Martin was critic. I went up to Bill's to-night to have my tooth fixed but he said it wasn't ready yet. Aunty Alice came over here with me to stay all night. To-night Frank went down to another dance in the hall. Mild all day but colder to night.

Saturday January 26th

Aunty Alice went back home right after breakfast this morning and wouldn't hear to any of us driving her down. I spent the morning cleaning out the chicken house and putting fresh straw in and went down and had dinner with Aunty Alice and then went to Simcoe again on the one o'clock car to take in another meeting of the "Norfolk County Co operative Association" which I joined by signing a note for $100.00 payable on demand but which will not have to be paid unless the Company breaks as it is just for the purpose of establishing credit at the bank. I left the meeting before it was over to catch the five car so wasn't able to vote on the directors. Before I went to the meeting I went up to the rink where I ran into a half a dozen kids who begged me to play hockey with them for an hour or so as they supplied the skates and stick I did for a little while and had quite a lot of fun. Stringer the gas man was in town to-day and Dad went down to Huby's office to meet him and made arrangements with him to lease the farm for them to drill for gas next summer. Frank went down town to-night and will likely stay with Aunty Alice to-night. It has been pretty cold all day.

Sunday January 27th

Frank didn't come home last night but stayed down with Aunty Alice and went to sunday school and church and as I didn't get up till half past seven we didn't get through chores in time for me to get to church. Dess came over with Frank to dinner and Aunty Alice came over soon after them. I went down town right after dinner and spent the afternoon noon up at the Moore's. Aunty Alice came back down town before tea so I went down there for tea and then went to church which was held in the Sunday school and where I nearly froze. After church Marj. and I went over to post a couple of letters and ran into the J. Gordon Patterson's and Mrs. Pary so we went down with them to Pat's and spent the evening. I went down to Aunty Alice's to change my boots before I went home and she had gone up to Cousin Loll's to spend the night but left the house so that I could get in. Cold east wind to day.

Monday January 28th

Frank has been at school all day but I didn't go down, I stayed home this morning to help Dad take one of our young sows down to {surname?} and then at noon I decided I wouldn't bother going down. I went down to-night and Marj. and I went to the picture show to see "The Whip" and it was very good. It was a very rough morning with an east wind and sleet but got milder this afternoon noon and almost rained although it didn't go above zero. Trains are all late again.

Tuesday January 29th

Frank and I stayed home this morning intending to haul ice but when we went down, we found that they weren't cutting as the water had backed up on the creek so we came home and told Dad. and he thought we had better go down and get a load of coke, as they have a car of it in and don't know when they will have any coal in. We got a load but could only put on 1300 lbs as it is light stuff. It burns quicker than coal and makes a hot fire. Dad. went down with us to see Jim Bannister's old mare and Jim brought him back. Jim was going around with yester day's mail as he didn't get any farther than Evan's yester day and there was no mail in on the Hamilton road to-day. This after noon Frank and I went down to the class but they all came over to Martin's to pick and judge chickens. so I shovelled Aunty Alice's snow and came right back. Milder this afternoon noon & cloudy.

Wednesday January 30th

Frank and I went down to haul ice this morning and we got one load but they told us not to come after any more till to-morrow as Val. was filling cars and was afraid he wouldn't have enough, so this after noon we went down to the class. We had a little work on fruit growing and then formed a club to be known as the Junior Farmer's Improvement Association which is quite a large organization through out the province. They put me in as president and Frank secretary-treasurer. I stayed down to tea at Aunty Alice's and to-night Marj. and I went up to Simcoe for a skate. There was a big crowd at the rink as it was a special event put on by the Presbyterians. We had a good time as there were several up there we knew Belle Symington and Bill {surname?} went up from here and we saw Clara Hoag, Neff, Martin, and others up there I have a brute of a cold. 10° below zero this morning. Nice day.

Thursday January 31st

Aunty Alice got up about half past five this morning and got my breakfast. I stayed down there all night as I felt so tough with my cold. I got home about half past six before any of the family were up. Frank and I hauled ice all day and got five loads and as Alan hauled one for us last night one more that would have been for we only need one more to make our eight loads but when we went down after it to-night the men had quite working and the tools were all locked up. They don't work after five. We got four of our loads out of the creek back of the vinegar works where Val. was cutting yester day and where he had all the ice that was cut out of the hole. He thought there would be enough there for us and so there would but Monty Burke's men got two loads from there so Frank and I had to go down to the harbour where they are cutting to fill Holly Ainsley's ice house for our last load. The ice down there is the first cutting and twenty six inches thick so we could only haul six cakes to the load. but we can cut it in two and make nice sized cakes of it. It is all fine ice. Dad. had to pump all the water for the stock to-day as the bolt broke in the wind mill. Cold all day but nice & sunny.

Friday February 1st

Frank stayed at Aunty Alice's last night and went to Simcoe on the seven car to see Russ Lampkins about getting a new bolt for the windmill. He found Russ had moved to Lynn Valley but he ordered the bolt from his successor in business. Frank came back on the nine car but went right up to school. I went down this morning and hauled our last load of ice, and brought it home & just left it in the sleigh box. We have three loads out side now which we will have to put in the ice house. This after noon I went down to the school and found the boys & the girls of the Domestic Class in a great commotion getting ready for the wind-up banquet and dance to-night. Tige McBride sent me over to borrow the {I.O.D.C.?} boiler to make coffee in and when I got back Corby and I went down to the picture show where we found Neff and most of the boys practising yells and songs for to-night. When we went back to the hall we moved the piano up stairs to the Red Cross room which was to be the banquet hall, and the rest of the after noon was spent in preparing. I went up to Dr. Lemon's about four o-clock and then home but didn't do any chores, just changed my

Collar and shirt and hiked back again. Neff had informed me that as I was president of the J.F.I.A.I would be expected to make a reply to the toast to Agriculture; this news rather took my breath away as I had no idea what to say and had to put in the remainder of the after noon thinking up something polish to say. Enah came down to the banquet with Frank and it went off in fine shape. Mr. Johnson was Chairman and Messers. Barwell, {Bond?}, Jack Martin proposed toasts to Our Country, The Ladies, and Agriculture respectively and I got my speech off with out fainting. and different ones said it was allright. The dance started about five o'clock and and kept up all night. It was well sprinkled with square dances and the orchestra consisted of Harry {Nivon?}, Tom Schram & Mrs. Frank Slocomb. Enah and I stayed till about two o'clock and then came home and wished we had come before. Very cold but sunny.

Saturday February 2nd

I didn't get up very early this morning and have done nothing but chores all morning, Frank got home about noon, he had stayed at the hall all night. and helped clear things up after the dance, so he didn't go to bed at all. Dad. and I split up the big cakes of ice by sawing them half way through with the cross cut saw and splitting them with the wedge. This after noon Frank and I drove down town with Belle & Queen. We went around by the mill and got some flour & hog feed and got Jack Martin's hog rack on our way back to ship the hogs in on Monday. We all went to bed early to-night. It has been sunny all day but is still down around zero.

Sunday February 3rd

We didn't get up in time to get to church this morning, but I took Elva's cream down this morning and told Aunty Alice to wait for Dad. to drive her over. As it was quite stormy Dad. drove over to Tupper's this morning in the bob sleigh to borrow his scales and hog crate as he was afraid the road would be too drifted by to-morrow. When he got home he drove down and got Aunty Alice and Marj. whom I had brought down from church and who came over here to dinner with us. Frank drove us all back down town about foure o'clock. Enah went down with us as she wanted to practice a duet with Elva to play at the church concert on Tuesday night.

While Frank was waiting for Enah he took Marj. and me for a sleigh ride. We started up the Radical road and were just passing Symington's when Woodyer & Bill Gutcher came out, & piled in the sleigh. Belle saw them get in so yelled at us to wait and she & Bill Barron joined the party so we went up as far as George Eagle's in the teeth of a raging snow storm but we kept warm by laughing at Woodyer's crazy actions, His hat flew off twice and when he was getting back into the sleigh after rescuing it he turned a somersault into the box. The second time he lost it Frank kept right on driving when Woodyer got out and made him run about 10 rods to catch us. When we got back to town Frank went around and got Enah and I went down to Aunty Alice's to tea, she and I went to church to-night and after church Marj. and I went up to see Miss Martin but she wasn't home so we came back to Uncle Hughie's. I stayed all night with Aunty Alice. Very stormy but much milder 20° above.

Monday February 4th

Aunty Alice got me up about half past six this morning and got my break fast. I went up to Hecs on my way home to see if Neil was gong to ship hogs as we were afraid yester day's storm might have blocked the trains, but as both trains went out this morning. Hec. said they would ship. So I came home and we weighed our two hogs and put one in each crate, one weighed 217 and the other 232 lbs according to our weight but all Clare Deal could make it was 435. they gave us 17 1/4 cts which brought the check up to $75.04 which wasn't so bad for two pigs. Niel wasn't around him self and we had to leave the poor pigs in the open yard where it was perishingly cold and I don't know how long they would have to stay there as Huby told us Dave Turner's train didn't get any further out that the cheese factory this morning and there has been no mail in to-day. The drifts are so high now in places along the track as there has been no thaw for over a month that the least little blizzard blocks things up. When we got home we weighed the five ram lambs and the old ram, he only weighed about 140 lbs and the biggest of the lambs weighed 117 lbs. Dad. went down town this after noon and had tea with Aunty Alice and to-night went up town to meet Stringer and got the gas lease fixed up. It has been very cold this afternoon.

Tuesday February 5th

It was 26° below zero by our thermometer when we went out this morning and has been below zero all day with a cold wind. I have scarcely done any thing all day. Dad. and Frank did most of the chores, this after noon Frank and I took Tupper's scales and hog crate home, he wasn't home but we put the things away where Dad said he got them I nearly perished coming home and only kept from freezing by getting behind Frank who had Dad's fur coat on. I just sat around the house when I got home. Frank went down to the mill and took Enah down town, but she stayed down to tea as she had to play at the show to-night. for Kelly who the church has got here. I was to have gone down and go to the concert with Aunty Alice but I hated the idea of going out after tea so gave my ticket to Frank. He went down but Aunty Alice didn't go as Harry Ainsley was worse again. he had five attacks yester day. Dad. and Frank did all the chores to-night an I got tea ready. I read and slept all evening.

Wednesday February 6th

Dad. Frank and I put the ice in the ice house this morning, which took us all the fore noon. This after noon we did up the chores and then hooked old Dave up. We put him on the bob sleigh with Harry and took him around the block. He went fine and was very good while we were hooking him up and un hooking him. Sam Law was in for quite awhile this after noon and settled up with Dad. for thrashing. To-night Frank and I went down to a meeting of our club but didn't do much. Mr. Groff was down from Simcoe to explain the advantages of the Co-operative society but there weren't many there. however a few more gave their notes. We drove down and it was pretty dark but we got along alright till just as we turned in the lane, when when runner got up on the snow bank and the side of the track and up set the cutter dumped both of us out and then Joe ran up the lane with the cutter on its side past the dive house and wound up in a drift by the wind mill, she couldn't go any farther for the farmyard fence. I expected to find the cutter and harness all smashed to pieces but except for the back-hand being broken every thing was sound. It has been thawing all day. First for a month

Thursday February 7th

We hooked Dave and Harry up again this morning and drove down town. Dave behaved very well. We saw Aunty Alice who said she couldn't get over till Cousin Willie was better as Cousin Loll wanted her to stay with them. This after noon Frank and I put the saw dust back in the ice house. We left Pommers for an hour in the box stall this morning with the surcingle and bridle on him. To-night I went down town and spent the evening with Marj. She was packing candy cigarettels and socks to send to {Stiffy Wasren?}. Lovely day, thawing in the sun but about 20° above in {shade?}

Friday February 8th

After we got the chores done up this morning we hooked Dave and Harry up again and Frank & I drove them around the block past John Wesses. After dinner Dad. put the surcingle on Pommers and Dad. put a hobble on him with a rope to pull up his front foot if he made any lunges. I took the lines and Dad took the hobble rope and Frank opened the drive house door. Pommers just made it about two jumps across the lane and got his front foot over the little wire fence then wheeled around and plunged through the snow drifts up to the wind-mill. we couldn't hold him any more than we could a steam engine and Dad's rope didn't seem to stop him so we had to let him go. He tore around for a few minutes but we caught him at last up in the corner of the pig pen & orchard fence. Dad. then put a halter on him and he took it while Frank and I each took a line - and in the course of about fifteen minutes we managed to get him back to the stable with out him getting away. When we put him in Frank and I hooked up Harry & Bell and started to clean out the box stall which hasn't been cleaned out all winter, we hauled out three good loads to the old garden and left about one load still to be cleaned out. Jack Lawrie & RalfWaddle came over to have Dad. look at Jack's old mare and when they left Dad. Enah and the baby drove down town. Frank went down to a dance to-night which Merrit & Charlie {Lony?} are running. I felt pretty rotten with a cold & cough. We all feel pretty tough.

Saturday February 9th

I felt rather tough to-day with my cold so didn't do

much all day. this morning I wrote to Neff and to Aunty. Frank didn't get home from the dance till about eight o'clock as it rained in the night and they didn't break it up till day light on account of the roads being so bad, so he didn't feel very lively all day and seized every opportunity for snoozing. This after noon we hooked Pommers up again or at least put the harness on him and took him out with out his getting away Dad. put a rope on him with a string under his chin fastend to his halter bit rings, and Dad & Frank took the rope and I took the lines. Lila came over this afternoon noon and Dad. went back with her and they had tea at Aunty Alice's. Lila stayed there all night. I went to bed early as my cold felt pretty bad and Enah made me soak my feet in hot water & mustard and drink hot black currant water. It has been thawing all day and a nice day.

Sunday February 10th

I got a note from Marj. yesterday asking me to come down to {Nauticoke?} for her to-day if I could. as her cousin had come up for her Friday and invited me down to dinner to-day, so as two of Joe's shoes are off I took Queen and left here about half past ten. I made very good time as the folks were just going into church when I went through {Nauticoke?}, but I found out afterwards they were fifteen or twenty minutes late. When I got to the Banfields I found they had all gone to church but Mrs. Banfield and Cal. Howden the hired man (?.) He is one of one of {Ascar's?} kids and is about as big as a skinned minute.). The rest got home about about an hour after I arrived, Besides Mr. & Mrs. Warrie Banfield, Mr. & Mrs. Dick Doughty and Marj. came. Marj. has been staying over there till to-day. We had a very enjoy able time. all interest being centred on the Banfield baby which Cal. informed me would soon be a year old and is a comical little thing. Marj. and I left for home about half past three and came straight here as Dad. told me that he was going to take Aunty Alice & Lila down in the bob-sleighs and would take Marj. and me too which would save me having to to bring Queen back from town and then probably walking back again. We got here about five and they were just leaving but Enah invited Marj. to stay to tea which she did. so we didn't go down with them. I had the milking done when Dad. got back. Marj. and I walked down about nine o'clock. Quite mild but cold wind.

Monday February 11th

This morning Frank and I finished cleaning out the box stall in one big load. When we got back Dad. put the harness on Pommers and we took him down to the corner. he behaved very well but would have got away once or twice if Dad. hadn't had the rope in his halter. Aunty Alice walked over to dinner and this after noon she and Enah went calling down to the Ryerse's and Pickford's. Frank took them down in the sleighs and left them there an hour and then went after them. Aunty Alice was very anxious to get back as Cousin Loll had sent over a note in the mail saying Harry Ainsley was very weak. Frank drove them right down town so that Enah could find out how he was and she said he was about the same. Alfred came up and got Dad. to go down with him to look at one of his pigs. which is in bad shape owing to the cold weather. I spent the after noon cutting the tops off some of the high apple-trees according to the instructions given us at the Short Course by by Mr. Kydd. Sunny with fresh thawing breeze. It has thawed a lot to-day and water is standing over every thing. It is still soft to-night. We intend to butcher our hog to-morrow

Tuesday February 12th

It rained hard last night and has been very soft all day. It was cloudy all morning rained quite hard at noon and early this after noon then came out sunny and a fresh breeze but mild. On account of the weather we had to post pone our butchering operations. and have just done odd jobs. I cleaned off the dropping board in the hen house this morning as it has been frozen too hard all winter and then went out to see if I could let some water off the wheat as it was backed up by the snow. Then I started to scrape some of the apple trees. Dad. & Frank changed the stroke of the wind mill again and put in the longest one. This after noon we cleaned out the box in the barn so that we could put my heifer in when she calves. I went up to Ham Thompson's to ask him what time our meeting on Saturday was to be. and was up there quite awhile looking at the stock. Charlie Quanbury went out to the farm this morning with a load of manure but got stuck on the hill and left his load in the road. The snow is all under mined & honey combed with water and the team went right down to their bellies Charlie had a hard time getting them loose.

Wednesday February 13th

We spent most of the morning getting things ready for and butchering our pig, and got it all done by noon. Dad. got a very nice stick and scale on her and she dressed a dandy. Charlie Munroe came in just as we started to scald so he helped us during the dressing operations. He walked over to get Dad. to look at one of his horses which has a bad cold so Dad. went back with him to dinner. This afternoon noon I got ready and went down town to have my tooth fixed but as it was after four when I got there Bill said I had better come early to-morrow after noon. I stayed at Aunty Alices to tea and went to church to-night this being Ash Wednesday. Marj. had proposed going up to Miss Martin's to-night but as she. Marj.. had a sore throat we didn't go & I called for Aunty Alice at Cousin Loll's and stayed down at Aunty's all night. We had a letter to-day from a man in {place?} inquiring about the prices of ram lambs, he having seen in the report of the Co-operative wool sales that we had the highest percentage of our wool in the highest grade of any one in Ontario. It has not been thawing all day but has been quite mild and cloudy. There came nearly being bad {frost?}

Thursday February 14th

I came home about nine o'clock this morning but as I had to go right back after dinner I didn't change my clothes. I wrote to Mr. Bent the man who inquired about the rams. and I also measured the lawn and flower beds as I had a letter from Mr. Tomlinson saying he has mis laid my first sketch and if I would send another he would be sure to send me a blue print. I went down town Aunty Alices for dinner and went up to Bills right after. He filled my tooth and found a hole in another one He couldn't finish the job right away so I went back at four o'clock, when he finished the job for which I paid him $1.50. While I was there the last time Karl Lemons came in and said the Penman's dam had gone out and the bridge had dropped at one end. I went down to Aunty Alice's and got my rubber boots on and she and Lila went down with me to see the wreck. It was a bad mess. The road at the north end of the bridge had caved in as the water has been leaking through the buttment of the dam all winter and washed a big hole out under the road. Then the big head of water coming from the last few day's thaw took the top of the north end

of the dam out which was loosened by the bridge dropping down on the buttment and buckeing it. It would have been a very dangerous proceeding for me to try to go across the bridge but several had gone across on the ice on the pond making quite a detour away from the bridge so I followed their tracks and as I had my rubber boots on didn't get wet. Dad. cut up the pig this morning and I took some of it down to Aunty Alice, Huby and Mr. James. Frank fixed up a feed box for the calf and this after-noon, they moved the ram lambs over to the colony house with old McPherson. It has been sunny and thawing a bit all day. Thunder storm to-night.

Friday February 15th

It was much colder to-day with a strong north west wind. so we didn't do much out side. I started in to clean up the Tommy Jackson harness but didn't get any more than the bridle done but I made the nickel on it shine. This after noon Dad and I took Pommers out and he went like an old horse, we just had him on the line, and Dad. had the rope in his halter but didn't have to tighten on it once. Frank made a rack for the ram's hay this morning and put it in the colony house and this afternoon he went down to a meeting of the Black Creek Creamery patrons and announced our meeting to-morrow thinking he could get more farmer's easier that way than any other He said that they raised Lea Marshall's salary 1/4 cent per pound. and one old fellow kicked very much at it. He didn't think Lea needed it because he kept a hired girl and ran a Ford car. Jim Bannister told Dad at noon that to add to Penman's troubles they had a bad fire down in the mill this morning which did a great deal of damage to the stock; it was caused they say, by a nail getting into the pickers, heating and being blown into the inflamable cotton.

Saturday February 16th

We didn't do much but chores this morning except take Pommers down to the corner again, he is certainly good never made a misstep. Frank and I went down to dinner. at Aunty Alice's and this after noon we went up to a fairly successful meeting of farmers. Neff & Jas E. Johnson manager of the Norfolk Co-operative Assn. were down and explained the working of the Association very clearly and about ten more signed notes. We

were there till nearly five and then I went up and got my hair cut, so it was after six when I got home. I came home by the dam and came across the ice. Frank went around by the mill (the same way we went down) and got home the same time I did but he was delayed by having to go back to the hall after his books and then winding the town clock for George Steele. Johnny Payne was buried to-day and Bob Law died very suddenly this after noon. They said he was well when he fed his teams this morning but lay down on the sofa when he came in and didn't feel like going out again at noon and soon after noon he was dead. News has also just come to town of the death of young Billy Thompson. He had just been moved to New York, they say on a $2000 salary when he took pneumonia and died in a few days. Bright and sunny but freezing hard all morning but snowing hard and milder this after noon.

Sunday February 17th

I walked down to church this morning and as Aunty Alice said she felt as if she was catching cold and didn't feel like walking over to the farm I decided to say and have dinner with her but just as we were about ready to sit down Dad came down with the team and sleigh to take Aunty Alice over for dinner, so we both went. We came back down town about four o'clock and I stopped on the way down town see Mrs. Sinclair and after Mrs. Bell about having a social gathering next week the boys of the J.F.I.A. and the girls of the W.I. meeting to-gether. Mrs. Bell advised me to see Olga Ryerse and offered her house for the occasion. I had tea with Aunty Alice and neither of us went to church but went up right after and she went up to Cousin Loll's for awhile and I went over to see Marj. who had been up with Glad Law all the after noon. I stayed all night at Aunty Alices. It has been cold but sunny all day. Freezing to-night.

Monday February 18th

I came home about nine o'clock this morning and came around by town and got fifty post cards to notify the members of the J.F.I.A. of the meeting here on Thursday night. Frank, Enah and I. spent quite while this morning writing them we sent out twenty five. Jack Walker was over for a little while to see if Enah

{single page list that was probably used to make longer diary entries later}

Jan 9 - Frank went down in the courses - talk on Cultivation. Neff - fruit growing class if H Thompson's judging poultry

Jan 10 - testing milk for % of the fat

Jan 11 Feeds & Feeding Bacteriology afternoon - judging sheep, at Farrs Blizzard Jan 11 & 12. 14 Roads 1 R R all blocked

Jan 15 - course resumed agriculture

Jan 16 - Dr Reed - Test for {?} on vet work & horse breeding, only radial TB & young Will Sidway got laughing

Jan 17 - beef cattle & sheep - no rural maril from Jan 11 - Jan 17 Mr. Mead & Harry Dyer lost in storm & spent night at Pickfords. Frozen faces

Jan 19 - Mr. Hart on forming a Norfork Co oper for buying & marketing in Simcoe.

Jan 22 - Mr. Kydd formerly Simcoe on fruit growing

{continuation of list; written on graph paper}

Jan 22 - womens course started about 50 entered

Jan 23 - Dairy cattle - Mr Stevenson of Ancaster. Afternoon at Alex Wallace's - Holstein very good herd

Jan 24 - preparing for debate This war will be a benefit

jan 25 - Mr Rush on market Gardening

Jan 26 - 2nd meeting re Co op joined & signed note for $100

Jan 29 - picking & judging chick at Martins

Jan 30 - formed a club TB Pres

Feb 1 - very busy preparing for wind up of course - TB responds to toast

Trains still irregular very very cold

would come down and play at Billy Thompson's funeral tomorrow after noon. It will be in the church and they wanted the choir out. This afternoon noon Dad. walked down to Bob. Law's funeral and was gone all the after noon I walked down to see Olga Ryerse as Mrs. Bell suggested and when I got back Frank and I polished harness for a little while. Lloyd Ryerse was in for awhile to-night to see what to do for an old ewe that lambed early and has a caked udder. {Surname's} cow had a pair of twin calves this morning which has caused considerable excitement in the neighborhood. When Dad. went down this after noon they had them in Jack Martin's wash-house where it was hot. The latest news is that Jack Payne has bought Wess Boughner's farm and is putting Lilly {surname} husband on it to raise short horns and Wess Boughner has bought Mrs. Duncan's place. Froze very hard last night. Fine sunny day.

Tuesday February 19th

It started to rain during the night and has rained most of the day so we didn't do any thing much but chores. Dad. and Frank put the pig in pickle this morning. This after noon Dad. and Enah went down to Billy Thompson's funeral as Enah had to play. It was a masonic funeral but Dad. had got no notice so wasn't with the Masons. Frank drove them down in the bob-sleigh although there were some very icy spots on the road. They got home about half past three and brought with them the geese that Enah bargained with Al. Faulkner for before Christmas. I spent most of the after noon reading "Queen Zixi of Ix" to Tid. I finished a good book to night. "The Double Four" by Phillips Oppenheim.

Wednesday February 20th

It turned very cold during the night and has been down to zero with a strong west wind all day. We haven't down any thing much but chores as it has been too cold to work out side with comfort. I wrote a letter to Mr. Bent this morning promising him our best ram lamb next fall as I had a letter from him yesterday day say ing he would be willing to pay $55.00 for it. Tupper was in for a few minutes before noon on his way home from town and Charlie Munroe walked through on his way to the mill. He told Dad. his horse was better but not well yet. This after noon Dad. walked over to John Wesses and took him one of the calendars we got from the Department of Agriculture. He found

John Wess just the same. feels fine as long as he doesn't try to do any thing. Dad. went down to Charlie Munroe's from John Wesses and found his horse had developed distemper with its throat all swelled up, but it is getting on well. I read most of the afternoon and went down to tea to Aunty Alice's. She and I went to church to-night but as the church was very cold and the lights very poor, we only had the war-time litany which lasted only 8 or 10 minutes. I went home with Marj. and stayed all night at Aunty Alices.

Thursday February 21st

I got home about nine o'clock and found the family all huddled around the stove and I was glad to join them. It was down below zero again with a biting north west wind. It has been pretty cold all day but the winds went down towards evening and it has been sunny We didn't do much but chores. Frank and I cleared up a little in the drive house this after noon to make room for any horses that members of the J.F.I.A. Might drive to our meeting to-night. Then Frank rode his wheel down town to get some coffee. Although the roads were. very hard and icy there were ten came to our meeting It was a nice night and the wind had died down. We had a very good meeting and they all seemed enthusiastic about growing a patch of potatoes this summer after we talked over our business they played cards and checkers. Enah dished up some coffee and war bread and Corby & Fred Rolson sang for us. The meeting broke up about twelve. We went out to look at my heifer after the boys left and found her very near calving, so I went to bed with my clothes on. to get up and look at her later.

Friday February 22nd

I got up at four o'clock and went out to look at the heifer but she seemed easy so I went to bed again. Dad. got up at six and went out and she had just dropped her calf then. The calf is a red roan & a bull. She has a very big bag and is alright. We did chores most of the morning and Dad. and Frank went back to the gully and brought up a dozen boards off the cross fence back there to make sheep troughs of. This after noon Frank got three troughs pretty well made. I went down town to telephone Neff to see what night he could come down next week to our social meeting but he was out of town so I went.

down and talked to Huby for awhile and found there was a car of coal in. then I walked down to Corbetts and told Corby to telephone Neff to-night. He & his father were getting up wood off the lake bank which has slid terribly last year. I walked through their place to the creek and went up to the Ryerse's. Olga seems to be having a hard time getting the girls to-gether. I got home about five. Dad. was. getting ready to go down to Aunty Alice's for tea and to meet the train as Aunty came home to-night. He stopped in at Quanbury's on his way down and got Charlie to say he would get us a load of coal in the morning as the roads are to icy for our horses. It has been milder with west wind and snow to-day.

Saturday February 23rd

We got up about six this morning and I was over at {?} by eight o'clock to go down with Charlie and get our coal. Charlie was just at his break fast as it was half an hour before we got started and had to go in the waggon, however the coal wasn't all gone when we got there but was going fast. They were only selling half ton lots to one person. so we took half a load of coal and half coke. Frank was waiting for us at the mill with a couple of bags of feed which he put on the waggon. Charlie didn't charge Dad. any thing for it. This after noon Dad. Enah and the baby walked down to see the dam and went on across and saw Aunty for awhile. She has a cold a {neuralgia?}. The wind was from the south west to-day and it was sunny and quite soft. Frank said he heard crows once. There was a faint touch of spring in the air, which made it feel nice to be alive. Frank finished making the sheep troughs and I for want of some thing to do shingled half of the "Library." I also turned over the hot-bed manure pile.

Sunday February 24th

I walked down to church this morning and Aunty and Aunty Alice walked back with me to dinner. About three o'clock I went back down town. Glad Law went back to Toronto on the 3'o'clock car and Marj. was down to see here off but I didn't get down in time to see Glad. but spent the rest of the after noon with Marj. About five o'clock she went up to Miss Martin's to tea and I went down town Aunty's. Aunty and I went to church and I came back there for awhile after church but didn't stay long. I didn't go home by the dam as there was a lot of water on the ice when I came down, I went home by the mill and met Marj. on her way home.

Monday February 25th

As it was mild and soft and fairly good footing for the horses we decided to move the straw stack in to-day. Dad. and I pitched the top of it off and most of the ice out of it while Frank dug away the big snow bank on the east side of the drive house. And we got one load over to the horse stable before dinner but didn't pitch it off. We put it off right after dinner and got another jag over and off and left the butt of the stack to put in the old barn. We put the waggon back on the old barn floor and while we were at it the colts which were in the barn yard came through the gate we left open and took a good run over the wheat tramping & cutting it up considerably. About four o'clock Dad. and I started up to Ham Thompson's with Dad's heifer. It began to rain just as we left and before we got home was pouring down. It developed into a terrific thunder storm but had stopped before we went to bed, but was cloudy and windy. I got two eggs to-day, the first I have got. Frank has been getting a duck egg daily for the last few days. A strip of paper has blown off the chicken shed roof and this wind will take more off so it looks pretty badly

Tuesday February 26th

There was a very strong west wind this morning and it had turned cold again during the night being about 10° above zero so we didn't do much but chores all day. I wrote a couple of letters this morning one to the Co-Operative Association ordering some clover seed oil cake and seed potatoes and one to the Canadian Sheep Breeders' to see if some arrangement couldn't be made to have Canadian registered sheep transferred to the American Book. Art. and Lloyd Ryerse were up most of the afternoon noon, they wanted to see if we would be willing to put a telephone in. About four Art. and I went down town and Frank & Lloyd went off with Collin, {name?} & young George. Art and I went in to see Patterson about the telephone but from what he said I don't think there is much chance of the Co. putting up a line out our way till the war is over and prices are normal. We went down around by the mill but came home by crossing the creek at Colman's point where the big chunks of ice are frozen in.

Wednesday February 27th

It was cloudy and blustery this morning but not cold but later it came out sunny and nice. We moved what was left of the straw stack into the barn this

morning, then Dad and I took Pommers out on the rein. he went just as well as ever. About noon a peddler came in and asked if he could have his dinner and put his horse in, so he did and turned out to be an old acquaintance of Dad's by the name of "Chinny" Klause, one-time farmer, milk dealer and carpenter on the Round Plains and at present travelling all over the country in the interests of the famous Rundel. Pain King Medicine Co. leaving bottles of None Such Liniments salve "to be paid for next year and collecting money for what was left last year. He seemed to honestly believe that it would do all that the Company claimed for it which was that it would cure any ailment that affects man or beast and can be applied either externally or internally. He and Dad. had quite a visit and he proved to be very entertaining telling of his experiences on the road. and others. He used to be a great pal of Jeff. Langs and told Dad quite a lot of news about them. This after noon Frank went down to Corbetts to get Leigh to telephone all the boys of the J.R.I.A. and tell them about the meeting the Woman's Institute are having and in vited us to. I went down town to-night and came home with Enah who had gone down to tea and church. I was too late for church. We had to walk around by the mill.

Thursday February 28th

We put on a load of hay this morning and took it over to the barn for the cows, but didn't unload it. This after noon Dad. and I drove down town and had Joe shod and Dad also negotiated with old Walker for a loan of another fifty dollars to pay for our supplies from the Norfolk Co-Operative Association. Huby was here when we got home, he had walked over to have Dad. look at his dog, he didn't stay to tea. Frank cleaned out the shop this afternoon. Art & Charlie Quanbury stopped in on their way home from Henry Misner's sale which they said went well and where Art bought Hay rope & slings, to tell us that Tupper was going to thrash in the morning & wanted a man from here. Mild but cloudy & rainy all day.

Friday March 1st

Dad. went thrashing over to Tupper's this morning and was gone all day. They didn't get started till after noon so didn't finish by night. Neither Henry Misner was there with the machine nor Tupper, he had to go to Simcoe. Frank went to the mill this morning and got some chaf. We also went up to the old cherry tree and to some sand to plant seeds in. Mrs. McPherson

was over here to-dinner. This after noon Frank and I put off the load of hay we got. over yester day but didn't do any thing else much but chores. To-night we went down to the Woman's Institute meeting to which the J.F.I.A. Was invited and heard Mr. Johnson & Mrs. Bond talk about growing & canning vegetables. Neff was down but didn't have the {dramas?} with him. He suggested that we should have a box social next Thursday. The others seemed to think it would be a good idea so I suppose we will have to have it. Young {Crosbie?} drove Frank & me home and I thought he would up set us for sure. Nice day. Bustery this morning though.

Saturday March 2nd

Dad. went back to Tupper this morning and they finished but he didn't get home till after noon as he went over to John Wesses for dinner and took him "Happy Hawkins" to read. About half past four he, Enah & the baby drove down town for some groceries. I spent most of my time to-day when I wasn't doing chores in fixing up boxes of earth and to-night sowed some tomato seed. We have them on a little table in front of the window in our room. Frank chased around this morning and this afternoon noon went down to Ryerse's with his rifle. Lila was over to dinner. Nice sunny day but windy.

Sunday March 3rd

Frank and I drove down town church this morning. It was the first time Frank had been at church for a long time. We spent a nice hour and a half in the back seat and I was aroused from a nice doze about the middle of the sermon by some kids having a high time out side playing on the cellar door. Frank was taking the sermon very much to heart as Mr. Johnson was talking about the wicked ness of those who didn't attend church regularly. Frank concluded he was lost. We were in to see Mrs. Bell before church to arrange for our box social next Thursday night. I drove Aunty and Aunty Alice over to dinner and Frank walked home going over the ice above the dam. I went back down town right after dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. I went up to Harry {Morris's?} just before tea to ask if he would help us with a concert and he said he would. I had tea at Aunty's. They had walked home as Sam & Mrs. Law had come in here just before they left so Dad. couldn't drive them down. Aunty Alice was afraid to go over the ice so they came all the way around by the mill and she was too tired to go to church but Aunty and I went. Marj. and I came back with her. Lovely sunny day. Cool breeze

Monday March 4th

We spent the whole day cleaning out the sheep barn floor. We hauled out seven or eight waggon loads and spread them on the old garden but there is quite a lot in there yet. We couldn't haul big loads as the road was rough and it jiggled off and we had no side boards on. It was sunny this morning but got very cloudy and rained this afternoon noon and to-night. Very mild.

Tuesday March 5th

We finished cleaning out the sheep barn to-day but it took us till after dinner. We hauled out I think five loads and covered all the old garden west of the currant bushes and part of the strip that is left east of them. When we got through Dad. and Frank started to put the handle in the old axe head and I went down to Ryerse's to see what Olga found out about the box social and then walked over to Corby's to get him to telephone all the members of the J.F.I.A. and summon them to attend. At present it looks as if there will be about two women to every boy. Dad. & Enah got an invitation out to a party at Lish Farr's to-morrow night where they want them to "render a few selections". I suppose it is a house warming party so their new house is just finished. Foggy & mild.

Wedbesday March 6th

Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompson's right after breakfast with my two-year old heifer and didn't get back till nearly noon. Frank took a couple of axe heads down town and got the nicks ground out of them. He didn't get home till after we did. Alan Law was here when we got back, he had driven one of this horses up to have her clipped but as she was wet and muddy, we thought we couldn't clip her so Frank went back home with him and they took the machine down and clipped the other mare this after noon. Alan drove Frank home with the clipped mare and they certainly made a slick job. They left the machine down there to clip the other mare when she is dry. Dad. spent most of the afternoon noon trying to {hang?} an axe handle but had a hard time with it. I read and wrote to Miss Wade Secretary of the American Sheep. Registry Ass'n to find out about recording sheep over there. To-night I went down to church and spent the evening with Marj. Dad. and Enah had not decided whether to go out to Farr's when I left and they didn't decide until it was too late to go so stayed home. Huby got a cablegram from Quint sent on Sunday saying he was leaving the next day for France so I suppose he's pretty near the Front by this time. It has been cloudy & raw but not freezing all day. Snowing to-night.

Thursday March 7th

Frank and I didn't do much else all day but oil harness. We put a fire on in the shop and got Bell's heavy harness oild, washed, mended and put to-gether. It was about two o'clock when we finished the one harness so we didn't start on another one. I had a rather bad pain under my {?} this after noon so came in the house and lay down till chore time when it had disappeared. Dad. spent most of the after noon putting an axe handle in another head. He finished the one he was at yester day, this morning. He got the handle in the head just so far then couldn't get it either in or out so he heated the head and then drove it in which made a very tight fit. According to to-day's "Globe" all the bank clerks in On except those who were granted exemption on personal grounds are to be called up. so I guess old Dick will be a soldier yet. Colder to-day but windy. To-night we went down to our box social at Mrs. Bell's Friday March 8th. We had a very good time. There were not as many ladies there as we expected and so the boys & girls were about even in numbers. We played games and. at the wind up I auctioned off the boxes for which we realized about $15.00 half of that went to the {WAI?} and half to the J.F.I.A. Frank and I got home about one o'clock.

Friday March 8th

I went to Simcoe on the nine car this morning to see Johnson. Neff called me up last night to say they had a car of corn in and would send it down here with what stuff was ordered from around here, so I wanted to find out a little more about it and who had ordered from around here.. Johnson said they hadn't many orders and wanted me to get more and send them up to him to-night. I meant to come home on the eleven car but missed it so we walked home by the G.T.R. track. It was a lovely day for a walk especially down along the creek and I heard a lot of Spring birds and saw my first robin this morning. Frank was here alone when I got home about half past twelve as Dad. Enah & the baby went down to Aunty's for dinner. Right after dinner I went down town and went up to telephone Ham Thompson from Aunty Maude's to see if knew of any one who might buy corn, but he had gone over to our place. I visited with Aunty Maude for quite awhile and then went down to Aunty's till Dad. and Enah left. They drove and I walked. stopped in to see Harry {Man?} at the mill. and Charlie Quanbury's new horse that he got at Porter's sale so it was six o'clock when I got home

Saturday March 9th

Frank and I took Elgitha up to Ham Thompson's this morning and Dad. did chores. They had intended going back and cutting some wood but it was snowing hard when we got back so they didn't go. This after noon Frank and I walked over to see John Wess. Cam has gone home for a little while and Albert Newcombe is doing chores over there. Dad. went down town to see Aunty for awhile. Aunty Alice was in Brantford all day visiting with "Miss" Watts and Vernon is up there too. Aunty Alice came back at five o'clock. Frank went down town a party to-night at Bill Barwell's to celebrate Bill's birthday. Frank stayed down all night. It has been a miserable day. with a regular blizzard all the after noon and a thunder storm to-night.

Sunday March 10th

We woke up this morning to find that our Spring has left us and Winter is here again. There is a lot of snow and it has been not above 15° above zero all day with a cold north wind but sunny. To-night when I came home it was down to zero. Dad. Enah Tid and I drove down to church in the cutter and the sleighing is better than it has been all winter although there is a crust over it which formed I suppose after last night's thunder storm which brought sleet with it. After church Frank and I drove home and the rest went over to the James for dinner. I drove down after dinner and left Joe in the Presbyterian shed for them to drive home and I spent the after noon and evening with Marj. having tea and going to church with Aunty & Aunty Alice. Enah counted 25 robins this morning in the lilac bush out side the clothes room window. The poor little fellows evidently made a misguess and came north too soon.

Monday March 11th

We hauled down two loads of manure to Aunty's to-day, one this morning and another this afternoon. The sleighing was good and we took Belle and Queen. Frank went down this after noon to unload the car that should have come from the Norfolk Co-Operative Ass'n but Murray told him it wasn't in but called up Jack Martin after he got home and told him it was. Dad. Enah and I went down to a concert to-night given by Miss Prest & Miss Symonds for the prisoners of war. It was great. Much milder.

Tuesday March 12th

Frank went down first thing this morning to unload the Association car. Dad. and I put on another load of manure and took it down to Aunty's but had quite a time getting down as the sleighing was gone in places. We went down to the car and got our bag of oil cake but our clover seed didn't come. Smith from down on the town line had been up and got four bags of oil cake and left his sacks to be filled with corn so Frank wanted me to stay and help bag it after. We had dinner at Aunty's and were down at the car all this after noon. I called up Johnson right after dinner and he said the oil cake should have been weighed and Frank let Smith have his without, thinking there was just 300 lbs in a bag. We got Smith's bags all filled and he came after them about four o'clock. Lorne Myers was down and bagged up some for himself and Ham & Bert Thompson took two bags of oil cake which cleaned us out of it. It has been very windy and soft all day.

Wednesday March 13th

Whan Frank first went out this morning he found one of the four year old ewes No 8 with a fine ewe lamb. Frank went down to the car right after breakfast and didn't get home till about seven o'clock to-night, but said he got it all unloaded except a load or two for Charlie Ivey which Murray said he wouldn't charge demurrage for. As soon as they could get ready Dad. took Tid down to Aunty's and then came back got Enah and went out to the Shand's for dinner and spent the afternoon noon not getting home till after half past six. They had dinner & the Harvey Shand's and spent part of the afternoon at Willie's. I spent the day doing chores and scraping a few of the apple trees. I had my dinner at one and sat around quite awhile reading the paper after wards. I went out to look at the sheep about three o'clock and found old Lop ear (117) just at the lambing performance. In about half an hour she had two nice ones a buck & a ewe up and running around. I had most of the chores done up when Dad. got home but he fed the sheep and I came in and dressed and went down town. I was too late for church but took Aunty some cream and went up to see Marj. It was a fine day but turned out a bad night. Colder & raining hard. They say that yester day's thaw broke the ice up in the pond and that last night about eleven the water was running over the road again and they thought the bridge would go out. but it didn't.

Thursday March 14th

This has been a very disagreeable day. It rained hard most of the morning and drizzled all the after noon and was cloudy, mud dy, and cold. Dad. and Frank went out to the sheep barn about six o'clock this morning and found three more lambs, Dad's ewe had one and No 10 had two. the ram lamb of No 10's was just about dead when they found him, for although he had not been born long there was a scum over his nostrils and he couldn't breathe. Dad. brought him in the house and revived him a little but he soon died. None of them seem to get enough milk for some reason or other so Frank got a nipple for the feed bottle this morning and Dad. has been feeding them cow's milk all day. To-night he brought Lop ears ewe lamb in to the house for all night. It is in bad shape, and doesn't seem to know enoug to suck except the bottle. It seems queer as they were all strong when they were born. Frank has been down town most of the day again, helping Charlie Ivey part of the time. We haven't done much but chores and watch the sheep. I got a letter from Miss Wade to-day saying that the records of sires & dams of any sheep recorded in the American Shropshire Registry must also appear on the book. I wrote to R. W. W. Wade, asking for more definite information.

Friday March 15th

I haven't done much all day except stand around the sheep barn and shiver or sit around the house and sleep. It was a sunny day but the raw north wind made it very disagreeable. Matters were made worse by the bad luck we are having with the lambs. Lop ear's little ewe lamb died this morning and Dad opened it and said there was nothing in its stomach. One of the two year old ewes lambed to-day No 22. and the second lamb died just after it was born by being smothered with scum. The mother seemed to have no milk at all so we took the live lamb in the house and Dad. has been feeding it all day, as well as the lamb of Dad's ewe. By to-night. No 8 had a big pair of twins which seemed to get enough and which we put in the box stall in the horse. stable. The situation looks a little brighter to-night but we have the two in a box in the house and Dad. has to feed them every hour or so from a bottle. Frank has increased their the ewe's grain ration and is giving a few mangolds so we are hoping that they will soon "come to their milk".

Saturday March 16th

Charlie Quanbury came over this morning to get one

of us to go over and help Billy Mills put straw over Jack's straw berries, so I went. Billy wasn't through with the chores when I got there as he has a lot of pigs to feed. We gathered up the straw from around the stack and as it was frozen it was slow pitching and we only got two loads out before dinner. by that time the ground was to soft to work on. so I didn't go back this after noon. Frank and Dad. took the oil cake down to the mill and weighed it and this after noon Frank went up to Simcoe to report to Johnson, his steward ship was evidently satisfactory as Johnson gave him 30 cents an hour for unloading the car. He drew about $7.00 and gave me $1.20 for my after noons work. Dad. and I didn't do much but chores this after noon and I cleaned and rubbed up my Tommy Jackson harness. To-night I went down town and got my hair cut and took my drawings down to Aunty and she picked out some to send to the Correspondence School. No more lambs have come and the ones we have are doing well. Two are still in the house. West wind but not cold.

Sunday March 17th

Frank and I went down town Sunday school this morning as we were up in plenty of time. I didn't take my clothes off all night but got up at two and fid the lambs in the house and looked at the ones in the barn I could hardly hold my head up in Sunday school and did sleep most of the time in church. Dad. drove Enah down to church but didn't stay himself and she walked home. I went back down town right after dinner and Marj. and I went up to Miss McDonald's and took her a school Act manual which she is studying. We then went up to Miss Martin's but she wasn't home so we walked down to the dam with Mr. & Mrs. Bagley whom we over took. Ont our way back from there we went into Miss McQueen's for a few minutes where we found Miss Martin. I stayed down at Aunty's for tea, Win. was there too. and went to church with them to-night. After church Marj. and I started out for a walk but met Mrs. Moon who had some church money to give Marj. and so we went in there for awhile. Then on our way home we met {Said?} Davis who had spent the day in Simcoe and was rather excited at having some fellow, whom she didn't know offer to carry her club bag for her, so we walked up to Mrs. Richardson's with her where she is staying. It has been a beautiful sunny mild Spring day with a soft west wind. The spring birds are thick

Monday March 18th

I went over to Jack's first thing this morning and found him just milking his Jerseys. He said that instead of covering strawberrys this morning he would have me help Billy load some hogs to ship. I helped Billy do his chores and we had a lot of little things to do to get ready for the hogs which were in Charlie Martin's barn. We had to catch the two smallest ones and one of the biggest ones and weight them. There were five and the smallest weighed 158 lbs & the big one went just over 200 but we took them all down as the price is way up 19 cts here I think. I came home as soon as we got them loaded and have spent most of the day getting manure out of the hog stall for the hot bed Frank murdered old Nellie this morning and worked with her most of the day and this afternoon noon took her over to Jack. Dad has had a busy day with the lambs. He let the two biggest ones out to-day with the big sheep and left the two that were in the house out in the barn. He goes out every now and then and holds his ewe so that the two can suck as she won't own them. Two of the two year olds lambed to-day one had a single and one twins. The one with twins seems to have no milk. but they are fine strong lambs. Frank went to a dance to-night. Lovely day.

Tuesday March 19th

Frank got home from the dance about four o'clock this morning and I got up soon after he went to bed. Dad. lay on the sofa all night with his clothes on so that he could go out and feed the lambs in the night. I spent nearly all the morning making a frame for the hot bed and got it just about finished I got the boards from the old fence along the road. On one of my trips out after boards Frank went with me and we measured the corner field to see how much wire it would take to fence it and figured it at 120 rds. to go around three sides of it and we have enough wire for the front. This after noon Frank and I drove down town and took poor old Nellie's hide down which Frank shipped to {Hallam?} While I was waiting for Frank at the station an engine came along and before I had time to turn around old Belle got frightened and broke the old tonge on the waggon. Then Harry fell down as she knocked him down and Belle jumped with her front feet over him. It was quite a tangle but I don't think either of them were hurt and nothing but the tongue and Harry's bit was broken. Frank got a new bit and we borrowed a sleigh tongue from Joe Howell which Waters roped to the old one so that the draw bolt went partly through both of them and it made it.

solid enough for us to go up to Jack McBride's where we put on four rolls of wire for the corner field and we git home with them all right. A new lamb had arrived when we got home. Dad. let all the lambs but the very youngest and the two that the mother doesn't own out with their mothers to-day as it was a beautiful warm sunny day with no wind. Tupper came in to-night and left a load of corn here which he had hauled from Simcoe. His team was tired and he didn't want to tackle the hill with his load.

Wednesday March 20th

I spent quite awhile this morning working at the hot bed and then helped Dad. & Frank put on a jag of hay to haul to the horse stable. Aunty & Aunty Alice came over to dinner and just as we sat down Tupper came after his corn so came in and had dinner with us. He hung around and visited till about three o'clock Aunty and Aunty Alice went home about four and Enah went down to tea with them. After they left Dad. & I hauled the hay over and put it off over the horse stable. Frank went up to Mrs. Duncan's sale right after dinner and got back just as we got our load off. He bought a hog rack for $3.25. We were late getting through tea as another lamb arrived just after dark. I went down town but was too late for church. I spent the evening over at the Moore's and came home with Enah. Lidney & Wilma McQueen were over at Uncle Hughie's when I was there and Lidney was having a {picnic?} chasing the kids away from his sap as he has the maples in front of the house tapped. He came in on two different occasions each time announcing that he had caught a couple of them. The last time he came in he said he left {Garf?} on sentry and chuckled in great style over it because he said the kids would out run him. The Sunday school was lit up and I think he expected a bunch of kids to get out of it but it was the weekly meeting of the I.O.D.E. It has been a beautiful day. No wind and quite hot. 84° in the sun. Ed Moon got home from England to-night.

Thursday March 21st

We put on another load of hay this morning and hauled it over to the cow stable. While we were at it Lloyd Ryerse rushed in greatly excited to get Dad. to go down and poke a corn cob out of their pure bred cow's throat. as she was choking. Dad went down with him but

when they got there the cow was alright. Dad. says Art. was standing in front of her with a broom stick and Colin behind her with a corn stalk. and it was hard to say which was the wildest Art or the cow. This after noon Dad. and Frank cleared up a lot of the old fence bottom around the corner field and burnt over nearly the whole field. To-night Dad. went down to put Aunty's parlor carpet down and didn't get back till after twelve as they had a visit from Edgar Cantelon the artist and Huby was there to talk to him. Another great big lamb came to-night, the property of No. 6. It looks as if it was a week old. Pickford was over this morning to borrow our cyclone seeder to so his Spring wheat and he did this after noon, but those who saw him disking and harrowing say it was a very muddy operation It has been even warmer to-day than yesterday & no wind.

Friday March 22nd

Lloyd Ryerse came in again this morning while we were at break fast to get Dad. to go down to see the pure bred cow as she had another spell the same as yester day. Dad decided it was from drinking too much cold water. I went out this morning to catch Dad's ewe and hold her for the two lambs to suck and was very surprised to see her licking a new lamb. In about an hour another one arrived. Both of them were fine big strong lambs a ram and ewe. and it was a week ago yester day that she dropped the first one. At eleven o'clock I went up to Simcoe to take in Yeager's sale. I thought may be I could get a cheap saddle but they didn't start the sale till half past one and I left at four so I didn't see any thing but horses sold. The bidding was very slow on them and there were no big prices paid. They brought in a big bunch of Clydes which averaged about $350 a team and the highest price paid for hackneys at the sale was $700. for a team. I came down on the five o'clock car with Louise who has come up for over Easter. Another fine day but cool north wind.

Saturday March 23rd

I went over to Jack's again this morning and helped Billy get out two more loads of straw on the straw berries. It got pretty soft when the sun got up well and we got stuck with the second load and had to put part of it off. This after noon I put

soil in the hot bed. The manure is heating well now and I am a little afraid of it burning out too fast. Dad. and Frank burned the grass along the road west of the lane where it will make nice pasture for the sheep. They said Ham Thompson was over again this morning he has a sick ewe up there. Another lamb arrive this after noon. Arthur McPherson has been over playing with Tid all the after noon so Tid has. had a fine time except when they found a little mouse under Frank's {bee hive?} and it bit him and later in the day when Arthur shoved him in the ditch and he had to come in the house and run around pant less the remainder of the after noon. They had a "net" set in the ditch and he had to content him self watching Arthur out of the window who went down periodically to lift it. Frank went down town to-night. Sunny but a cold north wind.

Sunday March 24th

Frank and I didn't get down to Sunday school this morning but went to church and so did Enah. I stayed down at Aunty's to both dinner and tea but spent the after noon and evening with Marj. and went to church to-night with Aunty, Aunty Alice & Louise I got home about twelve and went out to feed lambs, but as there was another lamb arriving I didn't go to bed till it came - about two o'clock and then just changed my clothes and lay down. Nice day. Cool breeze.

Monday March 25th

I went over to Jack's this morning and helped Billy cover strawberries till noon. We got out three jags. Aunty and Louise were here to dinner and after dinner Louise went out and in spected all the stock and took some pictures of the lambs.. After that I slept nearly all the after noon. Frank went down town and got his hair cut and Dad wrote a letter to Dick. To-night Dad. went down to go with Aunty and hear Mr. Crosley the evangelist at the Methodist Church. They heard him here thirty years ago but Dad. said he had changed greatly. The morning war news was gloomy. The Germans claimed the capture of 30,000 British, 600 guns and advanced in some places 15 miles but Dad. heard to-night that Haig's men had taken 400,000 Germans and the Crown Prince. It seems incredible but Mr. Brand announced it in church as being authentic

Tuesday March 26th

I went over and helped Billy cover strawberries this morning and Jack told me he wanted me to help do chores around the chicken pens this afternoon noon so I put in the after noon, watering chickens and cleaning off dropping boards and about four o'clock went down with old Jack and the democrat and got a couple of boxes of eel-parts.. I saw May Perry down town, she was home for a day. The big war news yester day proved to be all a fake. The British are still retreating but their lines are not broken and they are in flicting heavy losses on the Germans who still persist in attacking in massed formations. Nice day. Raw

Wednesday March 27th

I have been over at Jack's all day fiddling around watering, feeding and cleaning out chicken houses and doing any thing any body told me to. Snow drop presented us with a big black bull calf this morning and ewe no 15 had a pair of lambs. To-night I went down town and went down to the station with Marj. who went to get her tickets for Haliburton. She is going home for Easter to-morrow. It has been a fine day but freezing to-night.

Thursday March 28th

I have put in another day. over at Jack's, valet for the chickens all morning but this after noon I helped Billy haul a load of straw over from his place to the red barn and then Jack and I gathered the sap or at least he gathered it and I drove. We got a big milk can full. some of the buckets were running over. To-night Frank and I went down to a Horti cultural meeting. Neilson was down from the College lecturing on vegetable growing and Neff was down with his moving picture machine which is a dandy. Roy and Rebecca came to-night. Enah went down to-night to choir practice and came back with us. It has been a fine day. Freezing to-night.

Friday March 29th Good Friday.

Same round of chicken chores to-day. and this after noon gathered the sap twice. Some of the buckets were running over after dinner so I gathered a milk can full and then again at six I got about half a can again. Coakwell and I went down to Chris's this morning and helped him move his pig pent back further. Enah went down to church this morning.

and stayed to dinner. One of No 15's lambs died to-day. Dad opened it and found it was inflammation of the bladder. Another beautiful day.

Saturday March 30th

I put in most of the day watering chickens and scraping off dropping boards. I watered every chicken pen & coop on the place and cleaned off every dropping boards. I started to dig a hole to bury some dead hens this after noon but had to stop to help Jack gather sap. We didn't get so much to-day It didn't freeze as hard last night and has been clearing quite a bit to-day. I saw {Pud?}. Slocomb to-day. He is up for over Easter and came over to Jack's at noon to get Frances. He says he doesn't have to go into the army till the 14th of May and that will give him time to finish his year at the University. The war news is looking better. The Germans are still advancing toward Amiens but are losing a pile of men and seem to be putting themselves in a rather dangerous salient position where there is a possibility of catching them between the French & British armies. They had to call out the militia down in Quebec yesterday to quell a riot which started over the rouning up of some fellow under the Military Service Act. Cloudy & mild. One of Jack's men who was to come to work Monday has disappointed him so he wants me back next week. I had to tell him I wouldn't see him stuck, but hate to go back.

Sunday March 31st Easter.

We all went down to church this morning, it being Easter. Ray and Louise sang in the choir which Ray has practiced a couple of times. Alf from Aunty's came over here to dinner but had to go back early as Ray had to show Rebecca to Aunty Alice Cousin Bessie this after noon. Tid. And Rebecca had a great time. Enah went down with Louise a little later than the others and stayed down to tea and evening church. Her father has been pretty sick. I didn't go to church but drove over after wards and brought Enah home. It has been very mild all day and feels like rain. One of Split ears lambs died to-day. It was alright last night.

Monday April 1st

I was up at half past three this morning and didn't go to bed again. My big calf was loose out in the barn

so I tied him up and then did some writing. I spent the day over at Jack's. He, Chris and I were the only ones there to do chickent chores as his new man that he expected didn't show up. Frank and Dad. cleaned up oats this after noon. Frank was going to try to plow on the corn ground to-day but it rained a little so he didn't go out. They docked eleven of the biggest lambs this morning. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to the Masonic dance. Very mild. Cloudy and rainy.

Tuesday April 2nd

I have been over at Jack's all day and Frank started to plow this morning but didn't get much done. Enah had such cramps this morning that she had to go back to bed before breakfast and was very sick when I left. I came home again in about an hour or two and she was no better and Dad. was beginning to feel sick. soon after that I saw Frank going down town after Aunty as Dad. was laid up and when I got home at noon Dr. Cook was here. He says there are about forty of the ones who went to the dance last night laid up in the same way. They blame it to some chicken sand wiches they had, the chicken having been pressed or cooked in tin dishes. Neither Dad nor Enah have been able to sit up all day. Aunty is staying all night. Every one is roasting Dr. Cook in a good natured way as he was one of the two who looked after the banquet, Woodyer was the other and he is very sick and all of Dr. Cook's family is sick but he is alright.

Wednesday April 3rd

Dad. doesn't seem to be much better to-day but Enah was up at. noon and felt much better. Aunty Alice came over this morning but went back again before tea. I spent the day over at Jacks. He has his new men on over there to-day but wanted me to stay the rest of the week till he gets them "broken in". To-night I went up to Ham Thompson's from town and borrowed a setting hen. I have one of my own and I think I will get a setting of Ham's bred-to-lay Rocks and a setting of good ones from Jack which he said he would let me have at half price and see which do the best. I intended to trap nest any pullets I raise as I think if I just have a few I can look after them better. Sunny but cold east wind. Freezing to-night.

Thursday April 4th

I have put in another day at Jack's cleaning out chicken house most of the time. Enah seems to be alright again but Dad. is still pretty miserable he lay around all day but was able to eat a little. Aunty and Lila were over here to dinner. I had a letter from the Shaw Correspondence School yester day saying that my drawings showed I had the ability to make a success as an Illustrator. I suppose they say the same to every one but I think if possible I will take the course in the Fall. Fine and Cold. Freezing to-night.

Friday April 5th

I have been over at Jacks all day. Dad. felt well enough to help me milk this morning and he went down town for dinner. when I got home to-night he had the milking all done and separated. He feels a little weak yet and has a bad cold. Frank went down town on his wheel and got Alan Law to bring home our new waggon tongue which Joe Howell made and ironed off for only two dollars. To-night Frank and I went with Aunty to hear Mr. Crossley and see him give his physical culture exercises. She had invited the Odd Fellows and Masons to come and hear him so the Presbyterian Church was well filled.

Saturday April 6th

I put in my last day at Jack's to-day. He may want me to help feed next Tuesday but I don't have to go at it steadily again. Frank went down town this after noon and got some coal oil and this after when he came back he started to plow the plum orchard which worked well he said. To night Frank and I walked down town and spent the evening bumming around town. Sunny & mild all day. Cloudy to-night.

Sunday April 7th

Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and after church I went up to the McBain property to meet Ham Thompson and look over a plot which we think will do for the J.F.I.A. Aunty was over here to dinner. Dad. Enah and the baby drove down to church but Dad. & Tim. went over to see Dave. Waddle while Enah went to church. This afternoon I went down town I went around to the Moore's to see if Marj.

had come yet but she hadn't. I was there for an hour or two. I went down town meet the five o'clock car and went up to Huby's for tea and part of the evening. I went down and met the nine o'clock car on which Marj. arrived and I spent the rest of the evening up at Mr. Moore's. It has been cloudy with a cool wind and looks stormy.

Monday April 8th

Frank and Dad. went to the back field this morning and Frank has been disking back there all day, and says it works fine. Dad. went over to see John Wess for awhile but he had gone down to meet Cam. I went up to Ham Thompson's and got a setting of Rock eggs and got him to telepphone Neff. to come down here Wednesday night and he said he would tell the rest of the boys to meet and arrange for growing our potatoes. When I got home I went over to Jack's to get a setting from him but they didn't have a setting from the pen I wanted them from so I had to leave my basket. This after noon Dad. and I cleaned up oats Dad. went down to-night and went to hear Mr. Crossley with Aunty on the wickedness of card-playing and dancing but he didn't care for him so much. It has been cold this after noon with north wind but was nice this morning.

Tuesday. April 9th

It froze hard last night so Frank didn't go to the back field but plowed all morning in the plum orchard. Dad. and I went to the back field and opened up a ditch along by the woods which was plowed in last fall. This after noon Dad. & Frank went back with two teams to work on the back field. Frank took Belle & Queen and harrowed. I went back with him and helped him get hooked up and then came up and helped Dad. put Harry and Dave to-gether and he went back and disked. Enah went down to-night a meeting of Mr. Crossley's addressed solely to the ladies but she didn't like it much. I stayed here with Tim and spent most of the afternoon noon grinding up oil-cake in the cider mill. To-night I went down to see Marj. for awhile. It has been cold with a strong north east wind.

Wednesday April 10th

Frank and I went down town this morning

and got our seed potatoes and clover seed. Dad. went back with Harry & Dave and disked and Frank harrowed with Belle & Queen when we got back from town. Frank disked this after noon with Belle & Harry and Dad and I treated enough oats with formaldehyde for smut to sow the back field. To-night Frank and I went over to Ham Thompson's to a J.F.I.A. Meeting but there were not many out. Neff was down and wanted us to get a plot for our potatoes with both clay & sand in it so that we could run the two experiments, so we decided to go over and have a look at a piece of Lorne Myer's which he thinks will answer the requirements so a committee of Arnold McBride, Ham & I were empowered to go over and look at the plot and decide this week whether we would take it as Taylor's piece. After After we chewed the rag over our potatoes for an hour or so we had a game of cards and some music every body contributing. It has been cloudy & very cold all day with a strong north east wind and is snowing tonight.

Thursday April 11th

We didn't do much this morning but ear tag the lambs but that took quite awhile not only to put the labels in but to get them in the right lambs & mark it down. I did the same as last year and put all the lambs down first in. a book then started with the oldest and put the smallest number in his ear and so on to the youngest. By putting them all down first it is easier to check off the ones we have done and don't have to catch them in regular order. Art Quanbury yelled at me this morning to tell me that Jack wanted me over there to-day but I couldn't go till noon but was over there all the afternoon. Dad. and Frank ear marked the yearling ewes and rams and got some hay ready to load and bring over to the horse-stable. It has been cloudy and windy to-day but not cold. The ground was covered with snow this morning and it is not all melted off by to-night. They moved eight loads of the gas. drilling out fit on to Jack Martin's place to-day on the top of the gully hill near the road.

Friday April 12th

I went over to Lorne Myer's after break fast this morning and met Ham Thompson and we picked out

two halfacre plots one clay loam and the other lighter soil which we think will do for our potatoes. Lorne wasn't home but left word for us to pick out what we wanted. I went over Jack's when we got through and worked till noon and then put in the after noon over there. Dad. and Frank moved some hay over to the horse stable this morning and this after noon Frank went down and got the money from Mr. Walker and sent a check to Johnson for his potatoes and clover seed. They plowed some more of the plum orchard. To-night. I went down and saw Marj. for awhile. It has been cold and raw all day.

Saturday April 13th

I went over to Jack's this morning and fed up and then came back and helped Dad. put on the jag of hay for the cow stable. I was over at Jack's all the after noon. Frank finished plowing the plum orchard this morning and this after noon he and Dad. worked on the back field and got on fairly well. Frank and I went down town to-night and I had my hair cut and hung around town till midnight. The Day light saving plan came into operation to-night and all the clocks were put on one hour. It is funny to hear the comments of those who up hold and oppose the bill. i am rather in favor of it as I think it will benefit the country as a whole although it may make it a little awkward for us farmers during haying and harvest when there are heavy dews but otherwise I can' t see how it will affect us in the least, but some people. Dad. and Aunty among them can't under stand how it is that they aren't going to lose and hour's sleep in the morning, but I think they will find they depend more on the clock than they suppose. It has been a lovely sunny day.

Sunday April 14th

I didn't get up till seven o'clock (new time) this morning and was too late for Sunday school but Frank went down on his wheel and Enah and I drove down to church, our church ran on new time but others didn't as they thought the people in the country didn't all know about it. Miss Morgan and Miss Newell came in just as church was over. Elva invited Marj. and me through

Enah to go for a motor ride this after noon as Brant Bloodsworth had his father's car down here so we did and had a nice after noon but we got rather tired. I didn't think they were going far but we went to Brantford and a long way out on the Hamilton road from Brantford and didn't get home till nine o'clock. We had a nice time but a little too much of it. Frank and Lila rode their wheels down to the Ward's this after noon and Frank didn't get home till nine o'clock either. Aunty and Aunty Alice were over to dinner an Huby was over here to tea. The Pick ford's and Gilbert Lynchs were also over this after noon. .Lovely sunny day.

Monday April 15th

Dad. and Frank worked both teams on the back field to-day and got it about half drilled in by to-night. I went over to Jack's for a couple of hours this morning and this after noon I did the chores over here at noon so was late getting to Jack's and then spen about half an hour helping to dig a big car out of the mud hole at the corner. The new time makes things later in the morning but its nice at night. Clementine Tupper had a red bull calf this morning and the white ewe had a pair of twins which don't seem very strong, that brings the lamb crop up to twenty four. eleven ewes and thirteen ram lambs.

Tuesday April 16th

Dad. finished drilling in the back field this morning and sowed a little piece near the woods broadcast as it was the other side of the ditch which he didn't want to cross. This afternoon he harrowed it over and Frank worked all the after noon on the piece back of the orchard. I put in a little over four hours over at Jack's and spent the rest of the time over at J doing chores. Very cloudy & mild.

Wednesday April 17th

Dad. and Frank furrowed out the oat field this morning and went down to the mill and got three bushels of barley to mix with oats and sow on the three acres of wheat along the side road as they are sure it is {?} completely. On their way home from the mill they came in to Jack's and got three oak block which Frank {surname?} was going to burn on the bonfire as he said.

they were too tough to split. I was over there most of the morning and part of the after noon. but after dinner I helped Dad. treat the rest of the oaats that were cleaned up. Frank went out to plow and got in an hour or two but rain drove him in at five o'clock. To-night I spent the evening with Marj. It has been cloudy all day. Sultry this morning and rainy all the after noon It rained heavily for a couple of hours but. when I came home to-night It had stopped.

Thursday April 18th

I have been over at Jack's most of the day to-day. It has been cloudy and windy but too wet to work on the land but Frank plowed this afternoon noon. He was on the sod east of the lane and says it it is pretty wet. This morning Dad. and Frank docked the rest of the lambs. The white ewes lambs are doing better but she is inclined not to own the youngest one however he gets enough milk some way to keep him satisfied. The Germans are making an awful drive now towards Ypres and have gained so me high ground. There is talk of calling out all the physically fit men in Canada between 20 & 23 and granting no ex emptions at all but the bill has not been put through yet. Enah had a letter from Quint to-day. He has been up to the front line with a machine gun battery but evidently not in any action yet. It snowed again to-night.

Friday April 19th

Dad. plowed this morning in the sod field back of the orchard and Frank took a shear down to Halloway to be sharpened. This after noon Frank plowed and Art Ryerse came up to get Dad. to go down and see their pure bred heifer as she had another fit but when they got down there she was dead. Aunty was over here to dinner to-day. To-night Frank went down to a dance in the town hall. Tiny & Joe Dyer came home this after noon. It has been cold and cloudy all day. I have been over at Jack's most of the day but a new man came to-day.

Saturday April 20th

I went over to Jack's about nine o clock this morning and found the new man, Frank Reid had most of the chores done on this side of the road so I did up most of Chris's for him. This after noon I didn't go back till five o'clock and then went back to show Ried how

to feed up and get the eggs in the right pens of the egg baskets. He is just a schoolboy from down near King ston but doesn't seem like a bad sort. I spent most of the after noon washing the buggy. Frank worked up the plum orchard and Dad. sowed oats on it and I sowed rape seed and then Frank harrowed it. He went out and plowed when he got through. Dad. Enah and the baby drove down town after got the buggy washed. I worked till dark to-night raking up the lawn and then went over to Jack's and got an egg tester and tested out my two settings and just took out three eggs

Sunday April 21st

Enah and I walked down to church this morning as it rained hard during the night and this morning and we didn't want to get the buggy dirty. I stayed down and had dinner with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida but Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah. I spent the afternoon noon and evening with Marj. and had tea at Miss Kerney's. Marj. and I went to church and then walked up to ask after old Mr. Martin who is very sick with pneumonia. Cloudy but mild.

Monday April 22nd

It rained a little again early this morning and has been cloudy and windy most of the day but looks clearer to-night. It was too wet to do any thing on the land so this morning we moved a couple of jags of hay over to the horse stable we didn't put on a full load as we thought the ground was too soft. This after noon Frank and I took a very small jag over to the cow stable and Dad. went over with Cam. McBride to operate on a pig. I got some more raking done on the lawn to-night. Geordie Boughner was in to-night to look at my red steer but only offered me 8 1/2 cts for him so I decided to feed him for another month. Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day saying that intends to resign soon as he is now certain that he will be drafted although he has not had any notice from the Military Authorities yet. He hopes to go and see Granddaddy and spend a week on some ranch out there learning to ride.

Tuesday April 23rd

I sowed clover seed on the wheat back of the barn this morning. There doesn't seem to be much chance

of any wheat coming but it is. clean and so we thought we would take a chance on something coming to shade the clover seed. Dad. and Frank started to plow the old. garden one plowed and the other raked the long manure into the furrow. I went over and took Dad's place when I got through sowing and Dad. went after and rolled up some of the barbed wire around the corner field along the front road. This after noon Dad. and Frank plowed all they could of the old garden which was just on top of the knoll as the west and south sides were too wet. When they finished there Dad. went out and rolled up the rest of the wire along the south side of the field and Frank went on plowing along the wast side of the field north of the orchard as it was fairly dry. I did up the chores at noon and then raked up the yard where the raspberries are. Enah and Tid. went down town to tea. and Dad. Frank and I went down after wards to go to a show "The Village Doctor" put on by the Jarvis Methodist Bible Class. It was a pretty punk show but they didn't do so badly considering what they had to work on. Tid. seemed to enjoy it. It has been a fine day but raining again to-night.

Wednesday April 24th

Frank plowed all morning and Dad. took down a barbed wire from around the corner field and this after-noon Dad. finished up Frank's lands and Frank finished rolling up the wire. I raked up on the lawn all morning and this after noon I did up the chores and then went over to Lorne Myer's to see if our choice of land for potato plots was satisfactory to him. he is very willing to do all he can to help. To-night Dad drove Enah down to choir practice but it was just about over when she got there. Dad. spent the evening quarrelling with Huby about farmer's position. Huby up holding his favorite contention that the farmer's were making more money than any one else, which being untrue and Huby's arguments so foolish made Dad. mad. Cloudy and cold raw wind. Freezing hard to-night.

Thursday April 25th

I spent the morning finishing raking the lawn and working at my rose bushes. Dad. plowed the head lands of the field north of the orchard as the west side of the field is too wet yet to plow. This after noon Frank harrowed with Queen & Belle on the {?} plowing and

Dad. disked up the old garden with Harry & Dave. Then I took his team and disked on the field and he helped Enah put in some onion sets. Aunty Alice and Dess were over here to tea and I went down with them this evening to go to a sidesmans meeting at the Rectory but was the only one there so just sat there and visited with Mr. & Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Top. Durkin who had come down from Vittoria with Mr. Johnson he has 6 acres up there which he and Top. are raising vegetables on. Frank and I went to the mill this morning and got some chop to finish off my big steer with. Sunny but raw.

Friday April 26th

Dad. and Frank disked and harrowed back of the orchards and this after noon Dad. drilled in all the oats we had cleaned up which sowed all of the full plowing but not quite all of the oat stubble. Frank harrowed after the drill. I spent the morning doing a few chores and cleaning out the rest of my rose bushes and mulching them. This after noon I planted some Irish Cobbler potatoes out in the old garden. I went down town to-night. Cloudy but mild.

Saturday April 27th

This morning Dad. and Frank ran out the ditches in the piece Dad. drilled yesterday and then Frank started to disk up the three acres along the side road where we put wheat last fall but on which there is not a sign of any thing alive except the grass on a few sods here and there. Frank didn't get all over it by noon but says it works up like a garden. Dad. cleaned out some ditches while I planted a few more potatoes and then we changed up what few seed we had left about four or five bushels. After dinner Dad. took Joe & Queen and the drill and Frank took Belle & Harry. Dad. harrowed till Frank got through disking and then drilled the piece in with oats & barley mixed half & half. Frank harrowed after the drill and Dad. went out after he brought his team & the drill up and they ran out the furrows finishing about seven. I spent most of the after noon chasing after the sheep which wouldn't stay in the gully but wandered all over the farm and putting and planting potatoes. I now have about five rows planted the length of the old garden and the sixth one started. Very warm and rather sultry to-day.

Sunday April 28th

Frank and I went down to church this morning and Aunty and Marj. came over to dinner. This after noon Aunty, Marj. & Tid. And I went to the woods and got a great lot of may flowers and Spring beauties and a few adder tongues, the trilliums are not out yet. The flowers are very thick back there and are big and a great variety of colours. Jim and Mrs. Waddle were here when we got back. and Dad. said Ham and Bert Thompson had been here. Frank was down at the Ryerse's on his wheel. Enah, Aunty, Marj. and I went down to Aunty's for tea. Aunty Alice had been down seeing Lila off as she went up to Lynn Vally in the five car and is going to start working for Chris Quanbury to-morrow. We all went to church to-night except Aunty and Aunt Ida and Perce Kindree & I assumed our duties as sidesmen. After church Marj. and I went down with Aunty Alice as Marj. had left some flowers down there. I got home before Frank as he had gone to Simcoe on the car with young Lampkins and Crosby. It has been very warm all day with a south breeze but it rained a little shower to-night.

Monday April 29th

Frank has been plowing all day on the five acres north of the orchard and thinks he can finish it to-morrow. Dad. went over first thing to see if he could get some barley from Jack. And saw Billy Mills who said they had a little but didn't know whether they would have six bushels more than enough for themselves but I went over and helped him clean it up and he decided that he could let us have our six bushels. Dad. Tid and I went after it right after dinner and then Dad. went down to Tam's and borrowed his disk drill and drilled till about seven o'clock on the wheat back of the barn. It was in beautiful shape and the disk drill hardly cut out any wheat but as he didn't have it set in very deep it didn't all cover. He didn't get all the field in as it began to rain before dark, so there is the little piece west of the ditch unsowed. Young Leo Mitchell was in this afternoon to have Dad. lance a big lump on his mare's breast. Fine day, a little shower to-night.

Tuesday April 30th

Frank plowed all morning and got the field done

except for finishing up the last loads and Dad. finished them up this after noon. Dad. decided not to sow barley on the knoll west of the ditch as the wheat is pretty good in spots on it and we thought we would leave it for the sake of comparison; so we took the barley out of the drill and Dad. took it home. When he got back he disked with Joe & Queen till noon and this after noon Frank took them and disked. A Mr. Broadley from Charlotteville came in just before dinner with a big grey Pickeron stallion. and he stayed here to dinner. The stallion was "Jason" the one Chart Wooley bought at Yeager's sale. This Broadley has just bought him from Chart and wants to travel him down this way. He is the same one that Stinhoff had through here last year and didn't have many colts. I did odd jobs & chores all day. Neil Elliott was in this after noon and looked at m my big steer and offered me 10 cts for him now, but I didn't sell him. Sunny & cool.

Wednesday May 1st

Frank and I worked on the five acre field pretty much all day and have gone over it twice with the disk lengthways and twice with the harrow the same way and Frank started over it with the disks crossways. Dad. did chores and cleaned out ditches all day. and to-night just before tea went over to Quanbury's and bagged up six bags of oats to sow, where we are working now. After tea the Quanbury boys brought their flat rack and the oats over here and left them as we want the flat rack to sheer sheep on. I went down town to-night. It has been sunny but very cold north wind all day.

Thursday May 2nd

Frank disked the field north of the orchard crossways this morning getting over it by a little after twelve but he didn't lop the disks half. Dad. and I sawed up one of the oak limbs and then cleaned up the oats that the Quan bury boy's brought over. This after noon I harrowed with Queen & Dave and Dad. started to drill with Harry and Belle. We hoped to have been through seeding to-night but Dad. ran out of seed so we had to stop. Frank went down town and got a board at the {Widespread?} and spent the after noon making a wool-pressing box. Pickford came over to-night to borrow the clover seeder and was here all the evening. Not cold but very strong south west wind.

Friday May 3rd

Dad and I cleaned up what few oats we had in the bin this morning and Dad. finished drililng the field before dinner but it took him till night to get it all harrowed and furrowed out. We are now through seeding. I sent the morning fixing up a coop to put my little chickens in and clearing up the back yard. Frant went out and pulled all the posts out around the cornerfield cleaned out his bee hives and put them away (as the bees are all dead.) and worked some more on the wool box. when Dad. was ready he went out and helped him run the ditches. Neff was in the after noon with some of the potatoes for the J.R.I.A. plot and I went with him over to Lorne Myer's Lorne wasn't home but we left the potatoes there and had a look at the land. Neff said it was alright. To-night I rode Queen up to Ham Thompson's to see about spraying. Dess was over after tea to-night. She and Dad. each got a letter from Dick who expects to be home in a couple of weeks. He wants to get in the Navy but Head Office ordered him to report for accountant at Imperial. Sask, but the manager told him it wasn't worth his while. Fine day.

Saturday May 4th

We expected to start in first thing this morning and shear the sheep, but when we went to take the horse clipping attachment off to put the sheep shearers on we couldn't do it. The directions with the machine said to put a screw driver between the cogs and jerk the handle back ward and we tried that several times but were afraid of breaking the little cogs in fact we did chip a couple of them. Art Quanbury came in and tried it but couldn't do any better so at last Frank took it down to Mr. James. He worked at it for an hour than advised Frank to take it up to the garage. The fellow up there and old Hamaker couldn't take it off but when George Gamble came in and did according to directions aparently the same as the rest had tried it came off in a minute. He seems to be a regular wizzard with machinery. Frank didn't get home till after noon so it was late when we got started and Rus Lampkins was in for quite awhile so we only got the white ewe and the old ram sheared. This morning Dad. and I cleaned out the worst ditch in the oat field across the gully

and I moved the little chickens down into their outside coops. I have just twelve out of each setting. Frank went down town to-night. Rus Lampkins took the inch pipe he left here two or three years ago for the sink. Cloudy morning but fine day.

Sunday May 5th

We all went to church this morning. Frank Enah and I walked down and Dad. & Tim drove down. Frank and I drove Joe home and the rest stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. I helped Frank do chores and then hooked Queen up and took Marj. for a drive. We drove down the lake shore and took Mr. Moore some provisions. He seemed very glad to see us and took us in and showed their house and the farm. They have 19 acres in. I picked Winnie up on the way home and she was over here to tea. and I walked down with her after tea but it was too late for church. I met Marj. after church and spent the evening with her. It has been warm and sunny all day and feels as if it would rain. We would be glad to see a rain now as things are getting pretty dry.

Monday May 6th

We have been shearing all day but only got eight done. we didn't get started very early and made better time with last few. Jack Walker was over this afternoon noon to get some elms for Gus to set out in front of his house. I went back with him to the woods and we got four. To-night I got the lawn mower out of winter quarters but didn't have time to cut much before dark. Very warm.

Tuesday May 7th

We have been at the shearing all day again to-day and only got eight sheep done. Mr. Broadly and Jason were in again for dinner and he sheared a couple for us with the machine and one with the shears. He like the shears best and made better time with them. Ham Thompson was in too while he was here. He came to tell me that the spraying was all off as it was too late now. Dad. had a letter from Dick from Regina enclosing the check for his truck which is at the station now. He said the whole town of Cadillac was at the station to see him off. They had a surprise

party for him at which they intended presenting him with a wrist watch but as it didn't come for the occasion, they will ship it to Dover. for him. A letter addressed to him also came here from the Registrar of Saskatchewan saying that he had transferred Dick's name to the Toronto Registrar and for Dick to see him as soon as possible. Enah sent the letter to Ray as Dick intends to stay in Toronto a day or two before he comes home. I cut more of the lawn to-night. It was raining when we got up this morning has been very warm all day and although sunny at times rained several times quite heavily.

Wednesday May 8th

We sheared sheep all day and got 9 done to-day which was a slight improvement. We only have three left now to shear. To-night I went down town and Marj. and I went to the Presbyterian Church to hear Mr. Falton Presby terian Minister in Simcoe give a talk on Ireland which wasn't bad. Frank and Enah drove down and Enah went to Choir practice but there weren't enough there to have any. Fair & cooler. No ink in the house.

Thursday May 9th

We finished shearing the sheep this morning but it took us till noon. This after noon Frank and I took down the piece of wire fence which we had along the potato patch (back of the barn last year and put it between the orchard and the plum orchard so that we could let the sheep in the orchard. Tom came in just as we got that done and he wanted us to clip Maude so Dad. Tom and I clipped her and Frank went down town and got some oil and when he got back he disked up last year's potato patch back of the barn and when we got Maud clipped he and Dad. went out to plow the old garden. Winnie & Dess came over this afternoon noon and were here to tea. Alex Jameson was in too for a short visit. Tom brought Dick's truck over for us so saved us a trip down with the waggon. Brant Bloodsworth & Elva came over after tea in the car and took the girls home and Enah & Tid for a ride. Brant. left the bank to-day and has to report in Brantford on Monday. He has got into the Flying Corps. Neff came over in his car this afternoon noon and brought us the twine for our wool which he promised to send us. Dad.

had a letter from Dick to-day from Toronto saying he would be home in a day or two. he couldn't get into the Navy. but is going to try the Aviation or Artillery. Tonight Frank and I drove Queen over to Lorne Myers for a drive around the block. Fine growing day.

Friday May 10

I spent most of the morning tying up the wool. Frank and Dad. went out to finish plowing the old garden but it began to rain so they had to come in and Frank helped me with the wool. Art. Quanbury came over at noon to borrow the clippers as he wanted to shear his sheep and Frank went over with him and sheared the first one. It was very windy and rather cold this afternoon noon so we didn't haul any hay as we intended but when Frank came home we put the wool in the big sack they sent us from the Association I had to get in and tramp it and we had a hard job putting the thirty fleeces in but we did but couldn't get the bundle of tags in so will have to send them separately. To-night Dad. went down town with Aunty Alice's milk and Frank and I spent the evening over at the gas well. Dad. wasn't home when we went to bed, and we were very surprised to be wakened soon after we were asleep by no less a personage than old Dick. he had come in on the seven o'clock car and had come home with Dad.. He. Dad. and Enah sat up till after mid night. Dick telling them of his life since he left. He evidently had some good times in the West and is very much in love with the Prairies. He hasn't enlisted yet nor been drafted. He hoped to see Joe Dyer here as he is to be in command of three batteries of artillery in Toronto, but he has just left for Chicago for a week.

Saturday May 11th

We moved a pretty good load of hay over the horse stable this morning and took a small jag to the cows stable. We were delayed while putting it on by the cattle breaking down a post of the barnyard fence and getting into the wheat. There was one piece about 2 yards square of fairly good wheat and they trimmed it right to the ground. Aunty came over to dinner and this afternoon Dad. Dick. Aunty & Tim all went down town and Dad. fixed up the walks and the bay-

window bed down home. Dick didn't come back to tea and stayed down town all night. Frank and I went back to the gully this afternoon noon and started to take down the cross fence as it has become so dilapidated that it is past fixing. We got the wire off and rolled on this side of the creek but didn't get much done at the other side. We went back to the woods to see our ginseng and golden-seal. The Ginseng is not up yet but the Golden Seal looks fine. Frank caught a snapping turtle back there and took it over to Henry at the gas well as he eats them. We saw a big flock a hundred or more of American Goldfinches back in the gully. It seems as if they had just come. To-night Frank and I went down town and I got my hair cut. Sunny morning but rainy after noon.

Sunday May 12th

It was raining when we got up this morning and rained pretty much all morning but cleared off for the after noon but was showery again all the evening. Enah and I drove down to church and I drove Enah home after church and then drove back to the top of Marshall's hill and picked Dick and Dess up who had started to walk over to dinner. After dinner Dick took our picture and then I went down town I had tea at Aunty's and went to church with her and spent the evening learning Latin from May. Dad. drove Dick and Dess part way down town soon after I left and they went to Brantford on the five car to see Musa and came back on the eleven. I waited till the car came in but not till Dick {?} come.

Monday May 13th

We have spent the whole day working at the fence around the corner field. We took the team and waggon out this morning and gathered up all the wire, short posts and rubbish along the fence bottom and measured off where our anchor post at the north west corner has to go. Frank borrowed Jack's {chair?} this morning when he went over to get the seven ducks that Jack hatched for him..Dick came over right after dinner and as he was going to Toronto to-night. to see if he could get into the Artillery we sat around for awhile after dinner talking to him. and about three or half past Dad. drove him down town to catch the train. There was notice of a registered

parcel for him in the mail and it proved to be a dandy wrist watch which his friends in Cadillac had sent him. Frank and I went on surveying the fence while Dad. was down town and when he came back he brought the team out and started to plow a ridge along the front road for a fence bottom. They had to stop working at the gas well to-night as they have run out of rope. It has been cool and rather cloudy.

Tuesday May 14th

We have been all day at the fence again to-day and Dad. got the ridge for the fence bottom plowed all the way to the field. It kept Frank and me pretty busy setting stakes and making sure of the measurements. We grafted a couple of small wild apple trees on the road, just to see what we could do Walt {Deanming?} and Geordie Baughner were in this after noon to look at the red steer but only offered me $75 for him Niel was in yester day and offered me $80. I asked $85 for him and if I don't get it I wont sell him. To-night I caught the cat which we have caught twice stealing my little chickens and took her down to the pond or at least the creek and drowned her. Fine day.

Wednesday May 15th

This morning Dad. and I went back to fix the gully fence while Frank took the two plow shears down to be sharpened and to have some thing done to his teeth. After dinner Frank and I took a load of manure over to our potato patch at Lorne Myers. We were over there quite awhile and got some more stuff at the mill for the calves and Frank's ducks so it was about half past four when we got home. We put on a load of manure and took it back to the sand knoll across the gully where we had the turnips last year and where we hope to have some potatoes this year Dad and Enah were working in the garden till we came home and then Dad. came back and he and Frank fixed a little more of the gully fence while I threw the last of the load off and brought the team up. To-night I went down town and learned Latin. Lorne Myers said to-day he thought he could have our plots ready to plant by Saturday so we are going to try it. Fine day but cold breeze.

Thursday May 16th

Frank and I hauled four loads more back over the gully this morning and one this after noon which covered