{FRONT COVER}

DIARY.1919

T.B.Barrett

Port Dover, Ontario

Knockfierna..............

From January 1st 1919 to December 31st 1919

Wednesday January 1st 1919.

I have had a feeling all day to-day as if I ought to have the blues, not exactly that I ought to have them but that it is queer that I haven't got them. That isn't the proper way to feel on New Year's day especially since every New Year's day for the last four years we have all thought that if the "damned" (thats what most of us thought allright even if we didn't say it) old war was over we would never feel blue again and neither we do at least I don't and don't intend to even although I have had to light the lamp this after noon to see to write, and though my gum boot which I wore a hole in the sole of on the hard frozen knobs of earth in the barn yard last week let in a pint of oozey mud and water around my foot so that it was just like an eel in a puddle all morning (I wore Dad's rubbers this after noon) and although that old brute of a Gladys acted just as stubborn as a pig can when we tried to load her into the crate this morning and I got mad enough to kill her and chased her around the yard till I was winded calling her names that wouldn't do for Sunday, and although I had to stand under the drip of the eave of the barn this after noon for about

ten minutes trying to unhook the chain which was just within an ace of unhooking but wouldn't come, and although instead of this being a nice, crisp, sunshiney, snowy sleigh bell jingling day, it has been a dark, muddy, drizzley, drippy, rainy rotten one with nothing more cheerful to look at than the mist and drizzle and nothing to hear but the darn ducks squawk and the dismal flapping of Enah's clothes which have been hanging on the line since Monday steadily getting wetter than when she put them there. Even in spite of all this, I haven't got the blues and upon a moment's thought realize that I would be a mighty ungrateful creature if I had, for in spite of all the weather there is an awful lot to be thankful for. The main part of the war is over and the boys are beginning to get back, some of them pretty badly shot up but others looking fine and all of them tickled pink to be home. Old Quint, who must have seen some hard fighting during the last summer and fall has got through without a scratch and writes most interesting letters from Belgium of the sights he sees there. Of course, Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day written on Christmas saying he was to sail for Siberia the next day so he is probably well out on the Pacific by this time and will maybe see action over there as the paper reports Canadian Artillery in the Arcangel region supporting Russian, American and Polish troops in attacks on the Bolsheviki, but then even though his future movements are in some ways so uncertain, it doesn't seem as if his stay in Russia will last as long as it might have if the Western Front was not peaceful and some reports say that men will not have to stay there more than a year unless they like, even although Canadian troops are still kept there, and even if he does see action over there after knowing of some of the marvelous escapes some of the boys in France have had, I can't help feeling that the same Power that pulled them through will also look after old Dick. These things as well as others keep my heart above my boot tops in spite of the depressing atmosphere. We did nothing in the way of celebration to-day. Frank and I had to take old Gladys down to Coleman's this morning and got pretty wet doing it. Dad. felt better this morning and went out and helped us load her but I'm afraid it didn't do him any good. To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank went up to Huby's. We intend to celebrate New Year's on Aunty's birthday.

Thursday January 2nd

After I got the morning chores done up I went down town to send a money order to "The Breeder's Gazette" for a renewal of my subscription and also for some books for the J.F.I.A. for which Frank gave me a cheque. I didn't get back till noon. This after noon Charlie Quanbury came after Frank to help him take his calves out to {Lish?} Farr. who seems to be making a business of wintering cattle for people on his thrashed alsike. I didn't do any thing in particular but chores all the afternoon. To night I felt as if I was getting quite a cold so soaked my feet in hot water and went to bed rather early having spent the fore part of the evening reading "The Prince and the Pauper" which Aunt Ida gave me on Christmas. It has been a beautiful winter day, dull, frozen & not cold.

Friday January 3rd

This being Aunty's birthday we celebrated it over here by having the goose which Frank slew yesterday for dinner and accordingly Aunty, Aunty Alice, Aunt Ida and Marj. all came over to partake of it. Frank and I didn't do any thing but chores and visit. Marj. stayed to tea and for the evening but the rest of them went down before tea. Frank went down to the dance given by the Women's Institute to-night and I walked home with Marj. later. Dad. hasn't felt much better to-day. It has been a very nice day. Freezing hard to-night.

Saturday January 4th

Last night was the coldest we have had yet this winter, the mercury being at zero this morning, but it has been a nice day with quite a strong west wind. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town before dinner and stayed down all the afternoon. Frank and I just did chores and bagged up what apples were left out in the barn some of which were frozen like bricks. Frank hitched Mexico to the cart and we hauled them over to the house in it and put them down cellar. We spent most of the after noon in the house reading the mail. Chuck Harn was in for a few minutes with a petition to have The Marburg Station moved from where it is up to the Cheese Factory, so Frank and I signed it as we didn't care a cent where it was and thought they must want it changed.

Saturday January 5th

Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I didn't get down on account of the chores. None

of the rest of the family went down. I spent the after noon down at the Monteith's and came home to tea and to do chores. Lila was here to tea and She and I went down town right after tea as I wanted to get to church. We cut across the pond as there were a lot on it this after noon and I got my over coat full of pitch fork burrs getting up the hill. I went to church but was about half an hour late. I picked the burrs out of my over coat during the sermon. After church I went over and spent the evening with Marj. Tige McBride was down to-day to ask Frank and me to be bearers at Lee Boughner's funeral. He just home from France or England or where ever he was in the army the other day and died very suddenly yesterday. It hasn't been so cold to-day but freezing all day. Cloudy & breezy.

Monday January 6th

Frank and I spend most of our time these days just doing chores. I husked the rest of the corn we had up this morning and Frank and I got over some hay this afternoon. This was election day but Dad. didn't feel like going out to vote and I didn't want to take the time with the roads as rough as they are to drive way out to Wiggin's school house Jack Martin was in about four o'clock to get us to go out and vote for Hammond as he thought if he got in we might get the roads fixed up a little down in this end of the township. However we didn't go and Hammond got beaten by Gilbert by about 48 votes. In town R. M. Taylor beat Mat. Wilson for reeve and the council consists of Clare Deal, Jack Reynolds, Jim Bannister & Billy {Lamp?} I am afraid they are more inclined to be knockers than boosters but they may be all right. Enah and Tid went down to the Sunday school for tea to-night and for a concert afterwards in which all the kids took part. Frank went down after tea. Nice morning but rather blustery in after noon. Not cold.

Tuesday January 7th

We did all the chores up this morning so that we could go to Lee Boughner's funeral this after noon. Tom was over this morning greatly delighted at Hammond's defeat. Oscar Howden came in to drive him out to vote for Hammond but he walked out to Marburg so that he could vote as he pleased. We went up to the funeral this after noon and didn't put in such a bad time. Frank and I, Colin Lloyd, Tige and Lynn Waddle were bearers. Lynn would persist in expressing sentiments not suited to the

occasion which made it uncomfortable for the rest of us fellows during the service but we managed to pull through without disgracing ourselves and very unwillingly accepted the undertakers invitation to go in and have a look at Lee. Five returned soldiers came down from Simcoe to attend the funeral. They were a tough looking bunch. One had a glass eye and a stiff arm and another a game leg. They buried him in the Simcoe cemetry. I drove up with Lynn Waddle and Jack Maxwell. Lynn lit up his corn cob pipe just as we got started and and I don't think opened his mouth all the way up unless it was to make some coarse and ribald jest, one being that he thought Wess Boughner was damned stingy with his hard cider, as he hadn't offered us any. I came home with George Duncan as he was alone and could bring me closer to home. I transferred at his gate to Jack McBride's rig and when he turned in home I got in with Colin Ryerse & Frank and so got a ride home. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. and although we didn't have many out had a fairly good time. Everybody present performed in some way sang or read a poem out of my James Whitcomb Riley book it being Literary evening. We had some toast for refreshments. Very soft & mild. Snowing to-night.

Wednesday January 8th

Besides doing chores to-day Frank and I started to dig the straw out of the bottom of the west hay over in the old barn and put it up on the rails over head. Lorne Myers was in this morning to return Dad's probang. He borrowed it last night while we were down town to take a turnip out of his cow's throat. He wanted to know if we would like to try feeding some dried beet pulp as he was going to send for some so I told him to get us ten dollars's worth. To-night Frank and I went down town. I went over to the Monteith's for the evening. Frank intended to go to a soldier's concert which the I.O.D.E. were having but it was called off on account of the Holdin girls being sick, so he went up to Huby's and took Lila to the show. Aunty Alice sent to a Boston publishing Company for some plays for us to-night. A little colder to-day but nice.

Thursday January 9th

Frank and I finished covering the rails in the old barn with straw. We intended to get some more corn in and some hay over but the weather prevented us. It has been very blustery and blizzardy all day. It didn't snow any more but the high west wind kept what little had

fallen in the air all day. It was quite mild this morning but the mercury has been dropping all day and stands at zero to-night. This after noon the J.F.I.A. books came from "The Breeder's Gazette" Company so I spent this after noon looking through them. Charlie Shand was over and he and Frank went down to the dam to see if they were going to put the bridge back in place, but something went wrong with their plans so they didn't move it.

Friday January 10th

It has been still very windy all day, the wind was worse than yesterday but it has been much milder and was barely freezing this after-noon. Just did chores this morning and this after noon went up to Mat. Wilson's to pay him for the apple-barrels I got last fall. Sam Law had been thrashing there but had to stop as the wind was blowing their belt into the wheel and fraying it. I went over to Ham Thompson's for awhile to look at his calves. Frank went over to Quanbury's as he had promised to help them haul hay but as he thought they didn't go after any as the wind was too strong. I went down town to-night. They had a small fire at the dam last night.

Saturday January 11th

Frank and I fed up the stock this morning and then went out and got a small jag of corn shocks Tom and his grandson young Murrey Simpson came over and got a little jag of hay on his one horse waggon This after noon Frank went out with John Quanbury to Charlie's place and helped him put on a load of hay I did chores and husked enough corn stalks to feed the cows to-night. Aunty came over this after noon to see how Dad. was and he and Tid. walked back with her and stayed down to tea. Frank went down town to-night and I oiled the chicken's legs. Not so windy a little colder.

Saturday January 12th

Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I was doing chores till noon. Dad., Enah & Tid went down to Aunty's for dinner and Enah went to church. Frank Awde & Earl came to see Dad. just as I was going to eat and I left them here with Frank and went down town. I was down with Marj. all the after noon but came home to tea and do chores. I went down after tea but was too late to go to church. It has been mild and sunny to-day. Not much wind.

Monday January 13th

Frank and I loaded up the oats we cleaned out of the little box-stall in the horse stable and took them down to be chopped. There were 17 bags but we thought we might as well take them down as empty part of them. The water was low down there so we had to leave the grist there. Dad. walked over to John Wess's this morning and stayed to dinner. He was pretty tired when he got back and he says John Wess is in pretty bad shape too. This after noon Frank finished mending the box stall door and I helped him hang it and then husked a little corn. About four o'clock we went down and got our chop. We traded some oats off for a bag of oil cake. To-night Frank went down town to ask Zeitha Barwell if she would go to Simcoe with him to-morrow night as the J.F.I.A. all intended going up to the Rink for a skate, but Tige and Albert were down to-night and thought we had better call it off as there would be no ice, so we are going to leave it till to-morrow and see if it gets colder. Very mild and soft all day.

Tuesday January 14th

Dad. Enah and Tid all went down to Aunty's for dinner to-day as it was Aunt Ida's birthday. Frank and I did chores all morning and I husked corn. Tige McBride came down after dinner to tell us that he called up Simcoe this morning and found out that there wouldn't be any ice so we went down to Lloyd's to tell him to arrange for some thing at the club. Tige let most of the fellows know by telephone that the meeting would be at the club. Frank and I did up the chores early and Dad. and Tid came home about half past four. Enah went up to St. John's with Aunty Maude to hear some W.A. workers from the West. She came back on the seven o'clock car. Marj. had promised to go to the rink with me so when I told her we were going to meet at the club she went over there. There were ten or a dozen of the boys out and about eight girls so we had a very good time playing games and a little dancing. Crosby and Alex England went down and borrowed a fiddle from the Slocomb's and Charlie Blake furnished the music. Soft all day, colder to-night.

Wednesday January 15th

Dad. felt much better to-day and helped us all day and we got in two loads of corn. The second one we

got were little ones with not much corn in it so we brought them in to feed to the cows without husking. We had a visit from a pail pedlar and got three pails from him. To-night I went down to see Marj. for awhile. Mild but frozen.

Thursday January 16th

John Quanbury came over this morning before we through breakfast to get Frank to go and help him saw up part of the spruce tree which he cut down at Mrs. Battersby's about a month ago. The butt of it is a big log and John can't saw it alone. We had figured on getting in some more corn but Dad. and I put off what we brought in last night but didn't go after any more. Frank came in at noon and he and I got in a load this after noon. Dad. was very much annoyed not to be able to help us but Jackie Pickford came over for a visit and Dad. couldn't shake him he was here all the after noon. We didn't bring in a big load of corn as we don't pile it up on the rack but try to keep each shock seperate so that we won't pull them to pieces when we unload. We didn't unload it to-night but emptied the chop we got the other day into Ed's big bin as we saw one of the cats with a big rat and were afraid to leave it in the bags any longer. Frank and I had hoped to go for a skate to-night but it has been very soft all day and is barely freezing to-night so we stayed home and read over the Shakespeare plays which Aunty Alice got for us for a J.F.I.A. performance.

Friday January 17th

Frank went over to help John Quanbury again this morning. Dad. and I did chores and unloaded the corn Frank and I brought in yesterday. Aunty Alice came over to dinner. This after noon Dad. Frank and I put on a jag of hay to haul over to the old barn, we would have hauled more but McEwen came down to look at the sheep. He said he wanted to get some ewes for some fellow and asked me if I would take $35.00 apiece for the ewes we culled out and marked for sale in the fall, so I told him we would as the market seems very uncertain and we need the money. I am to call him up to-morrow night to find out whether it is a sale or not. He also offered me $15.00 apiece for the old ewes we sold to Niel Elliott, so I will have to find out from Niel whether he will let me off the deal. I

tried to telephone him to-night but he wasn't home. Alan Law came in before McEwen left for Dad. to look at his mare. He is afraid she has an attack of asoturia. Enah went down town with Aunty Alice this after noon and had two teeth out. Frank went down to the Women's Institute dance to-night and I went skating on the pond I was surprised to find it so good as it has been very soft all day, but the ice was hard.

Saturday January 18th

Frank went over this morning and finished helping John Quanbury cut up the spruce tree. Dad. Tid and I drove down to Sam Law's and gave Alan's mare a ball, she didn't seem very sick. When we got back I went over to Martin's to see the bunch of chickens they had all ready to ship to Madison Square gardens this after noon. I also went down to Quanbury's to telephone Niel Elliott but he wasn't home. This after noon Dad. finished cleaning a couple of chickens he killed this morning and Frank finished making a crate to weigh sheep in. We then brought the scales over from the old barn and weighed the three ram lambs we sold to Niel. {Hray?} weighed 87 lbs and the other two 100 & 105. I went down town to-night and called up Niel and McEwen. Niel told me to go ahead and sell the old ewes if I could get any more out of them but when I got McEwen he told me he hadn't been able to see the man that he was buying for so said I hadn't better keep them on the chance of him taking them. I was in at Aunty's on my way home. Aunty is very grieved over the cutting down of the old poplar tree in front of the old Mrs. Bagley house. It was the largest tree of its kind I ever saw and one of the most beautiful trees in town. It is far older than any one living can remember and the trunk was sound as could be. The weather is still very mild and Spring like. Didn't freeze to-night.

Sunday January 19th

Frank went down to Sunday school and I went down to church this morning Dad. has fell well enough to do chores to-day. Enah was to have played the organ this morning but felt too sick. She has felt miserable since having her teeth out. Aunty came over to dinner with us. I went down town this after noon and Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen. Marj. &

Essie went to Hamilton yesterday to see Robert Mantell in "The Merchant of Venice" and Marj. said it was great. I stayed down at Aunty's to tea and went to church with Aunty Alice. Spent the evening with Marj. Very mild. Feels like April instead of January.

Monday January 20th

Dad. went over to Flemming's this morning to thrash while Frank and I took our sheep down to Niel's. He made the two old ewe's weigh 30 lbs more than we did so we didn't lose anything by not letting McEwen have them after all. The lambs lost 10 lbs according to Niel going down but the five head brought us $67.00. We brought home a load of coal with us as one had just come in. It was chestnut and pea coal mixed so was not nearly as good as the last stove coal we got. Dad. stayed down to Flemming's to dinner and Frank went down to change places with him after dinner. There was a letter in the mail addressed to Mr. Barratt and Rush on it. We expected Dad. home any minute so put it away for him. He was about half an hour getting home and when he opened it found it was from Lloyd-Jones letting me to meet him as he was coming down on the 3 o'clock car, consequently I had to step lively to make the car. Dad. went back over to Flemming's to let Frank come home and seperate some of the smallest ewe lambs in case Lloyd-Jones wanted to buy any. I took him up to Ham's before I brought him over here and Ham sold him his two best ram lambs and his five ewe lambs. He then came over to our place and bought the five ewes we had picked out and begged so hard for some more that we picked out Nos. 2 & 3 four year old ewes of old Splitears and sold him the seven for $225.00. The little yearling the "baby" we considered worth $15.00 and the others $35.00 apiece I took Lloyd-Jones back to catch the five o'clock car. Frank didn't think it worthwhile going back to Flemming's so Dad. has thrashed nearly all day and feels pretty tired to-night. It has been a beautiful, mild Spring like day.

Tuesday January 21st

Frank went over to thrash again this morning and has been away all day. They finished at Flemming's before dinner and moved to Martin's where they had a

very steady run all the after noon. Frank says they will finish there in a couple of hours. Dad. and I went down this morning and got a load of soft coal. Dad. walked down and I had the coal on when he got down as he stopped in at Aunty's for awhile. I saw the station agent who told me we could have a car to-morrow after noon to ship the sheep but when we found the thrashers would be here so early we thought we had better put off the shipping a day so I saw the agent again to-night and he said it would suit him better not to let us have the car till Thursday. Enah went down to the dentist this after noon so I sent down all the certificates to be transferred with her to post. Dad. and I did chores this after noon and I unloaded the soft coal some of it at the barn to thrash with us and the rest of it in the wood shed. Frank and I went to J.F.I.A. to-night. We had a pretty fair crowd out and spent the evening deciding on a play to get up. We at last picked on Julius Caesar. There was a grand dance on in the hall to-night for the employees of the Foundation Company. Ham and I went up after the club to find the station agent as he was one of the guests, they were all up in the Red Cross rooms having supper. {illegible} Spring

Wednesday January 22nd

Frank went over to Martin's for a little while this morning and came back while they were putting through the chaff to help us get ready for them. They got over here and set up and thrashed about an hour before dinner and ran steadily all the after noon finishing up soon after five. We got about ten bushels of nice looking seed two bushels of which were from the chaff and may not be quite so heavy as the other. I didn't do very much as Tom came over and we had lots of help. Tom gave me four dollars which he got for the old hens and two dollars for eggs and this after noon I got a letter from Neff with a cheque in it for ten dollars to pay my expenses at Guelph and also my score cards. I went down to see Marj. to-night.

Thursday January 23rd

It was very misty this morning and soon turned to rain which kept up all day some times raining quite hard. Frank went over to Pickford's to see if they would thrash but neither Sam nor Alan put in an appearance. I drove down town before dinner to see where our car was to ship the sheep in and thought I would get Joe shod. I didn't have

time to get her shod before dinner so thought as I had her down and she was badly in need of it I had better have her shod after so I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and by the time I got home it was half past three. We then had to hurry to get the sheep loaded {illegible words} there and as it was Frank and I {illegible words} after six. Dad. went down with us and {illegible words} home. The sheep go out on a night {illegible words} morning and appeared to be {illegible words}.

Friday January 24th

Frank went down to Pickford's to thrash this morning {illegible words} as they started up about the middle of {illegible words}. They finished there this after noon and then moved down to {illegible} and thrashed him out in an hour or two and Frank didn't get back till dark. Dad. and I did chores and and Dad. battoned up the north end of the calve's pen. I started to read after dinner and went to sleep for quite awhile {illegible words} for awhile this after noon to get the number of the old ram Enah and Frank went down to the Library dance to-night & I went down town and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. I went down to Aunty's and found Roy there. He came in on the nine o'clock car. I went up to the hall to call for Enah about half past eleven as she didn't want to stay too late. There was certainly a jamboree up there in the hallway was packed so full a fellow could hardly move and couldn't see across the room for smoke. Colder & windy.

Saturday January 25th

Dad. Frank and I have been hauling in corn all day we got in six rack loads averaging about ten shocks to the load and put it up over the granary where the clover seed was. We got some of the best corn in the field and some of it was very goodlooking. Roy came over to tea to-night and Dad. walked back with him to-night {illegible words} saw several little door mice in the corn field to-day. They are very pretty and unlike the field mice which always make for another shock cross-country when the shock they have been inhabiting is lifted off them and are generally caught by the dogs, the door mice always try to climb out of harm's reach. One of them ran up one of the spokes in the front wheel and sat on the front bolster of the waggon for a long time and a couple ran up the horse's legs. Beautiful Spring day again. Muddy this afternoon.

Sunday January 26th

Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. Enah and Tid went down to church but I didn't go down as I didn't get the chores done in time. This after noon I went down town after Frank and I had our lunch, the rest of them stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. Marj. and I went down and called on the Bailies and then went over to the Paterson's but they weren't home so we walked up Main St. and met Miss Martin who was en route to the Sunday school to number some books in the library so we went down with her and helped her or at least Marj. did. We then went down to Aunty's to tea. Enah and Winnie were also there. They and Roy and Aunty went to church but Aunty Alice, Aunt Ida and Marj. & I didn't go. Beautiful day. West Wind.

Monday January 27th

We hauled in corn all day again to-day and got the field cleared this side of the potato ground. We also have the mow about full. Pickford came over this after noon and told us he had sold his best clover seed for twenty three dollars per bushel and his lower grade for twenty one. Edmonds bought it but didn't want to buy much. It is queer that it is so hard to sell and yet the price is so high. Another fine day. Muddy this after noon.

Tuesday January 28th

We hauled in another load of corn this morning from the north side of the potato patch but there was no room for it in the mow so we left it on the waggon. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and caught the one o'clock car for Simcoe to attend the annual meeting of the Norfolk Co-Operative Association. There was a good turnout and the report of the business done was very satisfactory for the first year. They had $1136.31 profit, $1000 of which they will divide among the members giving them 2 1/2% rebate on the business they did with the Association. Burnaby the President of the United Farmers of Ontario Co-Operative Co. was there and gave us a talk on organization I came home on the 7 o'clock car and had tea at Aunty's. Corby was at the station waiting around to go to the J.F.I.A. He had been in Simcoe but had driven his mother down to Dover and they had gone on home, so I invited him up to Aunty's for supper. He came. Frank came down and we

all went up to the club. There weren't many out but as our books came we went over the play and it sounded pretty fair. Dad. and Frank got another load of coal this after noon and hauled it over the new bridge, the first time any of us have driven over it. A little colder to-day. Cloudy.

Wednesday January 29th

Dad. and Frank went down to Sam Law's to thrash this morning and Frank was gone all day. Dad. got home soon after dinner. I first did chores this morning and husked some corn. This after noon I drove up to Ham Thompson's and got a Barred Rock cockrell to mate with my four pullets. I also stopped in at the mill and paid $25.00 on my account. I went down town to-night and Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's. It has not been very cold to-day but a raw wind. March weather.

Thursday January 30th

I went over to Tupper's this morning to get him to come over and help us slay swine so he told Dad. he would come when we were ready to convert our two into pork. He was milking when I got there and I had to wait till he had breakfast so it was rather late when we got over here and got started and as a natural consequence long after noon when we finished. However we got the job done very well. Tupper brought over a little block and tackle outfit he had so that eliminated all heavy lifting to scald them or hang them up as we fixed up a scaffold and had a rail out of the upstairs door of the shop to hang them on and the barrel of water right under. They were a nice pair one dressed 232 lbs and the other 205 I think. Tupper had dinner here and we didn't do a thing till chore time but visit. He entertained us by relating anecdotes of folks up around the district between Simcoe and Waterford. He seems to know every one up there and has very funny stories to tell of all of them, and they lose nothing by him telling it either. Tom came in about half past four and got two or three bags of clover chaff for bedding. He also got my two cockrels which I sold him for a dollar apiece. I went down town to night and Frank and Enah and I went to hear Miss Wade at the Sunday school lecture on China. She was staying at Aunty's and we saw her afterwards down there. She was very interesting. Nice day. Freezing to-night.

Friday January 31st

Dad. spent all the morning and I think most of the after noon cutting up the pigs. Frank and I cut a piece off the straw stack and hauled it over to the horse stable. This after noon Frank went down to the Customs office to get his Roth Memory Course which he sent for the other day. I hooked up and went over to Lorne Myer's and to Lloyd Crysler's to get them to take part in Julius Caeser. I don't know whether they will or not as they both seemed loth to tackle it. I was at Lloyd's quite awhile visiting with him and Hannah and listening to their Pathé phonegraph. To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank went to the Women's Institute dance and I spent the evening at Monteith's. Ed. Moon was over here all the after noon. Windy and a little colder.

Saturday February 1st

Dad. put the pork in pickle this morning and was glad to find he could get it all in his barrel. Frank and I hauled a load of hay over to the old barn and put it off. This after noon we hauled in three more loads of corn and put two of them off over the west bay in the old barn on top of what we hauled first. The third load we left in the rack. Enah went down town this after noon and Dad. went down to-night to take Aunty a piece of pork. They had a letter from Quint saying that he hoped to be home by the end of March.

Sunday February 2nd

Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah and I walked down to church. Aunty came over with Enah and Frank but I stayed down with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida to dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's. I had tea at Aunty's and Aunty, Aunt Ida and I went to church. I spent the evening at the Monteith's. Lila was over here to tea with her eukalalie. Frank went down with her to-night and overtook me on my way home. Beautiful day, a little colder.

Monday February 3rd

We hauled in more corn to-day and got in the best of it. This after noon Dad. burned off the corner field as it burned so well while Frank and I were putting on the last load. We put on

a big load and left it on the waggon. Ham Thompson was down this morning to see if I was going to Brantford to-morrow. We decided to go on the nine o'clock car. Frank went down town to-night to stay {words illegible} as he is going to leave for Toronto in the morning {words illegible} in the Sheep Breeder's meeting. Beautiful day very mild.

Tuesday February 4th

Ham, Frank and I all went up on the nine o'clock car this morning. We left Frank at {illegible} and the went to Hamilton by radial. Ham and I {words illegible} for Brantford at 10.45. There was quite a {illegible} on the train bound for the Lloyd Jones sale and they all got off at Mt. Vernon so we {piled off too?} and had to walk over a mile to the farm. We had dinner at Lloyd Jone's as soon as we got there. Ham {words illegible} in with a Mr. Gould from the American Sheep {Association?} and after dinner we had a look at all the prize winners and cups before we went out. He had quite a {words illegible} of them. The sale lasted all the after noon as the bidding was rather slow. There were few buyers and they didn't run things up all high. Our old ewes brought $40.00 apiece and the others ${34.00?} and $39. Six of them were sold in pairs but the little one was sold singly and brought $20.00 so he didn't make a very big profit on any of our stuff but one of Ham's ram lambs brought $48.00. He sold all his at $50.00 apiece but some of the ewes lambs didn't bring that much and the other ram just brought {illegible}. We hung around and nearly froze all the after noon and about four o'clock Mr. Gould struck out for Mt. Vernon to catch the train for Brantford, but we wanted to get our checks if possible from Lloyd-Jones before we left {illegible} waited as he promised to get us to Brantford in time to catch the six car, so we waited. The sale lasted right up to the minute we had to leave so we couldn't get our money and he sent us in to Brantford in his Ford. A fellow came with us who was very anxious to get a six o'clock train for Toronto but just about two miles out of Brantford we had a blowout, so had to stop to put on a new tire. The Toronto man hailed another car going in with a load so may have caught his train but ours had gone when we got to town so we had to wait for the eight o'clock car. We had a good supper which we were might glad to get at the Royal Café and then played a couple of games of Pool before the car came in. I saw

Mrs Dell on the car. She had been down at Cobury to see Roy and says he his just about alright again. We went up to the J.F.I.A. social evening. I stopped in at Aunty's first. We put in the time in the usual manner up there and I got home at three o'clock. Rained this morning. Freezing to-night.

Wednesday February 5th

Dad. and I did chores this morning but not much else. This after noon I went over to Lorne Myer's and got the beet pulp he ordered for us. It is queer looking stuff and very bulky. A cwt. bag being about as big as a bluegrass sack. We put a little of it to soak to feed the cows to-morrow. To-night I went down town and Marj. and I went skating, we called in and got Zeitha to go with us. Ed. Turner, Woodger, Leggit, Mr. Bagley & Essie were down there and as the ice was pretty good we had a good skate. It has been colder to-day, but fair.

Thursday February 6th

Dad. went down to Alfred's this morning to borrow the screens of his fanning mill which he uses to clean clover seed as we want to get ours cleaned up. Ham was talking to a fellow at the sale on Tuesday and he said they had no clover seed to sow up there and the Woodstock seed merchants were asking $32.00 a bushel for it. Ham told him he could get 100 bushels down this way for $25.00 or less so he took Ham's name and said he would put it up to his club and try to get them to give us an order. This after noon I went down town as notice of a registered letter came and as I suspected it was the pedigree for the sheep and found I was correct. I posted them again to Lloyd-Jones before I came home. To-night Enah and I went down to the hall to see the boys that are home from the front get their five dollar gold pieces or whatever the town was giving them. Ron. Taylor was doing the presenting and Mr. Johnson calling out the names of the men. Most of them had got their souvenir when we got there but we heard Ed Moon and Ed Turner make little speeches. They had a dance afterwards and we stayed till about midnight.

Friday February 7th

We didn't do any thing much to-day but chores and sit around and read. We heard last night that the Sloan's had got a letter from Willie posted at Tokio

so Dad. has been looking for one from Dick as we thought they were on the same boat but have found out since that Willie Sloan sailed about a week earlier than Dick. I went skating to-night and had a fine time. Miss McQueen went down and afterwards Marj. Ed. Turner and I went in to her place and had coffee & cake. As I was going through Martin's to-night I was very surprised to meet Frank he had come home on the seven o'clock car. He went home and then came down to the pond. Still fine and mild.

Saturday February 8th

We cleaned off the barn floor this morning and put our clover seed through the mill. It didn't clean out much and what seed went behind we put through again and will keep it to sow as there are no very bad weed seeds in it. We will have about six bushels or more to sell and plenty to sow. We also put through a sample of oats to take to Simcoe as Neff is buying seed oats for the Government at 80 cts per bushel to send out West and Johnson is handling them for 5 cts per bushel. The market price is about sixty cts. Frank and I went skating again to-night. The pond is great now up above where it was frozen before as it has risen and made new ice. It is still beautiful weather may be a little colder but very little.

Sunday February 9th

I actually got ready in time for Sunday school this morning and went down. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon went up to see Marj. We sat around the house all the after noon as it was snowing hard when I went up. We went down to Aunty's for tea and Aunty Alice, Marj. and I all went to church Huby and Aunty Maude came back to Aunty's with us and we spent the evening there. It didn't snow much. Colder.

Monday February 10th

We spent the day hauling out clover chaff on the wheat to-day. We hauled it out on the rack and Frank and I pitched it off and spread it as well as we could and Dad. followed us and shook it out more, as we didn't want to get it on too thick. We got it all out and it covered two bands the full length of the feild and a piece at

each end of the next two bands. We also got in another jag of corn. Charlie Munroe was in this morning and sold Dad. a piece of beef. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle were in for a few minutes at noon. Dad. and Enah had intended to go out to see them to-night to ask them over to dinner on Thursday. They did go to-night any way. Frank went skating but I stayed home so that Tid wouldn't be alone he is asleep. Beautiful day. Mild. Frank told us when he got home about Toddy West, his little brother and Johnnie Miller being drowned in the lake this after noon. The little West fellow got in through the ice first and then Teddy tried to save him. He got in and Johnny tried to get him out. Young Gunton was with them and he yelled for help and Capt. McCauly & Ed Moon waded in and got them all out but although they worked on them for a couple of hours or more they couldn't save them.

Wednesday Tuesday February 11th

We got the spreader out this morning and have been hauling out manure from around the stack to too wheat all day and got out 12 loads. We were a little afraid to tackle it at first for fear the ground being so hard would do some damage to the spreader but it didn't seem to hurt it any. Mr. Nixon and Willie were in for a few minutes this after noon to look at the stack. Enah and Tid. drove Mexico down town after some coal-oil this after noon. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. but as usual there were very few there. Very mild all day looks like snow.

Wednesday February 12th

It snowed a little last night but soon melted off to-day as it has been very mild up around 40°. Frank and I hauled manure all day and got out 12 more loads. We started in on the pile at the horse stable this after noon. Dad. spent most of the day killing and picking the four ducks that were left to provide the dinner for Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle to-morrow night. To-night Enah, Frank and I went down to Aunty Alice's party. Lila, Winnie, Dess, Fraser, Marj. Zeitha, Bill {illegible} Tige McBride and Huby were all there, and Huby provided the principal entertainment naturally but Zeitha did some very nice singing for us and Bill performed on Lila's Ukalele. We also had various forms of guessing contests, the chief amusement derived from them were Huby's answers

Thursday February 13th

Frank and I got out six more loads of manure this morning but quit early to go to Simcoe this after noon. We both went up and I went to the Co-operative meeting and Frank did shopping. He got some rock-salt & gut and got the harness we left at Church's. He said he couldn't fix it so we left it at Herb. Woods. We had an interesting meeting although there were not many out. Mr. Gordon from the Livestock branch was there to talk about shipping Livestock co-operatively and Mr. Kerr from P.E. Island told about their successful co-operative egg-marketing business down there. Prof Graham was also there but I didn't have time to wait till the meeting was over as Frank and I had to leave at four o'clock to get home in good time for supper. Dad. had most of the chores done when we got home. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle were here to tea and spent the evening. Frank went down to a birthday party at Myrtle Greenbury's Very mild, roads in beautiful shape. Raining to-night.

Friday February 14th

It rained hard during the night so that we couldn't go on with the manure hauling. I took Daisy May over to Tupper's and while I was gone Alan Law came after Frank and the clippers to clip his horse. He was down there to dinner. This after noon Dad. and I drove down to Wess & George Fields to see their Shorthorns and were very agreeably surprised at the bunch we saw. They have seven or eight cows of very uniform type and all thick smoothe and low down. They had two very fine yearling heifers all of Scotch breeding. Their $500.00 Imported two-year bull is very smoothe and stylish looking but doesn't look as if he would make a very big bull. We went from there down to Blake's and I left some "Breeder's Gazettes" for Charlie to get pointers for his debate from. The roads were awful and consequently we were late getting home. We came up the Plank and through town as it was better than the back way. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to the W.I. dance. Still mild but drizzly.

Saturday February 15th

We didn't do much to-day but chores. Frank and I husked some corn this morning and this after noon bagged up all the barley and oats that were left (about 10 bags)

to take to the mill but as it was so wet we didn't go. Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea to-night. Marion McLaughlin was over all the after noon playing with Tid. It has been colder to-day and snowed a little this after noon.

Sunday February 16th

Frank went to Sunday school this morning and I left here with the intention of going but when I got within sight of the town clock and found it to be a quarter after ten I decided to wait till church time so went back to Aunty's and read for awhile and then went to church, sat in the back seat with Frank, Lloyd Ryerse and a stranger and disgraced myself by going to sleep during the Litany dreaming of something funny and waking up laughing. I partook of dinner at Aunty's and also tea, accompanied Aunty to church this evening and spent the after noon and evening with Marj. at the Monteiths. Soft during day. Colder to-night.

Monday February 17th

I have put in a pretty idle day. This morning Frank and I went down to the mill this morning with the grain we bagged up on Saturday and from there on down town to the Widespread where I got my trap nest which Emery made for me. We got our chop on our way home.This after noon I just sat around and read. Dad. and Frank put on a load of hay and hauled it over to the horse stable. Enah and Tid drove Miss Phipps over to McPherson's for her to see a dinner-waggon Emery is making for her. To-night I went down to Aunty's for tea as she invited me to go to the picture show with her. Marj. was there too and we three went to see Margurite Clark in "The Seven Swans". It was about the prettiest and all-round nicest show I ever saw. Aunty is very distressed about my ribs hurting so much and thinks I should go to the doctor. Colder but fine all day. Snowing quite hard to-night.

Tuesday February 18th

I haven't done any thing in the shape of work to-day but this after noon went down and had the doctor examine my ribs where I hurt them a couple of weeks ago as the last few days they have pained considerably when I tried to work. He said the bone was not hurt but put some adhesive tape banadages around me which promise to be very uncomfortable. I got my hair cut and stayed at Aunty's to tea. Huby was there too as he came to take

a couple of pictures out of a tube which Quint sent to Aunty. Enah & Tid. drove Mexico down this after noon and Enah went to help her mother tend store as her father went to Hamilton to a trade banquet this after noon. Dad. and Frank spent most of the day doing chores and getting over some straw for the horse stable. Dad had a long, interesting and as it is the first one we have got since New Year's, very welcome letter from Dick. It was posted at Vladivostock and tells mostly of his trip across the Pacific. He went as we supposed on the S.S. Protosilous (or some such name) {Protesilaus} and although he was luckier than most in escaping sea-sickness, they had some very bad storms, and it was in a typhoon that the ship lost one of her propellers. She was a twin screw however, so could make port on her own steam. He had not seen much of the city when he wrote as they were quartered two miles out in barracks built by the Russians in the Russian - Japanese war. Typhus was prevalent in town so he didn't intend going in much. He said there was nothing to go in for any way as he couldn't talk to the shop-keepers and although there was a picture-show, it seldom ran for when it did there was not enough power left to run the street cars. I went up to the J.F.I.A. to-night and althoug we had a fair crowd out most of them couldn't wait but hiked for the dance in the hall which Jack Riddel & Pete Holmes the station agent are putting on to-night. We had a sort of debate on the Horse vs. Tractor and Frank had the best prepared lot of points in favor of the Tractor, but was the only one evidently who had put any time on it. I went back down to Aunty's after the meeting and found Dad. and Tid. there. Dad. having come down to go with Enah and Tid. to see the "Seven Swans". Dad told me to stay all night so that I could hook Mexico up for Enah in the morning as she stayed all night with her mother. The flags are floating at half-mast to-day in memory of Sir Wilfred, whose death was reported in to-day's papers. We all realize that with him Canada has lost the greatest orator and statesman of the day and that it may be years before Parliament has another man his equal. There has been quite a change in the weather lately and we are now having quite seasonable weather but not much snow.

Wednesday February 19th

I was spending a very enjoyable hour in bed this morning awake but, knowing I didn't have to get up till Aunty & Aunty Alice did, when Aunty came in with the alarming anouncement that she thought I had better stay in bed all day or at least till she went up and got the doctor and threatened to bring me my breakfast in bed. She had heard me cough as I have quite a cold and was afraid that I might contract pleurisy where my ribs were sore and maybe the flu so was quite worried. I did my best to allay her fear and did persuade her to let me get up and eat breakfast like a Christain but she was bound to go and interview the doctor. He said there was no danger what ever so that relieved her. I sat around there and read till about eleven when Enah came down. I hooked Mexico up for her and she drove home but I walked having had all the ride I wanted behind Mexico in his cart coming around the block. I didn't do much this after noon but sit around and read. Dad. and Frank hauled over another load of straw and put it off in the horse stable. Geordie Boughner was in looking at Dad's steers this after noon but didn't buy. We also had a visit from old Broadley and the famous Rachel. He was collecting stallion fees and after looking at Bell decided we owed him seven and a half although Dad. doesn't think she is in foal. However I paid him. He allowed seventy five cents a trip for his meals last summer, otherwise the fees would have been fifteen dollars. I went down town to-night and Aunty Alice gave me a ticket to Miss Crydon's music pupils' recital as the I.O.D.E. were selling the tickets to raise funds to buy a flag for the school-house Aunty Alice had bought two. She went with Cousin Loll and I went up to Monteith's and found Marj. had bought a ticket also so we started off for the concert. I considering it a treat for me and a Dutch treat for Marj. On the way down we thought better of it as no-body seemed to anticipate much of a concert and went down and spent a very nice evening at Miss McQueen's. I called in at Aunty's on my way home and Aunty Alice informed me that the concert was the worst she had ever experienced. It consisted chiefly of violin selections by Miss Crydons pupils and the fiddles were not in tune and the fiddlers couldn't play anyway. One lady recited and she stuttered. The best performer was a little Mitchell but her unlady like posture and fondness for chewing gum distressed Aunty Alice terribly.

Thursday February 20th

Dad and Frank hauled over another load of straw to the horse stable this morning and I helped them mow it away. I didn't do much though as the adhesive tape on by back and ribs makes the skin irritable and rather sore when I work. Aunty Alice came over for a little while after dinner but didn't stay long. Enah & Tid drove down town as Enah had to go to the dentist and Dad. and Frank went back and cut a little basswood along John Wess's line. I read all the after noon. The two books which should have come before with the ones we ordered for the J.F.I.A. came to-day, "Feeds & Feeding" and "The Road to Dumbiedykes". To-night Dad.& Enah after leaving Tid in care of the Sandman went down to call on the Pickford's and didn't get home till about midnight. Frank and I read till we got sleepy and then went to bed. Nice day.

Friday February 21st

Didn't do much but chores this fore noon & didn't do many of them. Dad. oiled the buggy and Frank went down town and borrowed Aunty Alice's fur coat to go to Walsh this after noon. He and I left here about half past twelve to go to a sale which we saw advertised down town and at which there was to be a pure-bred Shorthorn heifer sold. The place was about half a mile east of Walsh Methodist church and on the fifth concession of Charlotteville. We found the place without much trouble inquiring once at the half-way house and arrived just before the sale commenced about half past two. We found the cow we had come to see but found she was some of Charlie Dunkin's stock which he had neglected to keep registered so that she was ineligible. She was a very nice smoothe and deep three-year-old but was rather small and didn't show signs of being much of a milker so we decided that unless we could buy her for for less than $85.00 we would leave her and as Bill Bickler bid $87.00 on her we left her. The rest of the stock was very ordinary looking and so was the crowd, natives of the blow-sand all, and as we weren't enjoying ourselves particularly we left as soon as the cattle were sold and were home by about five. The roads weren't bad for the most part but we were soaked as it snowed steadily all the time and was very soft. It was an old fashioned snow-storm, great big flakes coming straight down. I went down town to-night. It is still very soft.

Saturday February 22nd

Dad. and Frank spent the morning remodeling the calf pen. They moved the bars back about six feet so that there will be room in front of them to tie Dad's steers and they intend taking the two heifer calves out from the rest. I intended going out to the Shand's with the bobsleighs after dinner to borrow their scale rack so that we could weigh the steers but by the after dinner the snow had all melted off so that I didn't go as I didn't want to take the waggon. I peeled the bandages of my ribs to-day as they were getting quite irritable. I havent felt any the worse for it. Very soft. Cloudy this after noon.

Sunday February 23rd

Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and I started but was so late I didn't go. We both went to church. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and tea, went to church with Aunty Alice and spent the after noon and evening at the Monteiths. Rainy.

Monday February 24th

Dad. and Frank finished fixing over the calf pen this morning and we got Dad's steer in and tied him up. We put the young fellow we have had in beside him for awhile but they seemed disposed to fight so we seperated them again. I went over to Jack Martin's this morning to have my incubator thermometer tested and to invite Chris down to a band meeting which was called for to-night to reorganize. Clare Deal asked me to bring Chris down. This after noon Dad. and Frank went back and cut some more basswood and I put up some posts in the old barn to fix bars to so that we can have a couple of box stalls in the west bent for calves and freshening cows. To-night I went down to the band meeting and we had a very good turn-out of the old band boys and some new ones who were willing to join. The council was represented by R.M. Taylor. Clare Deal & Jack Reynolds. {Mid?} Thompson was appointed secretary and authorized to get some music and it was decided that we meet next Monday and collect all the instruments that can be located. Taylor promised all financial support needed. Dad. had another long letter from Dick to-day written just a month ago. Canadians are in action now in the Murman region & defeating Bolsheviki. Beautiful day.

Tuesday February 25th

Dad. and Frank went back to the bush this morning and cut basswood till noon. They didn't return after dinner on account of it looking so rainy. Dad. fixed up some cross partitions over in the barn to make boxstalls and Frank tried to get his forge going. I spent the day doing chores and cleaning out the chickens sheds and putting fresh straw in. To-night Frank and I went down to J.F.I.A. social evening. We had a good turn out of girls and the usual crowd of boys. Got home about two o'clock. Mild and rainy all day, snow & colder to-night.

Wednesday February 26th

After we did chores up this morning Dad. and Tid. went down to see how Aunty Alice was as she has been feeling quite sick. They stayed to dinner. I put some more brine in the pork barrel and then Frank and I sent out a bunch of cards to the J.F.I.A. members notifying them of the annual meeting next Tuesday. When Dad. got back we took Pommers out on the rein and found he hadn't forgotten any of his last winter's lessons. When we brought him in Dad. & I battened up part of the west end of the barn to make a boxstall suitable for Elgitha to inhabit. Enah drove down town with Mexico this after noon. I went down town to-night. It has been cold all day with a very cold west wind. It feels as if we were going to get our winter now but Dad. and Tid. saw a robin down near Woodson's this morning and Dad. & Frank saw a groundhog yesterday I set an incubator yesterday, the little one I got from Art.

Thursday February 27th

Dad. and Frank went back to the bush this morning and Dad. was back till noon. Frank came up early to get ready to go to Simcoe this after noon. Neff is having a short course to-day & to-morrow on the care of gasoline engines so Frank went up to it. I did chores this morning and took Pommers out for a little exercise. The road was too rough to let him trot and follow him so I took him in the corner field. I sat around most of the after noon & read. Marj. came over to tea and after tea the Ukelele Club came over to spend the evening, and of all the racket I ever heard, they made the most. I couldn't see or hear very much music about it though. No wind to-day but rather cold.

Friday February 28th

We haven't seen Frank all day. He stayed at Aunty's last night and went up to Simcoe on the nine car. He intended to see the hockey match at the rink to-night between Simcoe and Niagara Falls, come down on the eleven and go to the Women's Institute dance in the hall. Dad. & I just did chores this morning and I took Pommers out for a little more exercise. Dad. went back to the bush right after dinner. I went back about three o'clock but didn't do any thing. We did the chores up fairly early and to-night Marj. and I went to a concert in the Methodist church. It was put on by a travelling company comprising a pianist, vocalist, elocutionist and violinist. The pianist was a blind man and although he could play beautifully, it gave a fellow the "Willies" to look at him as he looked like a mechanical ghost. All the performers were very good but the violinist took my fancy. I almost wished she had been the whole show as I never heard any violin sound so sweet. I was in at Aunty's quite awhile on my way home as Roy was there having come in on the seven o'clock car to spend Sunday. Huby was down there when I went down with a medal which Lila had just received for a first prize on an essay she had written on the "Victory Loan". It has been very mild all day with a strong south wind. It rained hard this evening during the concert but had cleared off when I went home and the wind had gone around to the west getting stronger & colder.

Saturday March 1st

The advent of this March has been of the most approved lion-like type. It was a ferocious wind all night and morning and much colder although milder and calmer more calm this after noon. Frank got home some time before daylight and said he had seen the hockey match. We thought it would be too soft but he said they played a good game in spite of the water on the ice. The score was 8 - 5 in favor of the Falls. Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning so see his steers and was over there all morning. Tupper was showing him some great bargain he got in used uniforms up at {Brauk's?} Shoddy Mill so this after noon Frank rode his wheel up to see what he could do. He left his wheel up there

to be overhauled and as he was too late for the five car walked home with his purchases getting here about half past six. He got a dandy officers greatcoat very little worn for $3.50 two or three pairs of riding breeches & slacks for $1.00 a pair, two tunics one of them a red Mounted Police one for $1.00 a piece two pairs of putties for 26 cts and a couple of caps thrown in for souvenirs. He says they have heaps of them up there but he didn't have time to pick over any more. The ones he got though are good all a little worn. I cleaned out the chicken pen this after noon where the roosters were as I may want it for little chickens soon.

Sunday March 2nd

Frank and I went to Sunday school this morning and I actually got there in good time. Enah drove down to church with Tid. and after church Marj. came home with them and the Mexico-cart outfit. Roy was in church and I walked home with him as he came over here to dinner. We sat around and visited all the after noon and Roy went down town before tea. Marj. stayed here to tea and didn't go to church to-night. Dad. went down this evening to see how Aunt Ida was as she has been pretty sick. I drove Marj. home a little late and then called for Dad. and drove him home. It has been a beautiful spring day.

Monday March 3rd

Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompson's this morning with Knockfierna and were up there till nearly noon looking at the stock which looks fine. This after noon Dad. and Frank went back to the bush. I took Pommers out on the line but he got away from me. He didn't do any thing mean but just got cantering faster than I could and as I couldn't stop long enough to brace myself to hold him I had to let go. He ran up and down the lane and got the lines plastered with mud but I didn't have much trouble catching him when I got up to him. Enah and Tid drove down town this after noon and stayed to tea at Huby's. Frank went down there to tea also and they all went to see Uncle Tom's Cabin to-night in the hall. I went down to the band meeting and left my horn there. We didn't do much at the meeting but spent most of the time watching the show It seemed to be a little better than the general run of shows but not much. It has been very mild all day.

Tuesday March 4th

Dad. and Frank took the team back to the bush this morning and brought up a load of wood at noon. They brought another one up this after noon. I drove down town this morning and got some coal oil and sent away to join the Sheep Breeder's and Shorthorn breeder's association. I didn't do much this after noon but read the paper and a few chores. Enah. drove down before tea and went to help at the Men's Banquet in the Sunday school. Frank went down there for his tea but I had mine at home as I don't like oysters and I didn't like the idea of going and eating and then leaving immediately as I would have to do in order to get to the J.F.I.A. in time. However on my way down I fell in with Jack Martin who insisted that I go over for a little while as he didn't want to go in alone so I did but didn't eat much and didn't stay long. The annual meeting of the J.F.I.A. was fairly successful. We had about ten or twelve out and they all promised to do their best to make things go next year and gave evidence of their good faith by consenting to try again to make our play a success. They wouldn't accept my resignation so I am still president. Frank was made secretary for life. Lloyd Ryerse was made vice-president and Tige, Charlie Blake & Charlie Shand were put on the Committee of Management which we propose to make a living thing out of this year. Charlie Blake proposed a scheme for organizing an orchestra claiming it could be done through a correspondence course. I think every one was rather doubtful, but we gave Charlie authority to get all the information he could on the subject. Neff was down and we arranged to put Corby and Frank in to hold up the honor of the club in a debate against the Courtland boys on the subject of the middle man. After we closed up our business several of the fellows went to the dance in the hall and I went over to the Sunday school again where things were just coming to a close. It has been very mild all day and to-night.

Wednesday March 5th

It was snowing this morning when we got up and has got a little colder to-day, freezing quite hard to-night. We did chores this morning and Whit and {Name?} came over to look at Dad's steers. Dad. asked Whit seventy-five dollars for the young fellow but Whit wouldn't

give him more than seventy so Dad. didn't sell. Frank and I bagged up some oats and Dad. wrote to Dick he heard from him yesterday and they have been quarintined for Spinal Meningitis and Spotted Fever. He said he had seen Billy Sloan who is stationed about five miles from where Dick is. This after noon Frank and I took the oats we bagged up down and had them chopped and drove down town to post Dad's letter. Frank saw Moses Fisher about fixing up his military overcoat and Moses said he could have it dyed and remodel it to make a good civilian coat for 3 or 4 dollars. Marj. came over after four to-night to return a sweater of Enah's and stayed to tea. I got ready to go with her to church to-night but it was seven o'clock when we got through tea and as she had to stop on her way down to pay Newman Silverthorne for lodge dues, we stayed here for the evening and guessed riddles.

Thursday March 6th

It froze pretty hard last night but has been a beautiful sunny day though wintry. Dad. and Frank hauled up two loads of wood with the sleighs this morning. There was just enough snow for the sleighs to slip, but it was too soft this after noon to try it. I did up the chores and took Pommers out for a little exercise before dinner. This after noon we hauled over a couple of loads of hay one to the horse stable and one to the old barn. Tom came in about six o'clock to-night and got a little jag of straw. To-night Frank went down to the Tom Marks show and I went up to see if Harry Moon could come any night next week to give us a little drill for our play. He was in Simcoe playing at the rink and will be three nights next week if it stays cold. I talked to Mrs. Moon for about an hour and a half and then went down to Aunty's for awhile.They are evidently having lively times at Ottawa these days. Sir Sam Hughes has been raving and tearing his hair metaphorically and actually weeping bitter tears of anguish over the foul administration of the Union Government and charging that the leaders of the Canadian forces caused needles slaughter of Canadian men last fall at Cambrai, Mons, simply to glorify themselves and through bullheadedness, but I think the public have more confidence in Sir Arthur Currie than old Sir Sam, and realize that he followed Pock's plan of conserving man-power at the expense of time.

Friday March 7th

Frank and I hauled out three loads of manure this morning on the sleighs and spread it on last year's potato patch, one load was cleaned out of the calf pen. This after noon Dad. and Frank hauled up two more loads of wood in the waggon. I went over to Jack's and borrowed an egg tester and tested out my eggs. I took out 28 out of the seventy and broke one good one. To-night Frank and I went down town Frank went to the picture show to see "Intolerance" but as the engine broke down he didn't see it all as he didn't wait till it was fixed. I went over to the Monteith's, the old man is pretty sick. Tid. saw a robin on the lawn this afternoon. Froze pretty hard last night but sunny to-day.

Saturday March 8th

Dad. and Frank hauled up two or three more loads of wood in the waggon this morning while I did chores and took Pommers out for a little exercise. Charlie Quanbury came after Frank at noon to go and see some thing about his cattle out at Farr's as Farr had telephoned him and he was hauling ice and didn't want to quit, so Frank was out there all the after noon. Dad. hauled up one more load of wood alone as I waited around expecting Ham Thompson in as he told Dad. the other night that he was going to take his alsike to Jarvis to-day and would stop in for a sample of our clover seed to take to Harry Misner, however he didn't come. When Dad. came with the wood I took the team & waggon and went down to the mill and got a bag of oat-meal. I saw Art. Preston prowling around the place and thought he was one of the seventh-day Adventists as he had a beard on him like a Bolsheviki. I asked him if he had lost his razor but he said he had been sick again, and had been taking Russian Oil from Dr. Hicks, which I suppose accounts for his Bolshevist appearance. To-night Marj. and I went to the 'Gem" to see "Intolerance" It was certainly a wonderful picture especially the seige of Babylon. Frank went down to a birthday party at Bill Barwell's to-night. Raw east wind all day and snowing hard but getting softer when I came home to-night.

Sunday March 9th

The snow storm turned to rain before morning and it

has been wet and slushy all day. There was a cold east wind this morning which later changed to the west. It is freezing a little to-night. Frank and I went down to Sunday school and I helped Miss Martin give out books. We went to church and Marj. and I went down to Aunty's to dinner and stayed there all the after noon and to tea. We went to church with Aunty Alice to-night and afterwards we went around to see how Miss McQueen was but the house was in darkness so we went on over to the Monteith's and stayed there.

Monday March 10th

I went out to the Shand's this morning and borrowed their scales and stock rack as Dad. wanted to weigh the steers. I went around by Lorne Meyer's and took the beet pulp bags back to him and as the roads were none too good I didn't get back home till one o'clock. Willie Shand had been here while I was gone and brought my incubator back. Frank went down town to get some postcards to notify the J.F.I.A. members of a lecture in the hall Wednesday night. He wrote them out over at the club and saw Tige and Albert and a few more to visit with so didn't get home till nearly two o'clock. He saw Fat. Turner down town who had just got home and Frank says looks fine having completely recovered from his wound. We weighed the steers after dinner and the smallest one weighed 815 and the old one 860 lbs. Frank and I then took the scales back to the Shands but we didn't take the rack home as we think we may be able to use it with our own scales and Charlie said they wouldn't be needing it for awhile. Enah went down town to an I.O.D.E. meeting this after noon. When Frank and I got home Ham Thompson was here getting a couple of bushels of clover seed for his own use and Will Wright had been in after a bushel. Dad sold it for $18.00 a bushel as that seems to be about all any one is getting now. Frank got a statement from the Department of Agriculture to-day of a sample he sent down and it graded no.1. there was very little bad seed in it. I stayed home to-night for a change as I didn't know whether there was to be a band meeting or not. Soft but raw wind.

Tuesday March 11th

Dad. went up to Miss McCoy's this morning to see a steer with a swollen jaw. Wess Boughner came after him

Frank and I did chores and husked a little corn. Alan Law came in here after dinner to see if we had sold our clover seed yet and showed us a card he had got Edmonds saying they were in the market again and for him to send up a sample of his seed. Alan had sold his to Fiss for $20.00 a bushel so Frank caught the 3 o'clock car and took a sample of ours to Edmonds and sold it for $21.00 a bushel. We have to take it up in the morning Dad. went down town to pay Clare Deal for the coal this after noon and Enah & Tid. drove down for some groceries. I read the paper, cleaned out a place in the cellar for my incubator and started to prune the raspberries but didn't get much done. Frank went down to Alfred's to-night to ask him if he wanted us to take his seed up for him to-morrow but he wasn't home nor at Art's nor Pickford's. Aunty & Dess had letters from Dick to-day and in Dess's said he thought they would be leaving for home about April. He told a very distressing story of the filth and poverty of Vladivostok. Nice day but rather cold west wind.

Wednesday March 12th

Frank went down to Alfred's this morning and got his two bushels of clover seed and while he was down there Dad. and I weighed up a bushel of ours for Will Wright and the balance just ammounted to a little over 3 1/2 bushels so we kept out the few pounds over that ammount and so just sold Edmonds the 3 1/2 bushels. Dad. went with us up to Miss McCoy's to see her steer. We met Will Wright on the road coming down here after his seed so we gave it to him. We then stopped in at Ham's and left the waggon there and borrowed his democrat. It was half past ten when we got started for Simcoe and the roads were rather sloppy but we got there and got our seed sold before noon. We didn't wait till one although Frank wanted to see Neff and get some mower supplies. We got the checkque cashed up there and we got home about half past two. We didn't do any thing but chores when we got home. Enah drove down town and stayed to tea and Frank and I went down after tea intending to go to church but found there wasn't any on account of Mr. Johnson being sick. Frank went to an agricultural lecture in the town hall and I went over to see Marj. It has been a very nice day but very windy and the wind has been getting worse all day

Thursday March 13th

We spent the morning cleaning up fifty bushels of oats for Will Wright. He came down and helped us. He paid Dad 60 cts a bushel for them. We didn't do much this after noon. I went over to Jack Martin's for awhile to ask Chris about my brooder but didn't get much satisfaction. I am afraid I will have a hard time getting it hot enough to be much use. Dad. and Frank fixed up some nests over in the shed for the geese to lay in as they have been laying under the hog-pen. To-night Frank and I went down to the club as I wanted to have a committee meeting to make plans for the coming year foolishly thinking that when we got just the committee there alone we could come to some definite arrangement to make a real life club which would make its activities aiming toward improvement felt in the community. They were all there except Tige. the best one of the bunch, but we might have well as stayed home for all the good we did. They would neither make suggestions themselves nor even give their opinion on any I made. What in thunder they want to have the club for is more than I can see. Darn them for a bunch of rubes. When we got home Frank went out to the stable to see if there were any lambs and was surprised to find two. He is sure they both belong to the same ewe but both ewes were taking a very maternal interest in them. He put on his old clothes and stayed with them till they got up and were nourished but I went to bed. I went down to see my incubator first and found all the eggs on the top of the machine. I took them out to cool and forgot them. They were cool alright and I suppose I can quit worrying about a brooder. It has been getting colder all day and to-night there is a strong wind.

Friday March 14th

There has been a high cold east wind all day to-day and we haven't done much outside. Dad. helped me get my big incubator down cellar this morning and I fixed it up and made a wire partition to fit in the little one to keep the eggs from the different hens seperate. Dad. took the pork out of the pickle and hung it in the smoke house and Frank repaired and oiled an old halter and the lines that Pommers dragged in the mud when he got away from me. Aunty came over to dinner and Enah and Tid. drove her home with Mexico about

four o'clock. To-night Frank and I went down town. He went to a party at Ivey Howells and I went up to the Monteiths. There was supposed to be church again to-night but it was cancelled again. When I got home I wrote a letter to "The Farmer's Advocate" telling about the J.F.I.A.

Saturday March 15th

Young Albert McBride came in on horse-back this morning to ask Frank to go shooting with him so Frank rode up on his wheel. Dad. and I went back to the woods and got another load of wood. We got up with it about noon and it was raining quite hard. It rained all the after noon so we didn't do much but sit around and read. I went to sleep for the most of the after noon as I had a pain like the ones I had in the summer. We got another flock book to-day. Frank went down town to-night and I read all evening. There were two more lambs in the boxstall when Dad. went out this morning.

Sunday March 16th

It rained all morning but Frank and I walked down to Sunday school and church. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and tea but spent the after noon and evening at the Monteiths. The old man is in pretty bad shape and doesn't seem to be much better. Winnie was at Aunty's to tea to-night and she Aunty and I went to church. The flu is not over yet. Sweetmore died the other day while on a visit to the Falls and Dave. Smith about the first Dover man to return from the war died yesterday. Spring is in the air to-day. It cleared off after dinner and I walked down to the beach from Wedlake's this after noon. The piles of broken ice along the shore are just about washed away, the wind had a warm feel to it and there was a steamy mist out over the lake so that I couldn't tell where the horizon was. I went on out on the dock which is certainly in terrible shape. The end is all gone off the west pier and a great hole washed through the east pier. They have a carload or two of timber down there and are trying to patch it up, but to see that harbour now with six thousand dollars worth of timber looks to me like a harder "task than to prove" than to:- ... "Stop a stream with sand Or fetter flame with silken band. I came up the tack with Hughie Allen and the old red-winged black-birds were flying around in the marsh and to-night wen I came home I heard killdeer

{Sketch of a tree}

Monday March 17th

It has been very mild and muddy to-day and has rained a good deal of the time. Tupper was in for about an hour this morning visiting. I washed out my big incubator and started it going to-day and put the eggs in to-night. This after noon we weighed the steers again on our own scale. The little one just gained six lbs but the big fellow gained 24 lbs. We then hauled over a load of hay for the cattle... Frank went down to a St. Patrick's dance in the hall to-night but it was so rainy and muddy that I didn't go down to band practice and Frank said he doesn't think they had any. I read the "Breeders Gazette" most of the evening.

Tuesday March 18th

Dad. Enah and Tid all went down to Sam Law's to dinner to-day and spent most of the after noon down there. Frank went down to the mill after some bran for the sheep and I just did chores and sat around and read. Karl. Coleman was in this morning to look at Dad's steer and we sold him subject to Dad's approval for ninety dollars and he is to go a week from Thursday. Dad. was perfectly satisfied with the deal. I went down to see how Marj. was to-night as she had a very stiff neck but she was better and ironing a dress to go to Bessie's party to-morrow night. One egg is chipped and a chicken out in my incubator to-night so I didn't freeze them all the other day. Sam. Law told Dad. that they couldn't get a death certificate and in consequence couldnt bury Dan Smith, as the nurse he had being dissatisfied with Dr. Cooks treatment sent for Dr. Newel in Jarvis. He didn't come but sent some medicine and so neither doctor was there when he died and as Sam Law said they couldn't expect Dr. Cook to give the certificate when he didn't know what the other fellow had given to poison him, however, they got him buried all right to-day with a flag over him and with military honors. It has been raw and cloudy and terribly muddy to-day.

Wednesday March 19th

I helped Frank put on a load of hay this morning and while he and Dad. put if off in the horse stable I went over to Tupper's and borrowed a setting hen as there are three chickens out in the incubator and I am afraid there won't be many more. I was over there

till noon. This after noon I drove Enah down town and I got some coal oil and my hair cut. Enah stayed down to tea as Aunty Alice had a carpet rag bee this after noon Frank went to Billy Dixon's sale and bought a hay truck and a potato digger. Dad. had a busy after noon looking after Tid and a new heifer calf that came after dinner belonging to Young Bobbie. To-night Frank and I went down to church, and after church I went down to a party at Patterson's. There was a big crowd there about forty and they played Five Hundred. I was fortunate enough to get the booby prize. It has been a beautiful spring day but muddy.

Thursday March 20th

Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and has been down all day tearing down the fence between Aunty's and Charlie Warren's. He got it all down and the boards piled up. I took six chickens out of the incubator this morning all that are going to hatch and put them under the hen I got from Tupper. I thought she was going to mother them well but before noon she killed four. The first two I found I thought she had stepped on unintentionally but the second two were picked in the head. I took the remaining two away from her and put them in a basket on the stove but I don't know what will become of them. I didn't do any thing much but chore around this morning and took my time at that. To tell the truth it was a beautiful day for "black-snaking." No wind, air warm and sunny, and a lazy drowsy sort of feeling over everything, both man & beast. This after noon I husked a little corn. Frank has been cleaning out the shop all day and by to-night it could be seen that he had started. It is "some" job. Charlie Shand was in for awhile this afternoon on his way down town. He came on horseback as the roads are a fright. Enah drove over to the McPherson this after noon and poor Mexico got stuck and broke a trace coming home. Frank and I went down to J.F.I.A. social evening to-night. We had no music as Charlie Blake had asked to be let off during Lent. Neff & Fleming were down and we played cards, Jacob & Rachel and had a spelling match. No body brought any milk so we took our coffee straight, at least I shoud say they did. Neff came down the Gravel in his Ford but nearly got stalled several times. We got home about three o'clock

Friday March 21st

I spent the morning doing chores and trying to make my two young chickens comfortable. I put them in Dad's birdcage and hung it over the stove. I made a "hen" out of a strawberry basket lined with cloth. They seem comfortable while they are under it but don't know enough to go under of their own accord. Frank finished cleaning out the shop and started to make a whipple-tree for the disks. Dad. cut wood, the small pieces which he can chop with the axe. Frank went down to a party at Frances Slocomb's to-night. I went down town and called for Aunty Alice and Cousin Loll at Col. Smith's on my way home. Mild but a little colder wind than yesterday. Frogs singing to-night & last night.

Saturday March 22nd

Frank and I had to take Knockfierna up to Ham's this morning again. When we got home George Eagles was here to get Dad. to go up and lance the jaw of Miss McCoy's steer, so he went before dinner. This after noon Frank & Tid went back to the gully to spear pike as they are up in the creeks now. Frank said he saw five and speared one but the spear wouldn't hold them. It is an old four tined spear which the baby has been sharpening up for the last week or two and I guess has it so sharp it cuts right through them. Dad. sawed wood and I split it this after noon. I had a letter from the "Farmer's Advocate" saying my letter was satisfactory and that they would pay me the end of the month in which it was written published. Quite a cold wind to-day.

Sunday March 23rd

Frank and I went to Sunday school and church this morning and Enah came down to church. Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah and Frank but I stayed down with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk down the beach after first getting a film and taking some pictures of the cat. We went down to Aunty's early in the after noon as Aunty Alice wanted to go up and see Huby and didn't want to leave Aunt Ida alone. We stayed down there to tea and entertained Aunt Ida while Aunty & Aunty Alice went to church by singing all the hymns we knew. Marj. played. Frank went down to Corby's this afternoon. Beautiful day, very warm.

Monday March 24th

Dad. went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and Frank and I husked corn, we got into some nice stuff and got quite a pile husked. This after noon we weighed the steers again but before we watered them and one only gained one pound and the other four over last week's weights. Frank and the baby then went back to the gully to spear fish as they had borrowed Alfred's spear and came home with seven nice pike. The kid. was tickled to death. Dad. and I sawed and split wood and did chores. Frank and I both went down town to-night to stay all night so as to catch the train for Caledonia in the morning. Frank went to the dance but I went to bed early about 11.30. Another lovely day.

Tuesday March 25th

Aunty and I set the alarm clock last night and as neither of us knew just what time it was we set it early and set the alarm early so consequently were up about half an hour earlier than was necessary, but as it was such a lovely morning nobody objected. We found {Irvine?} Pow at the station bent on the same quest as ourselves so we had him for company all day. We found cars waiting for us at the Caledonia station, and they took us right out to the Moore farm which was just about a mile north of the town on the old Plank Road. We were surprised to see how dry and smooth the roads were down there and could hardly believe it when they told us that last week they were impassable. We had plenty of time to look over the cattle in the stable before the crowd got too thick, and we were certainly delighted with what we saw. The cows seemed to show much more of the beef type and build than dual purpose animals that I had in my mind's eye but their udders and Records of Performance showed that they were all very profitable dairy animals as well. About eleven o'clock lunch and coffee was served. Each lunch was done up in a seperate paper bag and consisted of a couple of sandwiches a piece of cheese a doughnut and a roll. The bags were all put in a big basket and every one just helped himself. There was another basket of cups which were filled with hot coffee when wanted by one of the half dozen girls that were mingled through the crowd with kettles of the beverage

The door yard was well filled with diners and as it was such a beautiful day, it proved very enjoyable as well as novel way of being fed. The simple cleaning up of paper bags and washing of cups must have been a much lighter task for the women folks than the washing of so many plates, saucers, knives, forks and other dishes and clearing away of tables and taking down of benches to say nothing of the sweeping up and setting things in order after the occupation of the house by such a horde of men as was assembled in the door yard that morning. Lunch being over we still had over an hour on our hands before the event started so we three took a stroll over the field to the big red basement barn of a neighbour. The barn looked to be the property of a prosperous man so we thought the cattle inside it would be worth looking at. We found it filled with grade Holsteins, the feeding and milking of which aparently took all of their young owner's time so that their rather unkempt appearance contrasted unfavorably with that of the herd we had just seen all groomed and cleaned and in every way made attractive looking. On our return we found the big tent which had been erected in case of bad weather had been taken down and was in a big heap under a tree so we three sat down on it to wait for the sale to commence. The warmth of the noonday sun, the drowsiness of the springtime air, the drone of conversation all around us, and the faint aroma of tobacco smoke, all had a very soothing effect and if it had not been for the constant chugging, honking and stopping of cars as they came up the lane and took their places in the orchard, and the cackling laugh of some fellow who with two or three others was perched on an old hayrack under an apple tree and aparently enjoying a very amusing conversation, we three should have gone to sleep. The crowd was continually gathering, the men were making some final preparations in the ring. A group of very small boys whom we guessed had been lured by the song sparrows, the sunshine and the crowd from the monotonous routine of the little school house up the road, came hurrying in and after trying several points of vantage around the ringside, decided that the apple tree over the auctioneer's stand was the ideal grandstand and acting on their decision perched themselves along the limbs. Here they

stayed very well behaved till Capt. Robson mounted the auction box and beckoned them down whereupon they solemnly scrambled to earth again. We were soon aroused from our comfortable position by the observation that the crowd was closing around the ring. Different groups of men were carrying blocks and planks to make seats so we we decided that if we were to have the place at the ring that our early arrival deserved, we would have to do likewise. We did and got a seat opposite the auctioneer and were soon hemmed in by a big standing crowd behind us. After Hugh A. Scott, secretary of the Caledonian Shorthorn Breeders association and a neighbor of the late Mr. Moore had given a little address relating to the herd their excellence and the estimable character of Mr. Moore, the sale began. Burnfoot Grace was the first cow brought out. She was a nine year old roan squarely built with big frame and in calf to Burnfoot Chieftain the old herd sire. She went for $445.00 to A.D. Wallace, Toronto. We came to the conclusion right then that our chances for getting anything worth while there were pretty slim as we knew that every animal in the sale compared very favorably with this one and we didn't dare risk any more than half that sum, much as we would have liked to. We were not wrong in our conclusion as the bidding was keen on nearly all of them although only one went as high as $1000. She was a four year old cow with an R.O.P. 8147 lbs of milk testing 4.08 as a two year old. J.W. Carter of Ilderton bought her. The lowest price was $170 for a little bull calf. The average price for calves and everything was $440.16. The old bull Burnfoot Chieftain sold for $440.00 just $100. more than his this year's calf out of Burnfoot Lady one of the old good cows. Old Dairymaid the 12 year old foundation cow with a record of 13535 lbs and one-time Canadian champion sold for $350 but was not in calf and was in poor shape owing to a dose of blood-poisoning she got when she calved last time. All the cows were taken by Ontario buyers although there was at least one Americon there, but for some trouble over getting a tuberculin test they couldn't be taken across the line. We heard him say later that if it had not been for this trouble old Dairymaid and the other old cow Burnfoot Lady would never have stayed in Canada. After the sale we went back to Caledonia. Frank and I got a ride with Johnnie Walker a fellow I knew up in Guelph and who I see nearly every time I am around a

gathering of Shorthorn breeders and {Irvine?} got picked up by a car. We sat around the Union Hotel listening to this Yankee talking to some others who had been at the sale till six o'clock and then went up to the station getting some biscuits on our way to do instead of supper. The Dover train left at 6.40 and we got home about 8.30.

Wednesday March 26th

Frank and I bagged up some oats and the corn we husked the other day and took it to the mill. We left the grist there and went on down and got a small load of coal as the road down at the corner is pretty bad. Most of the roads have been scraped. We came home around by Munros corner. This after noon we took Shands rack for their scales home and came back by the mill and got our chop. I took the turnip seed Frank had cleaned up into Arthur Preston and he gave me some swede turnip seed for it. They are all sick again over there. Frank Enah and I went down to church to-night. It has been a very nice day

Thursday March 27th

It has been a very disagreeable day. Cold and drizzling rain most of the time. Dad. & Frank went over to Tupper's with Daisy May this morning and while they were gone Karl. Coleman came over and got the steer and gave me the money for him. I wrote letters to three different fellows this morning inquiring about bulls. Art Quanbury came after Dad this after noon to go and look after a ewe that was having a hard time lambing. Dad. was over there most of the after noon and said he was afraid the ewe would die. We heard later that she did and the lamb too. We didn't do anything much. Frank went down town to-night.

Friday March 28th

It froze hard last night and has been cold and very windy all day wind due north. We hauled over a load of hay this morning to the old barn. We wanted to get some to the horse stable but it was blowing too hard. Aunty Alice came over to dinner. Frank rode his wheel down town this after noon and got his hair cut. I just sat around and read most of the after noon. To-night Frank and Enah wrote cards to all the J.F.I.A. members notifying them that Mr. Duncan would be here Thursday night.

Saturday March 29th

It has been sunny to-day but the wind is still high and cold. We have spent the whole day doing chores and watching our herd and flock increase. Little No. 4 ewe had a big strong lamb with her when Dad. went out this morning and before noon No 33 had one. They were both big fat lambs but strong, but the event which will make this a red letter day in the annals of Knockfierna was the long-looked for arrival of Elgitha's calf. He too is a big strong bull and a fine roan. Elgitha is so wild no one can get within ten feet of her, but there is no necessity to as she and the calf are both all right. I hung around out in the barn till about four o'clock and then came in and got shaved and ready to take in Mrs. Smith's tea-party. It was a great success. She had nine boys there and Marj. & me. We helped her feed the bunch which included Isabel and then she the colonel and we two had our tea while the rabblement tore around in the other rooms. I went over to band practice for a little while after tea and Marj. shipped the boys off soon after I got back but we stayed for quite awhile listening to the Colonel talk.

Sunday March 30th

Frank. Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning. Enah went down to church and Aunty came over here to dinner with her. I stayed down at Aunty Alice's for dinner and tea. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk but spent most of the after noon visiting. We stopped in at the Davis's to see if Said. had Marj's camera and as Said. had gone out for a walk with her beau who has just returned from the war, we stayed and talked to Mrs. Davis for awhile, we then went down and spent the rest of the after noon at Miss McQueen's. I went to church to-night with Aunty Alice and spent the evening up at the Monteith's. Aunty had a letter from Norah Hall and answering her question about the correct meaning of Knockfierna. She said the "Knock" was Anglesized and should be spelt "Cnoc" but meant a little hill, the whole word she thought would mean a grassy knoll more than a fairy knoll. However it applies just as well, maybe better to the mound as we never happened to catch any fairys there. Beautiful day.

Monday March 31st

Frank and I went down town in the waggon this morning

and got some old cherry logs over at Mr. Jame's. Frank got some boxes to feed the sheep in and I got a can of coal-oil. I saw {Mid.?} and Mr. Bagley go in to Arthur Anderson's so I went in to ask them where they were going to practice to-night as the Women's Institute are having a lecturer up in the room which we have been using and which is also their meeting place. They didn't know where we would meet but said it would be some place maybe in the Masonic hall if there was no fear of us "getting their goat". I found them back in the store rejoicing over a horn which was lost and is found. I think it was an alto which Jack Anderson had. Ed. Moon was in there and wanted to send over some beans to clean through the fanning mill so went down to the house with us to get them. This after noon Frank went down and got some posts at Jack Reynolds and when he came back Dad. went back to the back field with him and put them off. To-night Frank went down to the picture show and I went to band practice. We did have it in the Mason's room. Very cold north wind.

Tuesday March April 1st

I haven't done any thing much to-day but a few chores. I helped Frank bag up some oats this morning and he took them down to the mill to trade off for oil cake and bran for the sheep. He also went up to Billy Dixon's and got the hay truck and potato digger which he bought at the sale. This after noon he went down town to get Felix Perkins to come over and fix the pump at the windmill. We don't know what is wrong with it but Dad. went to turn the windmill in last night and the rod in the pump was jammed and wouldn't move. The wind was strong and before he knew what happened a piece snapped out of the middle of the jirk-rod. Felix said he would be over in the morning. Dad. Enah & Tid went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and then went to the picture show to see "Uncle Tom's Cabin". I went down and went with Marj. to the second show. It was pretty good. Margurite Clark played Eva and Topsy. Old no. 68 had a pair of lambs late this after noon. She had them in a very short time and none of us were out there. When Frank found them one was up. They were covered with dirt as they were born out in the shed.

Wednesday April 2nd

Tupper came in this morning and got Frank to

go over and help him tear down his verandah. He was having a bee to tear down his verandah and build a garage out of it. Dad. and I helped Felix all morning who came over about ten o'clock. We got the pipes out as far down as the cylinder and found that what made it stick the other night was ice. The drain cock had got plugged in someway and it had frozen up. The sucker needed fixing anyway so we took it out. Frank got home soon after dinner and so I didn't help so much this after noon. We had to let the cows in the field to drink out of the ditch and I carried water from the ditch to the steer, Nellie & Elgitha. Wilbur Ryerse was over nearly all the afternoon. Dess was over for a little while. The assessor was here and Tom came after a jag of straw. Enah went down to church to-night but Frank and I didn't get ready in time but went down afterwards. I took my horn down to Harry Moon as he wanted to give Alf. Harvey & {Gint?} Rankin a little practice. Milder to-day.

Tuesday April 3rd

We didn't do much to-day except haul a couple of loads of hay over from the big barn. We put one in the old barn for the cows and one in the horse-stable. Colin Ryerse & Tige McBride were both in at different times for awhile. Enah went down town for dinner at her mother's. We put Martha in the box-stall in the horse-stable this afternoon and when Frank and I came home to nigh we found a red heifer calf with her not bigger than a fair-sized dog but all right. Frank and I went down to club to-night. We expected Duncan from Toronto down but he let Neff know that he couldn't come to Neff brought J. E. Johnson down and he gave us a little talk on Co-operation. Neff suggested we form a softball baseball team as the Courtland fellows were and we could meet them now and then in touring. Cloudy, mild, rain to-night.

Friday April 4th

Frank and I got off on the nine o'clock (new time) car this morning and spent the morning in Brantford. Mr. Cockshutt sent us out to his farm and the man showed us over the Shorthorns. He had one very nice young red bull but wanted $400.00 for him

which was more than we could stand, but there was another roan one about seven months old which he only asked $120.00 for. We didn't like him quite so well and his mother didn't give a very big milk record but as all of his - Cockshutt's - stock is of such pure English breeding having come from the Rothschild estate and been line bred for generations, we thought he might make a great impression on our stock and be a good foundation to build up on. However we didn't buy him but thought we would ask Dad. about it and let him know later. We got home at two o'clock by our time. The time of the country is in a beautiful mix up now. The house {illegible} didn't the "Daylight Saving" law because the farmer's made such a howl about it last year, but the railways all adopted new time on the first of April claiming that as they had it on the other side it would cause no end of confusion and probably accidents at the border if they didn't have the same time as the American roads. The consequence is a muddle and no-one is any better of and most people are madder than ever at the farmer's and in this particular case I don't think any one can blame them. When we got up to Aunty's we found Roy there he had come on the car before we did. Old Phelix was here putting the little pump he made for the well at the windmill in at the house-well as the old chain there is just about rusted out. It looks queer there in place of the old bucket and chain well and reminds me of one of these walking sticks we find in the woods {pencil sketch of a walking stick}. Guy Tuple came after Dad. soon after we got home so we helped Phelix while Dad. went over there. I went down town to-night and went with Marj. & Miss Martin to the Presbyterian show in the hall. It was a bunch of middle aged women from Simcoe putting on "The Suffragette Convention" and I think was the poorest excuse for an entertainment that it has ever been my misfortune to attend. Mild, cloudy.

Saturday April 5th

I went down to Uncle Ward's this morning and borrowed a couple of setting hens from him and put them up over the hog pen and to-night put some eggs under them from the incubator so that they will be prepared to look after the chickens when they come out. When I came back

from Uncle Ward's, Tid and I burned the dead grass off the yard where I want to put the little chickens and then Frank and I put the association ear tags in the rams lambs yearlings. After dinner we put them in the yearling ewes and the private numbers in the lambs. Lila came over soon after dinner and Aunty Alice and Roy after that. We didn't do much but chores and visit the rest of the after noon. They all stayed to tea. Two more ewes lambed this after noon No. 40 & No 15 and another one to-night old Lop-ear. Frank went down town to-night and I think went to the show with Lila. I wrote to Cockshutt and told him to send down the little bull if he hadn't sold him as Dad. thought that as we couldn't very well lose anything on him it would be worth trying him to see what sort of impression he would make as well as purifying the blood of our stock. I went to bed early. It rained last night and has been cloudy but very mild all day.

Sunday April 6th

It was very showery all morning but was a beautiful after noon and is thundering and cloudy to-night. Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but I was

too late getting ready as I spent considerable time with my setting hens. I went down to church though. Enah and Tid. also drove down. I stayed to dinner at Aunty's and this after noon Marj. and I went up the Radical Road in quest of pussy willows but didn't find many nice ones although there were plenty of no. 2's. We went through Duncan's woods and down to the beach. It was lovely up there and I was very glad to be without my overcoat. I think this is the most Spring like day we have had and the grass is beginning to show quite green. I had tea with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida as Aunty & Roy had gone up to Huby's. Aunt Ida and I went to church to-night but were joined at the church by Aunty. I spent the evening up at the Monteiths and when I got home found Dad. & Frank out in the barn with the sheep. Old Split-ear had triplets to-day one of them with a twisted face which Dad. has in the house. Another ewe had a single lamb.

Monday April 7th

It rained a little more during the night but was sunny and quite hot and muggy all morning and a little cooler and cloudy this afternoon. We trimmed a lot

of the loose wool from around the bags of the ewes which have lambed to keep the lambs from getting wool-balls in their stomachs and Frank and I docked the six oldest lambs. We cleaned up the barn floor before dinner and got the fanning mill set ready to clean up the seed oats and Frank and I spent the after noon at it. We didn't get much done but put what we did do through twice and intend to run them through again. They are certainly heavy and when we put them in the big bags we got from the Canning Factory, they handle like wheat. Dad did chores and cut wood most of the day. I took a stroll over the wheat and and over to the garden this morning. The wheat looks fine and so do the strawberries. I went down to band practice to-night. We had a good one.

Tuesday April 8th

I went over to Quanbury's this morning and borrowed Arts toe-punch to mark my little chickens. The red hen over the hog pen hatched out five chicks from seven eggs. They are all from Hen no 74 one of the Wyandottes which started laying first and has laid more eggs than the rest. I want to keep her chicks seperate in case there is a good cockrel among them to breed. I put six eggs out of the incubator under one of the hens I got from Uncle Ward, but she didn't sit on them and they got cold. I put them under the red hen and one hatched. They were eggs from no 37 the best Plymouth Rock hen. I put nine eggs from the incubator under the other hen I got from Uncle Ward and she hatched eight chicks. They are from No 52. When I got that done, Frank and I put the ear labels in the rest of the lamb's ears. We cleaned up some more oats this after noon. Colin and Lloyd Ryerse came up this morning with their dehorners and took the spikes off the five steers. They are pretty sore to-night and are horrible looking objects as their heads are covered with blood, but they were getting too fond of using their horns which were nasty spikes on the oldest ones. We were to have gone up to Ham Thompson's to play baseball with the J.F.I.A. to-night but it was too wet. It was a nice morning but rained all the after noon and is colder.

Wednesday April 9th

I spent most of the morning getting my chickens out It was too wet to put them outside so I put them in

the unused end of the chicken house. I got them under two hens, one has twenty white ones and the other seventeen black ones. I only got twenty seven out of the incubator and two of them were cripples and had to be killed. Jessie had a nice red bull calf during the night and Dad has had a big job milking her as her bag is caked and and her hind teats very short. She gives a big mess of milk. There was also one more buck lamb this morning. Frank went down town and got three 16 foot Hemlock plank to make a bull pen as I got word from Cockshutt that he would ship the calf to-morrow. We cleaned up a few more oats this after noon but it was late when we got started so didn't get many put through Frank and I went down town to-night but were too late for church. Milder and rather cloudy to-day. Very muddy.

Thursday April 10th

It has been cloudy and drizzly but quite mild all day Frank and I went down with the team this morning and got a load of shingles Howey has just got a carload in and we thought that by taking them right off the car we would get them a little cheaper although they are dear enough there, five dollars a thousand. The car is on the canning factory siding as it is at last a much handier place to haul them from than Howey's yard. Dad. and Frank measured the roof and and figured it would take just about twenty-one thousand bring the cost up to $105.00 for shingles alone. We put on 42 bunches just half what we need on our first load and hauled it around by Mrs. Munroe's corner as we thought we couldn't get through with a load past Johnson's place, but decided that it wasn't any worse than from our corner on the side road down to the lane. Frank had his dinner early and rode his wheel down to the station to see if the freight on the L.E. & N. was in as we expected our bull on it, and they told him last night it was due about one o'clock new time. He came right back and told us that they had telephoned from Waterford saying that we could unload the bull at Main St. crossing if we were there between two & two-thirty when the train came in. However it didn't get in till just before the three o'clock car came so they backed the cars up on the siding and we unloaded the bull there. We had no trouble getting him off nor getting him home in the waggon and Dad.

is quite favorably impressed with his appearance. When we got "Moonshine" put away in his new quarters, Frank and I went down and got the rest of the shingles. Frank went dwn town to-night and sent Cockshutt a check for $150.00 for Moonshine. Aunty Alice lent him the money.

Friday April 11th

Frank went down to Aunty's this morning and was down most of the day fixing their fence between them and the Rankin's. Dad. and I spent the morning doing chores and I gave all the horses a good cleaning. This after noon I started to rake up the lawn and Dad. sawed wood. I measured up the bare spaces in the orchard and figured that we would need about two dozen trees to fill it up. While I was out there I saw a pair of ducks rise out of the water-holes and on taking a walk over saw to more pair rise. Niel Elliott was in to-night and Dad. sold him Daisy May. Dad. hadn't thought much of seliling her but Niel offered him $100.00 and said that was all he could possibly give but Dad. worked him to $120.00 so Dad. sold her. Frank and I went down town to-night & Frank went to the dance. Cloudy & cool.

Saturday April 12th

Tid. and I finished raking the lawn the other side of the ditch this morning. Right after dinner I went down to Uncle Ward's and ordered some apple trees. A man whom I suppose was Mr. Granton came in and started telling of his experiences in the West and it was three o'clock when I got home. I spent the rest of the after noon raking up the rest of the lawn. Frank went back to the gully this morning with Alfred's spear and got three pike one of them weighing four pounds. He took it down to Alfred. Lila came over this morning and has been practicing on the guitar all day and took it home with her this after noon. Dad. Frank and Tid went down town in the waggon this after noon to get the gutters for the roof and some coal oil. Dad. was going to get Cousin Willie to witness his signature on a proof of age form which Dick Frank & I have to send to our insurance companies but Cousin Willie was down at the dock and although Dad waited for him till five o'clock he didn't show up. Hugh didn't have the gutters cut out either. Still cloudy & rather cold wind. Frank saw first martin on the bird house to-day.

Sunday April 13th

Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school this

morning and Enah came down to church. Marj. and I went down to Aunty's for lunch and about three o'clock went up to the Monteith's while I pumped some water for them up there and then we came over here to the farm and had tea. Dick {Fomsbe?} was over for awhile to see Dad. about a sick cow. Nice sunny day, cool wind.

Monday April 14th

Art. Quanbury came over about eight o clock this morning and we have been shingling all day and got the east side of the parlor roof on. We weren't looking for Art. till this after noon and were just ready to haul over a little hay but Frank hauled the rack over to the barn and then went down town and got the gutters from Hugh McQueen and Dad. and I hauled over a little jag of hay when he got back. Sam Law came up after dinner with his hammer and apron and said he heard us hammering so just came up to give us a hand. I suppose Tom has told him we were shingling. I went to band practise to-night.

Tuesday April 15th

Art. came over this morning and we shingled till noon and got about half of Dick's bed-room roof on but just at noon it began to rain and has kept it up all the after noon and evening. Snowdrop presented us with a black and white heifer calf this morning so it took considerable time after dinner to tend to her and do the other chores. We put some costic potash on the two youngest calves horns and Frank and I put up a lot of hay from the far bent in the big barn up over the sheep pen so that it will be handy to load when we can get the waggon over. It was cold this morning but about noon the wind veered a little more to the south east and it got a little milder. Dad. had to go up on the roof this morning to-night to stick some shingles over the bare spots where it was leaking.

Wednesday April 16th

It rained hard and steadily all morning and I think all night. It cleared off two or three times during the after noon but rained most of the time and is cloudy to-night. We haven't done any thing but chores all day and sit around and read. The ditch running through the sheep pasture is a regular river, and when Frank let them out at noon most of them plunged right through it as they have

been accustomed to do, never taking notice aparently that the bridge was gone. Most of the little lambs went too. Frank and I went down town to-night and I spent the evening over at the Monteith's. Marj. expects to go home to-morrow for the holidays. Aunty told us to-night that Mrs. J. S. Allen died very suddenly Monday night and Mrs. Fred Roleson died Tuesday, she had the flu and Mrs Allen had heart trouble. Lila is quite sick and twenty-five out of the High School are sick in the same way. Frank was up there to-night looking at all the fancy guns Quint sent home.

Thursday April 17th

Frank and I hauled over two more jags of hay one to the old barn and one to the horse stable. Charlie Munroe was over to see Dad. about a sick cow and Dad. spent most of the morning doing the chores over at the old barn. It takes about all of one man's time over there now to keep things done up right especially now that the yard is so muddy that a lot of them can't be turned out. It cleared off nicely this after noon and I cleaned out the colony house so that if we get a chance to shear sheep we can do it in there. Dad. went back and opened some ditches on the back field. Frank got the clippers oiled up. To-night Frank went down to the J.F.I.A. another social evening but I didn't go down. It will be Good Friday before they get out. Roy came up to-night. Cloudy this morning.

Friday April 18th

Art came over this morning and we shingled all day. Sam. came up this morning after noon and said he would be back to-morrow if it was nice. This being Good Friday Enah went down to church this morning. Dad. went down town to-night to see Roy but he wasn't home. Nice day.

Saturday April 19th

Art. and Sam both came over this morning and we got on well with the shingling. We now have just the north sides of the kitchen & dining room roofs to shingle. Dr. Cook was in at noon to-day and said that they all had the flu. over at Tupper's and intimated that some of us would have to go over to do the chores so Frank went over to-night. Tupper had the milking done when he got over there but he said he looked pretty sick and he thought should not have been out. Aunty and Roy came over

this afternoon. Frank went down town to-night. Very nice day.

Sunday April 20th

This has not seemed very much like Easter to me and has been any thing but a day of rest. I went over to Tupper's about half past nine this morning after we had done our own chores and was all the morning over there. Tupper was lying in the lounge in the house and gave me instructions about feeding every thing which I found difficult to keep straight in my head but I followed them as well as I could and thought that as long as every thing got some thing to eat that they needn't worry. While I was over there Dr. Cook came and ordered Tupper to bed as he had quite a fever and told me to go down to Hanselman's and get a nurse there and bring her out to Tupper's. It was just twelve o'clock when I got home and all the family had gone down to church and as Dad. had Joe and the buggy I had to wait till he got home about half past one before I could go after the nurse. By the time I got her, took her out and got home again it was after three. Dad. and Frank were just having their lunch alone as Enah and Tid. had stayed down so that Enah could go to Mrs. Hobbes for after noon tea. I had my dinner and sat around for a half an hour or so and then went back to do Tupper's night chores. Nurse Little gave me some money to get her some beef and whisky so just as I got home about dark Dad. was starting off in the buggy to get Enah and I gave him the order and he managed to get the goods. Frank went down to the corner with him with a bag full of cats which he left in the pond. Dad. thought there were too many around and there is a very big family of little rabbits out now and he didn't want them killed. There are still two tabbys here each with a family of kittens. Enah got home soon after Dad. left. She had been in at Uncle Ward's and he had missed her. It rained this morning but was very nice after noon.

Monday April 21st

I went over to Tupper's right after breakfast this morning and it was after eleven when I got back so I didn't do much else this fore noon. Frank took a grist to the mill and went down to the Widespread to get the ridge boards but the engine down there was broken so he couldn't get them. Alan Law was past and was telling

me Charlie Ivey's side of the story of Clarence Ferris getting fired down at the mill. Charlie bought the lot across from his house on purpose to preserve the big spruce trees along the road on the lot. After he bought it Clarence wanted to buy it from him and Charlie sold it to him on condition he would leave the trees but it was only a verbal agreement. Joe Long wanted the trees so Clarence let him cut them down although Charlie offered to buy them or the lot or another lot down town in order to keep them. If that is the case Clarence certainly deserved all he got because Charlie has treated him well. Karl Coleman was over this morning to look at the steer and told Dad he would give him 12 cts for him when he was ready in two or three weeks. Dad. took Daisy May down on Saturday to ship but Niel wasn't there and had left word at Henderson's that he didn't want her that day but Dad. had never got the word so was very peeved when he had to bring her home again. Karl told him he would make Niel buy her over again and if he didn't make a suitable offer that he himself would take her. This after noon Frank and I sheared one of the rams. I did the shearing and made a pretty messy looking job as I have forgotten how to hold them. We only did the one as Frank had to get to the mill after the chop. Dess came over with a letter from Dick. He enclosed a program of a concert he had been at put on by Austrian-Hungarian prisoners of war which were under Japanese control. I went back to Tupper's about five o'clock and got home about dark. I made arrangements with old Evans to do the chores in the morning. Frank went down to the Masonic dance to-night. Sunny and mild all day, cool breeze. We lost a fine big lamb to-day. Dad. opened him and found a big wool ball in his stomach. That is the second lamb that has died, one of Splitear's died Saturday, but it was never right.

Tuesday April 22nd

Frank and I got three rams sheared this morning. After dinner Dad. sheared one and then I sheared the old ram. We didn't have time to do any more as I went over to Tupper's about half past four. I rode Joe over and when I got there the cows and calves were all loose in the stable and so I didn't have to bring the cows in nor milk one of them and got home quite early. Dad. went back with the harrows this morning and went over the

side hill and took the disks back late this afternoon, the discs cut down to the mud but the top works fine. I went down to band practice to-night. Very mild & fine.

Wednesday April 23rd

Frank and I sheared another ram this morning but it took quite awhile and we had to put on a load of straw to take over to the horse stable so we only got the one done. Dad. went back and disked the side hill this morning and drilled it in this after noon. It was a hard job he said drilling on the hill as several times he lost track of his drill mark. Dad. hauled our load of straw over to the horse stable and Frank and I put it off right after dinner and before Dad. went back to the field he hauled the rack over to the barn and Frank and I put on a load of hay. It was so late when we got it on that we didn't have time to shear another ram. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and Enah drove her down with Mexico this after noon. Enah got a lot of groceries which Melissa asked me to get and I drove over to Tuppers to do chores. It began to rain while I was over there and rained all evening. I went down and got my hair cut to-night and took my horn down to practice but it was so late when I got around that they were all through. I stayed all night down town as it was such a bad night. Very warm & sultry all day.

Thursday April 24th

I got home at six o'clock this morning and helped do chores. It turned cold during the night and has been cloudy, cold and a north wind all day and several times it has started to snow. I went up to Simcoe on the 11 o'clock car and went over to Slaght's office but was very disappointed to learn that nothing has been done about the "Sheep Pasture". Slaght is still sick and not expected back in the office for a month. I went in to see Neff for a few minutes he had a Mr. May in there who is going around organizing the county for Y.M.C.A. work. They said they were coming down to Dover this afternoon. Neff said that the Courtland boys would be down at the club to-night to give their debate and advised me to see Mr. Johnson and ask him to act as our judge as the Courtland boys were going to bring one down. When I got home Dad. & Frank where at Aunty's after the ridge-boards for the roof and as

I had to go up town to get some bread for Tuppers I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. After dinner I went up and asked Mr. Johnson to come over to the club to-night but he said he couldn't as there was a vestry meeting on and advised me to get Mr. Robertson so I got Tige to ask him. Soon after I got home Neff and Mr. May came over to look at my heifer and Frank's pigs that we are entering in the Profit Competitions and when they left it was time to go over to Tupper's. Gladys had fourteen pigs to-day. Dad. has two of them in the house but one is not going to live long. We had a great meeting at the club to-night. About six Courtland boys and as many girls came down and we had a good turnout of our own both boys and girls. Corby who was to have helped Frank out in the debate informed us at the eleventh hour that he couldn't come so Frank had to hold up our side alone, however he made a good job of it and the judges made it out a tie. One of the Courtland fellows did very well but the other wasn't so good. Mr. May acted as critic and then gave us a little talk on the Y.M.C.A. and invited us all to go to Simcoe to-morrow night to a meeting they are having to organize the county. After that we had some games and supper. We stayed for a long time after our visitors left and danced and cut up till a late hour. Ham had his phonograph down to furnish the music and Charlie Shand played his mouth organ. We think that will be our last meeting there.

Friday April 25th

It has been very cold and very windy all day and snowed to-night. We havent done very much but chores. Frank and I put up some hay ready to haul over to the horse stable but it was too windy to haul it. Niel Elliots nephew came over to ask Dad. to take Daisy May down this morning as they were going to drive a bunch to Jarvis. Dad. told him he was pretty sore at having to take her down and bring her home again last week and that now if Niel wanted her he could have her for $125.00 so I went over to Jack Martins as Niel was going to telephone there to say whether he would take her or not. Jack was very disturbed when he saw me as Niel had telephoned him early this morning to tell us to bring the cow down and Jack had promised to and then forgot. Neil called up soon

after I got there and said to bring her down so Frank and Dad. went right down with her. Niel was very apologetic and told Dad. that he wouldn't have blamed him if he had sold her, he thought that Dad. knew he didn't want the cow on Saturday. He is a great old bluffer. Frank went down to the Women's Institute dance tonight.

Saturday April 26th

The ground was covered with snow this morning nearly as much as was on the ground any time this winter. It turned sunny and soon melted off and is milder to-night. We hauled over the load of hay we put on yesterday to the horse stable this morning and this after noon we started to put on another load for the cows but Ham came down and wanted to have a horse clipped so we didn't get it over. I went over to Tuppers early and did the chores and got down to meet the 8.15 train which is due at 7.15 by our time. Marj. came back to-night

Sunday April 27th

Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went up to Huby's for awhile as Marj. wanted to take Lila some maple sugar she brought from home. Lila was feeling much better. We went from there to Miss Martin's and I left Marj. there to have tea. I came home changed my clothes and rode over to Tupper's to do the chores. Tupper was feeling much better and came out to the barn for awhile but got severely reprimanded by the nurse for doing it. She told him he was a "bad naughty man". His improved health is making him wayward. The nurse let him out for an hour this morning to visit with Wilbur Ryerse and he and Wilbur got on the sunny side of the straw stack and he stayed out nearly all morning. I went back to Miss Martin's after tea as I couldn't get down before church was out. Enah and Tid. went for a drive with Mexico this after noon. Sunny, cool breeze.

Monday April 28th

Frank and I took a grist to the mill this morning and went from there down to the lake and got part of a load of sand and some plaster to plaster the ceiling in the spare room. We also got a barrel of salt. Ham Thompson came in after dinner with Hugh A. Scott, who came to

look at the cattle. After he left Frank and I went to the mill and got our chop and I went over to Tuppers when I got home. Tupper was down town when I got there but came home before I left and said he thought he could manage his chores himself from now on. I borrowed a setting hen from him. To-night I went down to band practice. Al. Faulkner has been cutting up again. He got on a tear Saturday and went up Main St. in his car about dark at 40 or 50 miles an hour, ran into Bruce McQueen and his wife who were coming down in a buggy and hurt Mrs. McQueen very badly. Cloudy and cool.

Tuesday April 29th

Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning in the waggon and got four bags of Irish Cobbler potatoes for seed, {illegible}, oil cake, bran, & feed flour from Johnson. I went in to see Neff about my Dairy Profit competition and Frank went to get some ledger plates for the mower and some stumping powder but he couldn't get any. We had Joe & Queen and as Queen hasn't been out all winter we had to let her go pretty slowly and it was about three o'clock when we got home. Dad spent the day I think helping Enah house clean. Nice day, sunny, cool breeze.

Wednesday April 30th

Frank and I gathered up most of the shingles off the lawn this morning and put them in the wood shed and Enah raked it this afternoon. Dad tore off some more shingles from the north side of the dining room roof as Charlie said Art would be over this after noon and then he took the team back to harrow the side hill. Art. came after dinner and he and Frank shingled all the after noon. Dad. took the team back and finished harrowing the side hill and I cleaned out the cow stables and then went back and disked on top the hill and Dad. came up and helped shingle. It doesn't work too badly but looks like more rain to-night. Neff was on for a minute or two this morning and brought us some milk preserving tablets. I went down town to-night. Nice day and sunny but east wind.

Thursday May 1st

It has rained most of the day and so we have done no outside work at all. I spent most of the morning filling in my Dairy profit and egg sheets

for April as well as writing this and filling up crop reports for the Bureau of Statistics. Dad. went over to Art Quanbury's and helped him shear a sheep. I read and did chores this after noon. Frank cleaned out the drive house and Dad. made a wheelbarrow for Tid. and scraped plaster off the spare room ceiling. Charlie brought the clipping machine back this after noon and said Art. had all his sheep sheared.

Friday May 2nd

It was raining again this morning but cleared off soon and has been very windy all day. We couldn't do any thing on the land or the roof to-day. Frank finished cleaning out the stable and drive house and Dad. scraped the rest of the plaster of the spare room ceiling. I took the chickens out of the incubator this morning and had a much bigger hatch than I expected and so had no accomodation for them. I have 25 under the hen I got from Tupper but that is the limit of her capacity and I still have 14 in the machine. I tried putting them under the hen with the older chickens but she wouldnt own them so I am going to get a hen from Charlie Quanbury and try to make her own them. I spent most of the day when not with the chickens husking corn. Frank helped me this after noon and we got nearly all the corn that is left husked. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to a party at Anna Holden's. Huby saw Less. Parish to-day who has just got home. He saw Quint two days before he left but he had lost some of his papers so couldnt sail with his battery which is now in Canada. Less says it may be a long time before he can get home and will have to be a {illegible}.

Saturday May 3rd

Art came over this morning to shingle and they tore all the shingles off the dining room side of the roof. It started to rain about noon but we kept right on shingling after dinner and finished that side about four o'clock the rain didn't ammount to much. I drove out to the Shand's this morning to see if we could get some seed barley from them and they said we could. Willie was drilling but the ground was pretty packed. I stopped in at Charlie Quanbury's on my way back and borrowed one of his hens. He had two with seven chickens apiece so he doubled them up and gave me one hen. I put the fourteen chickens with her out of the

{Repeat of previous page}.

machine and she mothered them all right. Charlie was in this after noon on his way home and said it rained very hard out at his place. We did chores up fairly early and I went down to Aunty's to spend the evening. The two Miss Hardings and Miss Martin were there playing bridge. Marj. was there also and to wind up with we had a five handed game of Five Hundred. Rained again to-night.

Sunday May 4th

Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Church this morning. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went up to band practise this after noon. Enah and Tid. went down town as Enah had to practice for the mother's choir. They stayed down to tea at Aunty's but I came home and helped do chores. I went down town again this evening, got Mexico out of Aunty's barn and left him tied to a tree in front of Dick {Name?} for Enah and then I spent the evening at the Monteith's. The mother's choir was a great success. It rained hard during church but cleared up during the after noon but to-night there was a terrific thunder storm and I got caught in a heavy storm going home.

Monday May 5th

Frank Slocomb came over this morning and has been here the most of the day plastering the spare room ceiling and patching the parlor. Dad. and Frank have been helping him. I just did call chores and husked a little corn but got so sleepy doing that I had to quit. Dad. had a letter from George Pilley to-day dated at Toronto and saying he would be here to-morrow so Enah went down town this night after noon to get some paper to cover the new plastering. Frank went to a dance at Pete Holmes and I polished up my horn. Fine day.

Tuesday May 6th

Frank went down town this morning to see if Harry Dyer could come over to paper the parlor ceiling to-day but he couldn't so Frank got Jerry Burtch to say he would come to-morrow morning. I fixed up a chicken coop and moved my little chickens out this morning. Dad. did chores and helped Enah house clean and Frank and I sheared the last two rams before dinner. Ah! Dad. sheared the last one. Just after dinner Aunty Alice and George Pilley came over. We didn't know what train George

would come on but he came at eleven and Aunty Alice met him. This after noon we sheared four of the yearling ewes. Tonight Enah, Frank and George went down to the memorial service in the church. Mr. Jeakins an ex-chaplin was down from Brantford and they unveiled the new altar in memory of the boys who were killed at the front. I was too late getting through to be in time for church but I went down and Marj. and I went and called on Belle Smith afterwards.

Wednesday May 7th

Frank went down with the waggon this morning and got Jerry Burtch and his outfit and he came over and papered the parlor ceiling in about an hour and a half and made a very slick job of it. Then Frank had to take him home again. We got two more ewes sheared this morning and Dad. sheared one with the handshears, but it was pretty dull. This after noon we sheared three more and got a little hay over to the horse stable and cow barn. Dad. put the parlor carpet down this after noon. I went down town to-night. George has been entertaining us with stories of his four years at the front. He was certainly lucky to come through it as well as he did. Rained a little this morning. Fine day.

Thursday May 8th

We started to shear sheep this morning and got one done (the last of the yearlings) when Art. came over wanting to shingle, so we went at it. George helped us and we finished the job to-night. Dad. and Art were till after six putting on the ridge boards but it is all done now except to clean up the mess. I had to go down to band practise to-night and had to leave all the milking to Dad. He didn't get through till nearly ten o'clock. I got a can of Brasso down town and after I got home worked till twelve o'clock polishing my horn and then didn't finish. Frank and George went down to see Ada. to-night. I saw Alan, Art. Munroe and Kilt Moore to-night. They all looked fine. Fine and warm this morning, but colder & rain to-night.

Friday May 9th

We bagged up a grist this morning and Frank took it down to the mill while Dad. and I started to put on a load of hay. When Frank got home he hauled it over to the horse stable and George, Frank and I put it off. Frank then went down to the mill after the chop and I put a little more polish on my horn and then

got ready to go down town. I got down there at half past one alright and at two o'clock sharp we started our parade. We marched up to the school house followed by the girl guides and all the school kids and then played marches or hymns and listened to speechs alternately. R.M. Taylor explained the idea of planting a memorial grove of elms. Jack Martin complimented the Women's Institute for taking up the work and mentioned something about the soil of Dover being very good for trees. Then the three preachers had a little to say. Mr. Robertson winding up with a prayer and the school kids sang "O, Canada" and "The Maple Leaf." Neff was down to supervise the setting of the first trees. Mrs. Bell as president of the W. I. planted the first tree and then the band marched the crowd back to town leaving Huby & Mr. Johnson to plant the rest of the fifty trees. I don't know how they made out. Frank and George went down town this after noon but were too late to see the ceremony. Enah and Tid. drove down also and I guess were late. I went in to see Punk McDonald for awhile this after noon. He has just got back from France and is staying at Mrs Lawson's. I went down town again to-night and Frank went to Craig Long's hard-time dance. George was going too but when the time came decided to go to bed instead. Rained a little this morning but fine & cool after noon.

Saturday May 10th

It has rained steadily all day to-day, not very hard much of the time but a very soaky, dismal drizzle. We sheared sheep in the shop all day and got six done. We carried them over from the barn in the crate and carried them back after they were sheared. Dad. helped us and did chores and George ironed off a whipple-tree, fixed the wool box, and put a latch on the door of the shop. To-night Frank, George and I went down to Aunty Alice's to spend the evening. Winnie, Lila, Dess, Fraser, Marj., Ada and Douglas Skey were all there and we had a lot of fun playing games such as consequences and making poetry. We had to make a verse answering a question and using a word that two others had written on a piece of paper, folded and passed on. Douglas drew for a question "Whether is the song of nightingale sweeter in the morning or the evening" and his word was "Word." Douglas wrote "The word of the bird is sweet." Aunty Alice said "Brevity is the soul of wit." We got home about midnight.

Sunday May 11th

Frank and George went for a walk over Brant Hill this morning and I went to Sunday school but was very late as I cut my chin while shaving and couldn't stop the flow of gore for some time. When I got there {Name?} Ryerse was marking the book as Miss Martin didn't show up and I had to step lively to get the books dished out. I went to church and found George & Frank there. We three went to Aunty's for dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's with the money we cleaned up at Sunday school and found her looking very tired and her father sick in bed. We didn't stay long as the Best's came up, but we spent the remainder of the after noon at Miss McQueen's. I came home to tea and to do chores and went down again after tea and spent the evening at the Monteith's. George & Frank went up to Huby's and to see Ada this after noon. Mrs Hobbes invited them there to tea with Ada. but Frank came home to do chores George went and after tea he and Ada went up to Waterford with Mr. & Mrs. Robertson from Toronto in their car. They went on to Brantford and Ada & George spent a little while with Ada's freinds in Waterford & came back on the car. Rained all day, drizzle

Monday May 12th

Karl. Coleman came over this morning and got the steer I went down with him and saw him weighed. He just came to 960. Dad. was very disappointed as he was expecting him to go at least 1000 but Karl told me to-night after he killed him that he had no fat inside at all. Frank & George sheared sheep while I was gone and I helped them the rest of the day. We got eight done and only have two more to do now. Old Broadley & Jason were here to dinner, the first trip of the season and old Broadley sheared one sheep for us after dinner. Frank Ryerse was in just after tea to-night to see Dad. about a horse that has the colic. I rode down town with him to band practise. Frank and George went to the picture show. Cloudy & cool this morning but cleared off.

Tuesday May 13th

We sheared the last two sheep this morning and got all the wool packed in the big sack. We hung it under the trap door in the ice house and Frank got in and tramped it. This after noon Dad. and Frank took it down and shipped it. Dad. stayed down to get his hair cut and walked home and brought Marj. over with him. Winnie & Dess. had

come over earlier. George and I cleared up some of the old shingles around the house this after noon and I cleaned out the cow stables. Dad. let the cattle back to the gully this after noon but as the fence isn't fixed yet into the field, they all got in, at least the cows did. The calves didn't go out of the lane. I went back after them about five and they were right back at the woods and the felt so fine to be out that I had to do considerable chasing to get them into the lane.

Wednesday May 14th

Frank and George went back to fix the fence in the gully this morning and about half past ten I went back to help them. I had been cleaning up shingles around the house before Dad. had to go (I wrote most of the foregoing while I was asleep, so quit and went to bed) down to Alex Jameson to see a sick horse. This after noon Tom came up to have Maude clipped and to get his fruit out of the cellar and they also clipped Mexico. He looks like a different horse. I spent the after noon gathering up shingles and got the worst of the job done. I went down town to-night. Frank also went down, calling some place I think. It has been warm and sunny to-day but looks rainy to-night.

Thursday May 15th

It was raining this morning so we didn't go back to the gully to fix fence but put on a small load of straw and hauled it over to the horse stable. We then put a small jag of hay in the horse stable. This after noon Enah and George & Tid. drove Mexico down town and Enah took George through the woollen mill. He was very interested in it. Dad. & Frank cleaned out the cellar this after noon and I cut and cleared up part of the lawn. We were to have gone up to Ham Thompson's to-night to play base-ball but Jack Martin came over and it was so late when we got through and a heavy fog that we thought it was no use going up. I went up for a little while though and some of the fellows were there. I rode Frank's wheel up but walked it most of the way home. Enah & I played duets on the piano & horn when I got back. Cloudy & drizzly this morning but fine after noon.

Friday May 16th

It was a little too wet this morning to finish cutting the lawn so I went out and staked out the places for the little trees in the orchard. I can get two dozen all but one in the bare space at the north end of the orchard

and so can protect them by simply fencing them off and will not need to barricade them. It began to rain just about noon and has kept it up all the after noon increasing in violence till to-night every thing is flooded and it is pouring down. I didn't do any thing much this after noon. George & Frank spent the day building stancions for the calves out in the old barn. Dad. and Tid. drove down town this after noon, I think to settle up various accounts. George Frank and I went down to Ada's to-night to a little party Miss Beemer who has lately returned from France where she has been nursing was there and Bill & Zeitha Barwell, Douglas Skey, the two Miss Hardings and the Huby family. We danced and had a very nice time generally.

Saturday May 17th

It has been a cold drizzly day. George & Frank finished building the stancions for the calves and they made a grand job of it. I did a few chores and went over to Ivey's and got some more paeony roots. They are all coming up through the ploughing and I think they just intend to cultivate them all up and put oats there so I thought I would take what I wanted while I had the chance. Enah and George drove Mexico down town this after noon. I just puttered around and built a wren house. I got the cows up about 4.30 and left Dad. & Frank to do the chores and I went down to the Harding's for tea. Enah and George also came and Douglas Skey and Ada. We came home quite early.

Sunday May 18th

I went down to Sunday school with Tid. this morning and George & Frank went for a walk up the beach but we all went to church. Enah drove down to church and Ada came back with her to dinner. Marj. came over to dinner with me. We were very late getting through dinner as Mr. Johnson preached such a lengthy sermon on the subject of having his salary raised. We sat around for awhile after dinner and then George, Ada and Frank went down to Huby's for tea I didn't go down but helped do chores and Marj. stayed here to tea and we went down about ten o'clock. George & Frank stayed all night down at Aunty's so that George could get off easily on the 7.30 train in the morning. I went in on my way home but they had all gone to bed. It has been sunny & nice to-day. Cool breeze drying up the mud.

Monday May 19th

I sowed clover seed on the wheat this morning and Dad. and Frank strung barbed wire along the top of the lane fence and straightened it up where the colts had broken it down. This after noon I raked up and cut the rest of the lawn and put my wren house up in the pear tree. Dad. & Frank kept on at the fence. Broadley & Jason were here to dinner. I Went down to band practice to-night. We are going out again on Friday to help the school kids celebrate Empire day. Fine day.

Tuesday May 20th

It poured rain early this morning and has been cloudy and wet all day but didn't rain much more. I took the hen I borrowed from Uncle Ward home this morning and stopped in for awhile at Quanbury's on my way back. Art was building a chicken coop & Charlie was remodelling his tractor. Dad. and Frank had gone back to the gully to fix fence when I got home as Charlie Butler had brought word that the cattle were on the road. I didn't do any thing much this after noon except write a couple of letters one to Cockshutt asking him to have the bulls pedigree hurried along and one to McEwen reminding him that we have some rams for sale. Dad. did chores and Frank pulled teasels on the road. Aunty came over about four o'clock and stayed to tea. Frank went down with her to-night. There is a great strike on now in Winnipeg and the city is almost completely isolated from the rest of the country as there is no mail telegraph or newspapers. From all accounts they have set up a regular Bolshevik rule except that there has been so far no rioting. It seems that the trouble is caused by certain employers refusing to negotiate with Labor officials outside their own employees and will not recognize the "One big Union". It is surprising and rather alarming to see what a strong undercurrent of straight Bolshevism there is in labor circles all over Canada. Another event of a very different nature is causing the world excitement, and that is the attempt of Aviator Hawker and his pilot Grieve to fly across the Atlantic. They left Sunday after noon in a little Sopwith biplane and expected to make the trip in 20 hours. Last night the evening papers said he

had been sighted 400 or 500 miles off the coast of Ireland about nine o'clock yesterday morning, but the morning papers to-day contradicted that report and they said he had fallen into the sea some where near the Irish coast. To-night's papers however, seem to indicate that he is without doubt lost and they think he fell before he got very far from the Newfoundland coast. Hawker was an Australian, and his English rival for the honor to be the first to cross and win the $50,000 price offered by the London Times, started as soon as he saw Hawker leave but he had an accident before he got off the ground. Three U.S. Navy seaplanes left three or four days ago but they didn't attemp a non stop flight. Two of them got safely to the Azores and the third one was picked up some place. They had a row of ships across fifty miles apart for protection.

Wednesday May 21st

Frank and I were back in the gully fixing fence this morning. Dad. took us back in the waggon and then took the team back home. Old Evans came after him and took him out there to see one of his old horses which has the heaves or something. Frank and I went back to the gully after dinner but were only back a short time when it commenced to rain. We stayed till we got pretty well soaked and then came up and put on a change of raiment and I shaved. Dad. spent the after noon helping Enah house clean the clothes-room and getting ready to plaster the ceiling of it. To-night I went down town and spent the evening at the Monteiths.

Thursday May 22nd

I took Tupper's hen back home this morning and came back through the gully and helped Frank fix fence. We have been at that all day and are not through yet by any means but we are making a good job of it as we go I think. Dad. plastered the ceiling in the clothes room and helped Enah house clean all day. Frank went down town right after dinner and got our wool cheque cashed and got the pedigree for Moonshine which came registered. The advance payment on the wool was $105.00 I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went up to Ham Thompson's but it was too wet to play ball. Drizzled this morning but cleared off fine & warm.

Friday May 23rd

I set out two little shrubs Tartarian Honeysuckle which Aunty sent over this morning and as I put them across the ditch and had to dig holes in the clay and fill in with other earth it took me quite awhile. I helped Dad. trim Maple Hil Nellie's & the bull's toe-nails Dad's lamb which has been sick for the last few days died this morning and Dad. opened him and found a growth on his bowels stuck fast to the ribs and on further examination found him full of tape worms. Tid. and I went down to Aunty's for dinner and I helped them put in some stakes for the peas. I went up town right after dinner to see what the band was going to do but it was raining quite hard at two o'clock so we couldn't march and it was no use going up to the school house as the kids couldn't have their sports. They were all crowed around the park under umbraellas so we all went down on the band stand and tore off a few selections. After we had been there about half an hour some one noticed a crape over on George Thompson's door. I suppose old Mrs Hambleton is dead so we thought we had better move. All the kids had gone up into the hall so we went up there and stayed for the rest of the after noon played a little, and listened to the usual run of speeches. Inspector Cook was the principal speaker and explained the formation of the Union Jack most of which was news to me but the kids seemed by the answers they gave to know all about it. The occasion for the celebration was the presentation by the I.O.D.E. to the school of a flag. Cousin Clare seemed to represent the former and handed a roll of bunting which I suppose was a flag to Mr. Johnson or Mr. Smith I forget which and Mr. Johnson mumbled out a prayer or so and that was about all the ceremony ammounted to. Tid. and I came home to tea and after we did chores I went down and spent the evening with Marj. R.M. Taylor proclaimed Monday as a holiday to celebrate Victoria Day instead of to-morrow. Mr. Watson announced to the kids that although it was a holiday in town they would have to go to school just the same on Monday, but Taylor wouldn't have it so and made it plain to everyone that Mr. Watson would have to observe his proclamation which brought him loud and prolonged cheers from the kids.

Saturday May 24th

Frank and I dosed all the lambs with worm tablets this morning and put the ear labels in the the three youngest. Auson Abbot came in and got the four pigs which Tom had bargained for and after we got him loaded up Fred Krell came after two bags of clover hay for his rabbits and he was here till nearly noon telling us all about the rabbit business. He has a bunch of Flemish Giants, and expects to raise some fancy show stock from them. This after noon Frank took Alfred's spear home and I cleaned out the cow stables and then we both fixed fence in the gully till chore time. Old Ed. Walker and Johnny Richardson came over to-night after their pigs. Gladys had them all out in the yard and her door came shut so that she couldnt get them in again and they were just like so many mud balls. Old. Walker wanted two boar pigs and Frank caught a boar first but old Johnny put it in his bag and then wouldn't trade it with old Walker for a sow as he thought it was a little bigger so we had to corner up another boar for old Walker and Gladys didn't like it a bit. We got them fixed up at last however and they drove off to-gether like a pair of kids with new pets to play with. Fine and rather sultry all day. Looks rainy. I polished my horn up again to-night. Frank told me when he came home that the youngest of the Zealand's William I think his name is, was drowned to-day just below the house. He and Billy Mill's little girl were playing on the boat house landing which has just been built and they both fell in. The Mills kid hung on to the landing till they got her out but the little boy was either hurt or too frightened and was drowned in about two feet of water. He was just five years old.

Sunday May 25th

Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church this morning. Aunty came over here to dinner and I stayed down there. This after noon Marj. and I went to the woods and got some violets. We found Lila up there with Chum looking for dogwood. We then went up and saw Glad. Law who came up for the 24th. I came home to help do chores and went back about the time church was out Frank Ried was there telling of the work of the Y.M.C.A. Aunty Alice said she liked his address. Beautiful day.

Monday May 26th

I spent most of the day cleaning up around the place. I cut the lawn this morning and this after noon cleaned up the shingles around under Dick's window. Dad. and Frank did chores & odd jobs. Frank took a grist to the mill and they hauled a jag of hay over to the horse stable. Enah went over to Mrs. Battersbys to after noon tea and came home with the information that Quint's name was amongst those of the troops just landed at Halifax so that naturally created considerable excitement as she said Aunty & Aunty Alice were quite sure he would be here to-night. We all went down to-night. I had to go to band practice but went down to the eight o'clock car but Quint didn't show up. I saw Win. and Lila and they were very surprised that we should be looking for him. Aunty was to have gone to London to-day but put it off till to-morrow in hope that Quint. would be home to-night. They had letters from Dick to-night and he hoped to sail on the "Empress of Russia" which is due at Vancouver in a day or two. This was a holiday in town to-day and they had great sports at the school house. Today's paper says Hawker & Grieve were picked up alive in mid ocean and are both alright.

Tuesday May 27th

Dad. went back this morning and got the disks and has put in most of the day working up the old garden. It is wet but so sandy that it doesn't matter. I spent the day taking the sod of a strip of the lawn where I want to plant my perennial border and resodding the square under Dick's window. Frank has been doing odd jobs. He treated some potatoes with formalin and dug up a lot of sow thistle in the meadow east of the orchard. He says there is quite a patch of it over by the sheep pasture fence. There were three or four little plants of it there last year but we thought we got every particle of it out, evidently it has fooled us. Frank went down to the dance to-night and I went down to see if old Quint came but he didn't. It has been a beautiful day & looks cleared up.

Wednesday May 28th

Dad. worked all morning harrowing the old garden and plowing furrows to plant potatoes. Frank and I cut up a bag of potatoes and planted them out there. This after noon Dad. took the disks back and worked on the back field next the woods. He said it didn't work

too badly. Frank planted a lot more garden seed in the old garden and I spent most of the after noon taking a piece of chicken wire off the fence up by the hog pen where it was stretched on the other wire and put it across the end of the yard where I have the little chickens to try to keep them off the road and the lawn. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner and Enah drove her down town this after noon. Dad. & Enah went down to-night to see the Hobbes but they weren't home. Mrs. Hobbes has been moved and is going to leave Monday. Every one is very sorry about it. I went down to-night to a meeting that was called to discuss 1st of July celebrations, but as they didn't start the thing going till about nine o'clock I left and spent the eveing down at Aunty Alices. Marj. was down there acting as she said "watch dog" for Aunty Alice. They had a letter from Roy saying Quint was in Toronto.

Thursday May 29th

I went down right after breakfast this morning to get the little apple trees at Uncle Wards. I took Aunty Alice's quince tree down to her and planted it. I helped Uncle Ward take off a couple of upstairs storm windows as he can't climb on a ladder and then came right home with my trees and started to put them in. It took me nearly all day to put them in and mulch them and I have four to mulch yet. There were eighteen of them 12 of which were Snows, 4 Duchess one Spy which Aunty wanted us to put in for Tid. and one a new variety supposed to be all that its name implies, Delicious. Dad. went back with the team this morning and Frank went with him and between them they have worked all day on the back field. Dad. went over to John Wess's to see if he wanted his sheep sheared. He said he didn't know how he was going to get it done so Frank came up and got the machine and took it over. John Wess was working on the land but put the team in to help. Frank was over shearing till three o'clock and then Dad. went over and stayed to tea. Frank sheared five. Dad. three and Wilbur Ryerse was in at noon and did two, one in seven minutes. Frank and I did all the chores up to-night and then went up to Ham Thompson's to play baseball. It was pretty late when we got there and the boys had quit playing and Ham was knocking up flys. Mrs Thompson made us sandwiches. Dandy day.

Friday May 30th

Dad. has been disking all day on the back field. He got all over it lengthways this after noon and started disking crossways. I finished mulching the little trees this morning and set out some tomato plants that Aunty Alice gave Enah. I also dug around some of the little poplar trees along the side road. While I was at that Pickford saw me and haled me over to look at his sow and crops. I was over there till nearly noon. This after noon Frank and I went out to Shand's after our barley seed. They had it all cleaned so we weren't out there very long. When we got back we took the little team back to the field and I harrowed till five o'clock. It was very hot for them. I went down town to-night. Aunty got home from London to-night. Fine & very hot

Saturday May 31st

We have worked on the land all day but as we had old Pommers in all day we had to give it to him easy. Dad. put him and old Harry on the disks this morning and I went around with him for about an hour with the rope through the bit, but as he soon cooled down, we didn't bother with the rope but Dad. walked behind the disks all day. He got pretty well tired out but is big enough to stand it. I had Queen & Belle on the harrows for a little while before dinner and this after noon. Queen rammed into it all day and as it was very hot they were wringing wet to-night. After tea to-night I took the buggy down to the mill and washed it and then had a shower bath under the flume. Got home soon after ten. Frank went down town to-night and says Quint is not home yet.

Sunday May June 1st

Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah drove down to church. This afternoon Marj. and I went for a drive down the Lake Shore with Queen. Dad. went down to Aunty's and Enah went down to see the Hobbes and then stayed to tea at her mother's. Frank went off on his wheel after dinner and didn't get home till about midnight. I think he was down at Dave Ward's. I helped Dad. do chores and then went down town for the evening. It was very hot to-day and the Lakeshore road was lined with cars and picnicers

Monday June 2nd

Dad. took Harry & Pommers back and disked all morning with them. I went back and helped him hook up and then came up and helped Frank mix the barley & oats for seed and treat it with formalin. That took us till about noon. Broadley & Jason were here for dinner and we didn't get a very early start this after noon. Dad. took the drill back with Harry & Joe and I took the seed with Belle & Queen and we let Pommers rest. Dad. started to drill and I harrowed ahead of him and we got over quite a little piece of ground. I went down to band practice to-night. Still very hot and dry.

Tuesday June 3rd

Dad. disked this morning and I harrowed. Dad. had Dave in with old Harry this morning and at first he went fine but after he got started he fought badly. Dad. put Joe & Harry on the drill this afternoon and got some more drilled but on account of the heat couldn't make much headway for fear of doing up the horses. I harrowed with Belle & Queen for awhile this afternoon but poor old Belle was fagged right out. They are soft any way not having had any work all spring and this awful heat they say is killing a good many of them where men are not careful. To-night Marj. and I went to the picture show which was very funny.

Wednesday June 4th

I haven't worked the team to-day at all as it is still very hot and Dad. thought it was unsafe to put Belle in. Dad. has been back all day with Joe and Harry. He finished disking & harrowing but didn't get it quite all drilled. I cut the lawn this morning and spent most of the after noon wheeling the compost heap out to where I want to put the perennial border. Frank did odd jobs in the garden and around the house. Enah and Tid. went down town to Aunty Alice's for tea. She had Dick, Mrs Dick (Molly) & Alan Tibbits down there for tea Dad. and I drove Queen down after tea and Dad went down there and came home with Enah and I went for a drive up the Radical Road with Marj. Frank was down town too and went up the creek.

Thursday June 5th

Dad. took Joe and Harry back this morning and finished drilling the field and started harrowing. This after noon we both went back as Dad. had Pommers in intending to put him on the harrows but he seemed to be "feeling his oats" and showed several signs of misbehaviour so Dad. decided it would not be wise to hook him to the harrows so we hooked him to the drill disks and brought them up around by the road. A car passed us along by the corner field and he paid no attention to it till it got past and then he kicked three or four times and kicked so hard that he broke the end of his whippletree. I went over to Pickfords and borrowed a rope to tie the end of Harry's doubletree back and we got them up without any more mishaps. It started to rain soon after we got back and rained hard for awhile. When it was over Dad. and Frank went back and brought up the waggon and a couple of bags of oats which Dad. had left over. Arthur Preston was over during the rain and we sat out in the drive house discussing the League of Nations, Peace Conference, Winnipeg Strike and other little matters of equal unimportance. I oiled or at started to oil harness this morning. The pure bred calf got out of the barn this morning and we hunted high & low for him but couldn't find him till the rain came and scared him up out of the clover where he had been lying concealed only a few feet from where we had walked looking for him. We didn't go up to Ham's to-night.

Friday June 6th

Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to trim up the walks and the lawn for them and was down all day. I spent the morning filling out applications for the registration of the lambs and three purebred calves, it took me till noon. This after noon I finished oiling the light harness. Frank worked over in the garden disking up the place where we want to set out the strawberries and he set out some tomato plants. Cooler. Old Quint got home last night. I saw him to-night. Bigger than ever.

Saturday June 7th

Dad. and Frank went back and ran out the ditches in the field Dad. has just sowed while I dug up part of my perennial bed. It is so late know that I guess I will have to just summer fallow it.

and possibly plant it in the fall. When they came up we went out and set out about 150 strawberry plants. We went back after dinner and set out the rest of the patch about 300 plants altogether. Frank and I put on a little jag of hay for the horse stable and Dad. cut some of the long grass around the shop. I had to quit early to get down and go with the band out on the "City of Dover" Holbe was opening the season by running free excursions out in the lake and Mid. invited the band to go along in the evening. We had two trips one at eight and one at nine. The first one we played up on deck but it got too dark to see so we had to go down below where they were lights but it didn't sound nearly so well as we were all boxed in. When we came off Mid treated us all to ice cream in at Alf's.

Sunday June 8th

Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah went down to church. Aunty Alice invited Marj. Tid & me there to dinner but Marj. and I came over here right after dinner and got Queen and went for a drive. We went out to Butler's to get my book & brushes which Willard brought home from Guelph last winter but no one was home so we drove on out and turned west at Mt. Zion church and travelled through country that was strange to me and the nicest looking territory we had seen any place this year. We came south through Lynn Valley and Marj. came back here to tea. We went back down town about ten o'clock and a little thunder shower came up but we took shelter on Charlie Ivey's verandah. Jack Paine was in for about an hour this morning Dad. said trying to coax some of us to go and shear his sheep. Mr. Millman was also over this after noon for awhile with Aunty & Aunty Alice & Tid. He brought Percy & his family up in the car yesterday. Percy has rented a cottage here for the summer.

Monday June 9th

We dipped the sheep this morning and it took us all the fore noon. It took quite awhile to rig up the tank and dripping board which we made out of the waggon box

We put it in the east bay in the barn where the floor is about a foot and a half higher than the bottom of the bay and ran the sheep in from the barn floor to the tank and let them drip in the bay. Art Quanbury brought his over and we dipped them making 74 head all told. Old Broadley was here to dinner and we were a little late having it. Alan Law came over to borrow a spade after dinner to dig up some paeony roots so I went over with him and got a lot more roots as well as come larkspur. They are disking every thing up over there to sow oats. The grass is about a foot high and the field looks as about as green when they sow it as it does after its up and still they are hoping to get a catch of clover seed. It took me nearly all the after noon to dig them and set them out. Dad. went back and ran out some ditches in the back field and Frank worked in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went down to the show. We both had a good swim at the bridge on our way home. Enah went down town this morning and sent away the applications for registration of the lambs & calves. We have decided to have a Dickens herd and call all the calves after Dickens characters and instead of having family names & numbers, we will call all calves belonging to one family, names from the same book. We called Nellie's calves Nancy and Oliver Twist and Elgitha's Wilkins Micawber.

Tuesday June 10th

We didn't get started very early this morning as we had a lot of puttering around to do. We had to put the waggon box back on the truck, we had used it as a dripping board yesterday while dipping and one of the ewes no 17 about the best one in the flock needed attention as she is very sick and we have no hope to-night for her recovery. We can't think what can ail her unless she got some of the dip inside her and is poisoned. Dad. was in the back field cleaning out to ditches all day and Frank and I hauled out manure with Harry & Joe and the waggon and spread it on the strip where we want to put roots and potatoes. We cleaned out the calf pen first and hauled it out. Marj. and I went to the show to-night. Fine, very dry, not so hot.

Wednesday June 11th

The sick ewe was considerably better this morning

We were very agreeably surprised when we went out after breakfast and gave her a little help that she got up and stood on her feet. She then drank about a quart of water and has taken quite a lot of gruel during the day. She is very weak yet to-night but we now have great hopes for her recovery. We got Billy in the stable this morning and have had him tied up all day preparatory for giving him his first lesson. He fought hard while we were at dinner for he broke his halter but Dad. had a big rope around his neck so that he didn't get loose. Dad. let him back with the others to-night. We had Pommers in with Harry on the plow to-day plowing the root ground. All three of us went back with him and plowed a round or two before dinner. Frank held the plow, Dad drove. and I held the line in his bit rings in case of his cutting up. I didn't need to use it at all however so this after noon Dad. and I worked the outfitt and I plowed. Frank went to Simcoe to pay our insurance. To-night Marj. and I went for a drive with Queen. Mr. Johnson left three posters advertising the strawberry social up at the Smythes and we tacked them up at the mill & Edmund England's corner.

Thursday June 12th

Dad. and I finished plowing the root ground this morning with Harry & Pommers and Dad. disked it up with them this after noon. I spent the after noon cutting the lawn and washing Mexico's cart down at the mill. Frank went down to Alfred's this morning and brought the geese home as Colin was in last night to tell us they were there. He has been working in the garden most of the day. George and Miss Sutherland came to-night on the Hamilton train and Enah went down to meet them with Mexico. Hot day.

Friday June 13th

Dad. worked on the root ground all day with Harry and Joe. I cleaned out the bull's pen and did odd jobs this morning and Frank put a formalin solution in the dipping tank and treated the potatoes. He and I spent most of the after noon cutting them. Frank Faulkner was in this morning with a sick pig for Dad. to look at. It got as stiff as a board about every ten minutes. George & Miss Sutherland spent most of the after noon sleeping. I went down to see Marj. to-night.

Saturday June 14th

I got home this morning soon after midnight and found Dad. and Frank both asleep, dressed, and when Dad. woke up, he was very anxious about Belle. She had been in pain off and on during the evening but still showed no signs of foaling so he thought some thing must be wrong. I changed my clothes and lay down and about four Dad. called me as he had decided to make an examination. He did and said he was afraid there was no hope for the colt and very little for Belle. He then went to the house and called Frank to go down and get Bruce. While he was gone Belle lay down and in about ten minutes just after Dad. got back had a fine big colt and both he & she are doing fine. Dad. has christened him George Broadley. We planted the potatoes this morning. George and Miss Sutherland helped us. Just after dinner a heavy thunder storm came up. It didn't last long but a lot of water fell and there was a fierce little gale with it. It came out terribly sultry and hot after it. Frank and I hauled a little jag of straw over to the horse stable. We all went down town to-night but it was too hot to dance, we watched them. We three boys went for a swim on our way home.

Sunday June 15th

Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school and the rest except Dad. went down to church. I ran across Quint after church and we took a walk down to the beach. There were a lot in swimming. Quint was telling me that Alan & Dick Tibbitts intend to put up a hundred more bathing houses this week. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over here to dinner but left a lunch for me which I had alone down there. I spent the after noon with Marj. trying to find a cool spot. We didn't have much success but did get a shady & fairly breezy place over in Globe Park, where we camped with some books. The Millmans were over here and took Aunty, Aunty Alice, George & Miss Sutherland down to Auntys where they had tea. They came back after tea and took Dad. & Enah for a motor drive. Billy was with them and I guess kept them highly entertained. I came home to tea and helped do chores and went back again this evening. Frank went down to Wards on his wheel after supper.

Monday June 16th

I felt very lazy all morning and managed to keep from

any very strenuous labor. Dad. went out and disked harrowed and rolled the mangel ground with Harry & Pommers this morning and I think Frank helped him and also worked in the garden. I went down to the Quanbury's to borrow their seed drill but John said it was out at Charlie's place so I fooled around the pond awhile and then drove Joe out to Charlie's. He told me the drill was at Art's place so I went back and got it and by the time I got home it was noon. George & Miss Sutherland went down to Aunty's with Mexico to gather greens for dinner. We had dinner rather late and old Broadley was here. It rained again for a little while right after dinner so we didn't do any thing much for awhile. When it cleared off I went out and drilled in the mangel seed. I sowed two lbs. of seed on 8 or 9 rows and one row of turnip. Dad. cut the grass around the shop. I went down to band practice to-night and had a swim on my way home. After I got home and before I went to bed I was much surprised to see George and Miss Sutherland walk in as I thought all hands were asleep. They had been for a walk. We got some cider and sat up till a very late hour, quietly carousing.

Tuesday June 17th

I haven't done any thing much all day. Dad. & Frank plowed the old garden back of the shop and Dad. worked it this after noon. I worked a little on the lawn this morning and Miss Sutherland and I started to weed out the rose border. This after noon I helped Dad. hook Pommers up to the disks and helped unhook him. An old fellow named Culver from up near Simcoe was in with another Percheron stallion and wanted us to use him, but we told him we were using Jason. I shaved this after noon and spent quite awhile discussing various things with Marion. She reads Omar Khayyam to me and is very fond of it. I enjoy the poetry of it but argue with her on the philosophy of it, she however agrees with him but she is very nice to argue with. To-night we all went down to Mrs. Dick Tibbitt's "At Home" and according to the ladies who are capable of judging such matters it was very nice. To me the ice cream was nice, the conversation very gobbly and the temperature rather high but altogether I didn't put in such a bad time. George, Frank and Marion went out to hoe potatoes this after noon. Frank came in after cider and soon after George was the only man on the job.

Wednesday June 18th

This has been a very lazy day for me. Dad. and I took Billy out this morning for a lesson on the reins and he did very well. The trailing after him seemed to give me a pain and it stayed with me all day. I just sat around from the time we came in till dinner time. Dad. went out to hoe in the garden but said he couldn't find the stuff that was up so he came in and read Whitcomb Riley to us. Frank went to Simcoe on the early car and got back about noon. He got a new horse collar and did some other purchasing. This after noon Frank & George hoed out in the garden. I slept for about an hour after dinner and then Dad. and I got out the cultivator and old Harry and cultivated the garden. Enah, Tid. & Marion went down to the Lake for a swim. Marion stayed at Aunty's for tea and George and I walked down after tea. Mrs. Millman & Billy were there for tea and Billy was reading them the manuscript of a book he is writing. It sounded very well written what I heard of it. Quint & Joe were working at the boat house and I went up town with them but spent the evening over at the Monteiths. Very hot still.

Thursday June 19th

Dad. and I gave Billy a little exercising this morning and then went and hoed in the garden till noon. George, Marion & Tid went to the Lake for a swim this morning. This after noon Frank and I went up to Jack McBrides and got a roll of wire fence and then over to Jack Martin's and borrowed his hog crate. We put a piece of the fence across the orchard just south of where the little trees are so that we can let the sheep in the south end of the orchard without them getting at the little trees. There is good pasture in there now. We all went down town to-night. I went to the band concert as we gave our first open air concert of the season to-night. The reeve treated us to ice cream afterwards and then I persuaded Harry Dyer to go up and cut my hair. The rest of the family spent the evening at the Barwell's I went over there about eleven o'clock just in time to get some ice cream and hear Billy Millman recite "David Lilly" and the "Highwayman" also the "Cremation of Sam McGee." George Frank and I went for a good swim at the dam on our way home. It has been hot but a nice breeze to-day. Rained a little.

Friday June 20th

Frank and I had to go down to Clarence Finch's this morning with old Gladys. We stopped at Hallam's shop on our way home and got Tom's old democrat which he told us to bring over here if we wanted it. A heavy shower came up while we were there. Frank took shelter in the blacksmith shop but I didn't like to leave the team so when I got Tom's rig fastened I came home. This after noon Frank rolled the old garden and disked it. I shaved and read awhile after dinner and then went out and helped Dad. and Tid. pick the strawberries. They got quite a mess and we had them for tea. Enah, Frank went George and Marion went up to the Strawberry social at the Smythe's this after noon and Frank took Joe and went up about six. I went down and joined the band at half past seven and went up in Jim Bush's car. We had a very good time and the festival was a success in every way. They took in $220.00 or more. The band got all the strawberries and ice cream it could hold and then got treated to 2 1/2 % beer which had been ordered to sell at the soft drink booth but which had caused such a scandal amongst the pious folks that they had to take it in the house and hide it behind the sofa and subsequently feed it to the band. Poor band, it certainly is rotten stuff. I came home with Mr. Johnson and Bill Barwell. We were held up at the cemetry by another car stuck in the road so we went to look for some human bones which a couple of kids said they saw lying in the sand there beside the road. Mr. Johnson lit matches and I groped with my hand and sure enough found a skull. We overtook Mexico and his load coming around the hill so we all got home to-gether before twelve. Frank rolled in some time before morning having been down Mud Street.

Saturday June 21st

I raked up and cut the lawn this morning and Dad. and I gave Billy a little exercise. Tupper came in for a visit on his way home from the mill and stayed all morning. Frank and George took the mower to pieces and are going to put on new ledger plates. Frank went over to Tupper's this after noon and got an old binder tongue to make a new tongue for the rake. I didn't do any thing much but sit around and work a little at the perennial border. Dad. Paris-greened the potatoes. Enah, Marion & Tid. went down

town this after noon. George spent the after noon writing letters. He received a packet of mail yesterday from Grand daddy with a telegram enclosed offering him a position as instrument man with a survey party going to Peace River at $100 a month. George thought that was "joke" but another epistle from Grand daddy informed him that he had answered the telegram saying he didn't think George would accept the position. George sent a wire right off yesterday contradicting that statement and this after noon wrote his father telling him that while it was perfectly alright to open his letters he did object to his answering them. To-night George Marion and I went for a drive. Dad. said he would like to see the skull I found so we went up and got it and brought it home. We then went on out through Lynn Valley. It was the first time they had had a ride behind Queen and it was quite a treat I think after Mexico. We had some music when we got home.

Sunday June 22nd

Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah George and Marion went down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Mr. & Mrs. Millman were there and so was Tid. Frank came home to dinner but all the rest went down to the Harding's for their midday repast. I came home early and wrote to {Darrie?}. The rest came home fairly early and Alan, Dick & Mrs. Dick Tibbitts came over for tea. I left right after tea for Nanticoke as Marj. went down last night with {Warrie?} Banfield and I drove her home. It has been a lovely day with a fine cool breeze.

Monday June 23rd

Dad. had to go down to Sam Law's this morning and he drove George and Marion down town and they went up creek. He then drove Aunty down to Sam's with him. I hoed the strawberries and Frank took the mower guards down and had the new ledger plates riveted on. Broadley was here for two or three hours at noon as he had several customers, consequently we didn't get much done. Frank and George have the mower all fixed up ready for business and Frank got a couple of pieces of ash for the rake tongue. I went down to band practice to-night. We saw by to-day's paper that Dick is with the troops that landed in Canada on the Monteagle on Friday so we expect him home in two or three days.

Tuesday June 24th

Dad. and I cultivated the old garden and the mangels out in the field this morning with old Harry. I went sound asleep after dinner and dozed off considerable time, all efforts to wake me proving futile so they say. I had some cider before dinner I don't know whether that was the cause of it or not, after I did wake up I helped George a little who has put in the day making a bigger doorway in the end of the horse stable loft to let the hay in. Marion and I then went out and picked some strawberries. Marj. came over to tea and spent the evening but I had to go to Woodhouse with the band as there was another strawberry social on up there. We had a good feed and I got home about half past eleven just as George and Maron were getting home with Mexico after having driven Marj. home. Harry Ansley died yesterday.

Wednesday June 25th

Dad. went down and got his hair cut this morning and this afternoon he and Enah went down to Harry Ansley's funeral. Frank and George put the shafts on the cart this morning and I spent most of the fore noon correcting the application that I had returned for the sheep registration's. It poured rain all the after noon so we didn't do any thing out-side Marion & I read all sorts of things this after noon, Irish History, Pope, Burns and the dictionary. George and Frank and Tid. played & read. Dad. saw in the paper to-day that the Siberian troops had reached Toronto so was quite sure of Dick being home to-night and drove down to meet him but he didn't come. I drove down with him as it was too wet for the band to go to Jack McBride's where we were booked to play for the Presbyterian strawberry social. I spent the evening over at the Monteith's and stayed all night at Aunty's.

Thursday June 26th

It has rained pretty much all day although there have been fine and sunny spaces between the showers. Dad. and I went out to set out some cabbage & tomato plants this morning but a big shower drove us in before we got much done. Marion came out to tell us that Aunty and Aunty Alice were over here. They stayed to dinner Dess had been down with a letter she received from Dick saying that he was in Toronto but would be unable

to reach home, he was afraid before Monday as he couldn't get his discharge right away. After dinner Dad. drove Aunty & Aunty Alice back down town and a big storm came up while they he was gone. I sat around and read and slept till it cleared off and then went out and worked a little more at the perennial border and Marion and I weeded out some more of the roses till it was time to go and get the cows. I went down to band concert to-night and all the rest were down town too. George, Enah and Marion were up at Ada's for awhile.

Friday June 27th

When Dad. went back for the cows this morning he found the whole bunch as well as the colts in on the oats. They had broken one of the bars and knocked the other one down. I went back with him after breakfast and helped him drive the colts out. When we came up we hooked up Pommers and old Harry and started plowing a piece along the road from in the sheep pasture for rape. He went very well and we plowed most of the day. Frank, George and Marion picked the strawberries this morning and picked 28 baskets. Frank set out the rest of the tomato and cabbage plants. Enah

went down town this after noon I think to see if Mrs. Wilson wanted Mexico, but Clare Herring told her that Mrs. Wilson had gone to Toronto and left her dog here and he was amusing himself eating up the neighbor's chickens. To-night I went up to the Presbyterian strawberry social at Jack McBrides. The band I think walked up from town and I walked from here. They were about half through playing the second piece when I arrived. We were well fed and had a good time. I got a ride home with Frank & Jennie Wards. He was just starting to take her home when I came out the gate. I sent my horn down town with Pud. Slocombe. When I got home I found all the family in bed but Enah & Marion the latter was writing letters. I brought up some cider and cookies and after Enah left us and Marion finished her correspondence, she and I sat and read Omar Khayyam till Frank arrived. Very much cooler.

Saturday June 28th

The cattle were all in on the oats again this morning and I went back with Dad. and put them out. They had broken down a panel of fence over by the woods. George Frank and Marion went back and fixed it after breakfast. Dad. and I finished ploughing the rape ground and Dad. worked

it down this afternoon. He also harrowed over the old garden back of the shop and sowed corn on it with the drill. I drove Aunty & Aunty Alice up to the cemetry this after noon and to-night went down to see Marj. Lovely day. When I got home to-night I was quite surprised Sunday to find Dad. talking to Dick in the kitchen the rest had all gone to bed. I thought as Dick didnt come up on the train he wouldn't be here but he came with Ade and a Mr. Meddlin in Ade's car. He has to go back to-morrow as he didn't get his discharge. I guess from all accounts they had lively times here to-night. Ade brought up a bottle of whiskey & one of port wine and they had finished a flask or so on the way up and on coming into the house. Mr. Meddlin began to to feel his oats. They all had a glass of wine around to celebrate Dick's homecoming and then one to celebrate Peace as the treaty was signed to-day although no body took much notice of it. Mr. Meddlin passed a glass of wine across the table to some one and George rescued it from going down the lamp chimney, then he (Meddlin) kissed Enah a couple of times telling her she shouldn't mind as he had brought her boy home. I guess she didn't. To wind up with as they were going out to the car he fell over himself and just about cracked his "bean."

Sunday June 29th

Ade and his pal were over before we were through milking this morning. They had been up since half past four and had had a swim and breakfast at Hec's then as no one down town was up came over here. Every thing here was in such a state of commotion owing to Dick's arrival home that none of us got down to church but just sat around and enjoyed life. I went down to Aunty's at twelve o'clock for dinner but they hadn't got home from church at half past twelve and as they told me to be at the band room at one o'clock I had some bread and butter and left without seeing them. I needn't have been so rushed as we didn't leave the band room till half past one and led the Oddfellows up Main St. in time to catch the two o'clock car. We all boarded the car and got off at Anderson's crossing walking from there over to the cemetry. The Oddfellows got all their graves decorated in time to catch the four o'clock car and we played hymns

while they were at it. I went over to the Monteith's as soon as we finished playing down town and got Marj. to come over to tea. We didn't get over till about six o'clock as we had to stop at Aunty's & Miss McQueen's for Marj. to say good-bye. She is going to the St. Catherines, Ridley College, Summer school to-morrow on the two car. Dick went back to Toronto at four o'clock to-day hoping to get his discharge to-morrow. We were rather late getting the chores done and the Millman family all came over in Ade's car just before tea. After tea Frank wanted to print some pictures so we all helped him but Marj. and I went home fairly early. It has been a very nice day & cool.

Monday June 30th

Dad. and I cultivated the mangels and potatoes in the field this morning and spent most of the after noon hoeing in the old garden. Frank went down town this morning to see about getting ladders for the rack. He left the pattern down with Reynolds months ago but they have never been finished. Reynolds told him he told Emery to make them Saturday, but Emery hadn't showed up this morning, he thought he was decorating Bert Thompson's car for tomorrow's parade. Frank mowed half of the field east of the orchard this after noon. We have decided to leave the field back of the barn for alsike. I went down to band practice to-night. Dick came in to Aunty's while I was there. He had just got in at eight o'clock and had his discharge in his pocket. He was a tickled boy. On my way home I stopped in and Quint and Hazel Dunkin were there Hazel was staying there all night. He had ridden down from Vittoria this after noon and was wearing riding breeches & putties and looked like the devil.

Tuesday July 1st

I spent most of the morning polishing my horn and the rest of the family doing chores and getting ready for a picnic down at the beach. Dick went down fairly early with Dad. and George, Marion and Enah went down a little later driving Mexico. Frank and I went down at noon. We had a fine spread just below Sovereens cottage, but I couldn't stay long as they told me to be at the band room at one o'clock. I spent the rest of the day with the band. We played for an hour or so on the bandstand and then went out for about half an hour on the

"City of Dover". From there we went up to Buck's park and played one piece there before tea. I had tea at Aunty's and we spent the evening playing in Orchard Beach park. Nothing very exciting happened to-day. There was the usual run of sports, a baby show on the bandstand being the only think a little out of the ordinary. They had about 30 babies entered in it. Mrs. Percy Millman had hers there and asked me to hold it for her which I did for awhile. Chris Quanbury's baby took 1st prize. It was just hot enough to-day to bring the crowd in but not uncomfortable. I went over for a few minutes while we were waiting for the boat to see Alan & Dick Tibbits and Quint. Alan said they had had their bathing houses full up all the after noon. Quint only got his booth about half built and his ice cream didn't come but he seemed to be doing a good business selling soft drinks and cigarettes. Pete Holmes new casino opened to-day.

Tuesday Wednesday July 2nd

Frank was down town nearly all morning getting the rack fixed up and the new ladder put on. I raked up the hay that was cut and Dad cocked up. We both cocked up all the after noon and Frank cut the other half of the field. Enah drove George and Marion down to the station this morning and saw them off. They both seemed to hate to go and we were all very sorry to see them leave. This morning at breakfast we all found a little bottle of grape juice at our plates with an appropriate verse from Omar Khayyam in Marion's writing on each bottle, after we had emptied them I filled hers and mine up with hard cider and she took hers and I put mine away "Till we meet again". Dick has been down town all day ordering new clothes.

Thursday July 3rd

Dad. and I finished or nearly finished cocking up what was raked by noon and this after noon we started hauling in. Dick & Frank pitched on and I loaded. We got two loads in the barn from that field and then hauled in what was cocked up in the field we are leaving for alsike, about half a load there. We had it up by five o'clock and then I went back for the cows while the others pitched it off in the horse stable. Aunty & Aunty Alice were over to dinner. I was at band concert to-night

Friday July 4th

We got out fairly early this morning and had one load on by about half past eight. We left in on the waggon till noon and I took the team and raked up what was cut. When I finished raking, Dad. and I took the load up and then cocked up. We finished cocking up by soon after dinner as there were the four of us at it. When we finished cocking up we started hauling again and got in three more loads and put them off. Dick went down town to-night and Frank went out to see Bill Sidway. He says he is improving very slowly.

Saturday July 5th

We established a record for ourselves to-day in hauling hay. We got out soon after seven and hauled in nine loads to-day and had the last one in the barn by about half past six. We would have had another in but the big rope broke again this morning where Lew Brock sliced it last year and that delayed us for some time. Frank found it would take too long to splice it again so we used the rope Roy sent up last fall. It is an older rope and not so big as our own but seems to work satisfactorily. It was about twice too long so we cut it. There are still about two or three loads left in the field. The boys went down town to-night but I didn't go. I intended to go for a swim after it got dark but I went to sleep and slept till too late. Hot.

Sunday July 6th

Frank and I and Tid. went to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. and Enah went down to church. Dad. stayed down at Aunty's to dinner & for the after noon but Enah came home. I went down right after dinner with my horn as the band gave a sacred concert in the park to celebrate the peace thanksgiving which was appointed for to-day. I came home with Dad. about five o'clock after stopping in for a few minutes at Aunty's to see Louise who came up Friday. I slept most of the evening. Frank went down to Ward's and Dick has been down town all day. Cloudy and very much cooler all day.

Monday July 7th

Frank started cutting the 12 acres across the gully

this morning and has been cutting all day. He raked up what he cut this morning before he quit to night. The cattle were in on the oats again this morning and Dad. had to fix the fence where they got in first thing this morning. I did a few odd jobs around here and then went out and started to eat & trim the mangels. Dad. came out with Belle before I got one line done and I helped him cultivate the mangels and part of the potatoes before dinner. Broadley was here for a long time to-day so Dad. didn't get out very early. I went back with Frank at noon as he took the rake back and wanted some help to get through the gates and then I started at the mangles again till Dad was ready to bring Belle out, then we finished cultivating the potatoes and went over to the garden and cultivated everyt hing we could there. Aunty was over at noon to help celebrate Dad's birthday. Dick went down with her after dinner to post a letter to McNab, his old bank manager out West, who wrote him the other day wanting him to come back at $1000 a year. Dick doesn't want to go back just yet. Soon after they left Dess came over and stayed till about 5 o'clock, then as Dick didn't come back she went down again. She evidently missed him down there for Dick. came home about seven o'clock having had his tea at Aunty's. He rode Frank's wheel back down town but didn't stay long. I went down to band practice to-night. We had a lot of new music and Ed. wasn't there. On my way home I met Cousin Clare escorted by Alan Tibbitts and Totie. Smith. They had been down at Aunty's. Totie informed me that there was some cake left so I went down and found Quint there demolishing the last piece of cherry pie and making alarming inroads into a chocolate cake, but I was in time to check his advance and save a couple of pieces. He had brought down a lot of sweet cherries from home so Aunty Alice give me some to bring home as I approached home I could hear great revelry and found the family engaged in song & dance in the parlor. The Shands had been here. Very nice day sunny but cool.

Tuesday July 8th

Frank went back this morning and continued to cut till about eleven o'clock when he broke the pitman rod on the mower and had to stop. He went up to

Simcoe on the 12 o'clock car and got a new one and also got Joe Howell to fix the old one, but he didn't get home in time to do any more cutting to-day. Dad. Dick and I wemt back this morning and cocked up what Frank raked yesterday. This after noon we hauled in what was left in the field east of the orchard and did it in two loads, but for some reason or other it took us about all the after noon. Getting it out of the little gully made it harder pitching and harder loading. Then the lift jammed once in the car but I got it loose by getting over on it and prying the latch off the gate. Cool day.

Wednesday July 9th

We took the rack to the back field this morning and brought a load up with us at noon. I raked all that was fit and Dad. & Dick cocked up. Frank fixed the pitman rod on the mower and after I finished raking, cut a few more rounds. This after noon we put off the load we hauled up and then went back and cocked up and Frank finished cutting. We didn't get back very early as we had to change the pulley to the other end of the barn and that delayed us a little. We brought up another load to-night. Louise came over here to dinner. Jim brought her over with the mail. Enah drove her down with Mexico this after noon. She can't walk very far yet since having the Flu. Dick Tibbitts was over for awhile at noon. He had some papers for Dad to sign. We three boys went for a swim at the bridge to-night. Fine and cool.

Thursday July 10th

We all went back this morning and Frank finished raking and then helped us cock up. We got it all up in cock by about eleven. Chris Quanbury came after Dad to go and look at Jack's lambs. One died yesterday and they thought two more were sick, they were not though Dad. said and the one that died had a big wool ball in its stomach which Dad. found when he opened it. This after noon I went up to Ham Thompson's to see a poultry culling demonstration. Ushay from the College was down and showed how to pick out the hens that hadn't layed much during the winter & spring by their yellow legs. Dad. and the boys got in two loads while I was gone but it was very windy and consequently hard to pitch

Ham. has a new hay loader and I drove the team for them while it put on one load. It took it up right up out of the swath as clean as a rake would. I went down to band concert to-night but the lights were so bad that we couldn't play more than about three pieces, however we went up to the band room and had a practice. Cool & windy.

Friday July 11th

We hauled hay all day off the back field and got in five loads. Frank loaded and I helped Dad. or Dick pitch on. We have about all the {illegible} of it now and put it in the barn, we will put the rest in the horse stable. Tom. told Dad. this morning that Reynold's drugstore was burned to the ground last night or at least this morning between three & four o'clock. He said the Orangemen had a meeting up above there last night so Dad. said of course they would be blamed for it as Taylor & Reynolds are both catholics. In spite of the high wind they saved all the houses near from the fire but the Chinese laundry shack was squashed flat when the wall of the store fell Dick spent the evening writing to various lady friends, he seems to have them in a string reaching half way round the earth now. Enah and Tid drove Mexico down to view the remains of the drugstore. Very cool.

Saturday July 12th

We hauled in all the hay from the back field in five loads to-day, the last load was a small one. The first load we put off in the barn but Dad. changed the car and we put the other four in the horse stable loft. It was a little after six when we got the last load off and then we went out and brought in the six cocks that were left at the end of the orchard, so that we have no cut hay our for our Sunday. Dick and Frank both walked down town to-night and I think went to the dance and I drove Queen down and back fast for exercise. Cloudy & quite cool. Looks a little like rain.

Sunday July 13th

Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and the rest all came down to church except Frank who went back to the side hill field to hunt sow thistle. Mr. Johnson was away and a Mr. Tillet I think his name was took the service. He has lately come from Serbia and was appealing for

the Serbian relief fund. He was a very poor speaker and looked any thing but starved as he says every one in Serbia is but made it clear that the kids over there were in pretty distressing straits and I think got quite a boodle for the fund. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and I spent the whole after noon there visiting with Aunty, Aunty Alice & Louise. I came home in time to help do chores. Enah went down to tea and to play the organ to-night. Mr. Farney preached but Mr. Johnson got home in time to take the service. Dad. & Tid walked down after tea and came home with Enah & Frank went out to Bill Sidway's with some books. Very hot & dry, wind to-day.

Monday July 14th

Dad. and I spent most of the morning grinding mower knives but I went out about eleven and started to weed and thin mangels. I was at it all the after noon and to-night have four rows finished one was nearly done when I started. Frank cut the thistles in the orchard this morning and was delayed a little by one of the ledger plates springing and catching a section. This after noon he cut hay, timothy out east of the old garden.

Dad. spent most of the after noon cutting thistles with the scythe along the fence in the corner field. Aunty was over for a few minutes before dinner with some raspberries they had picked down home. Dick was down town all the after noon and in bed all morning. Old Broadley was here for a long time at noon. This is his last trip. I went down to band practice to-night and went down to Pete Holmes casino afterwards where I found Dick & Quint. Frank was down town too and I had promised to meet him & go for a swim about half past eleven but when I got there we was in. I then waited for about half an hour for Dick and then went in just as he came. Cloudy & cool.

Tuesday July 15th

It rained a little spatter early this morning so as the alsike was tough enough to work at Frank cut for an hour or two this morning and then raked up the hay he raked cut yesterday. Dad. and I thinned out a few more mangels. This after noon Frank cut the rest of the hay between the old oat stubble and the ditch. Dad. Dick and I cocked up what he raked this morning. I went over to Jacks after we got it

cocked up and borrowed a crate to ship some broilers. I thought I would have about a crate full but when Dad. and I caught them to-night I only got 13 that I thought were worth taking. Enah took Tid down to a picnic that Aunty had to-day for Mrs. Browne & the two kids. Enah went down after him again to-night. Quite cool and fresh breeze.

Wednesday July 16th

I took my broilers over to Jack's first thing this morning and left them for Jack Walker to call for. I shipped them to Mallen instead of Waller, Chris said he was pretty good. Frank finished cutting the alsike this morning and then raked up the rest of the hay that was cut. We ran the binder out and Frank cleaned it all up ready to start on the wheat this after noon. He cut this after noon but didn't quite finish. Dad. Dick and I cocked hay this morning and part of the after noon and when we finished started to shock up. Dick and I went down and got our hair cut to-night and then went with Dess down to Pete Holmes casino. I had one dance with Dess as I only had five cents and then I went over to Quint's shack and spent the rest of the evening with him getting home about twelve. Dad. announced his intention of calling us at four o'clock to-morrow to bunch up alsike and as I knew that if I once went to bed I would hate to get up at four so thought I would go at it while I was awake. I stuck at it till about half past two but finally got so tired and cold I had to come in. I went to sleep on the sofa with my clothes on. Omar Khayyam swallowed a rubber baloon & died to-day.

Thursday July 17th

Frank and Dad. went out at four o'clock this morning and bunched up a lot more alsike but I slept in till half past five. After the dew was off Dad. & Frank went through and pulled all the sourdock out of the alsike they could find and I shocked up the wheat that was cut. Frank came out about eleven and cut the rest of the wheat and Dad. & I shocked it up we got through a little after twelve. Dick, Frank and I hauled in a couple of loads of hay from east of the old garden this after noon and put it in the horse stable. Dad. cleaned out the bull pen. We all went down to the band concert to-night.

Friday July 15th

Frank went out last night after he got home and raked up all the alsike. Dad went out at four o'clock and bunched a lot of it and we all worked at it after breakfast till we got it done. It didn't shell very badly after it was dry. We hauled in one load before dinner but didn't put it off. This after noon we hauled in four more and put them off over the granary. Frank and I drove Queen out to Bill Sidway's to-night to take him a {husk?} he doesn't seem to be improving very fast. We got home about dark and then Frank, Dick and I went for a swim. It was fine. Fine day.

Saturday July 19th

We hauled in four more loads of alsike this morning besides a jag of couch grass which we threw in the bottom of the bay. We put all that we hauled this morning in the bay. This after noon we three boys went down town, the band played in the park as this was proclaimed a holiday by the King to celebrate peace. There was a big crowd in town but they were all down at the lake. I stayed down at Aunty's for tea. I recived a cheque for my broilers at 40 cts per lb.

Sunday July 20th

Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. & Enah went down to church. Huby and I took up the collection. Dad. & Enah stayed down town this after noon Enah & Tid stayed to tea and Dad. drove down after church for them, he came home at six and helped me do chores. Frank Dick and I had dinner to-gether and then Dick went down town but Frank and I stayed home all after noon.

Monday July 21st

We finished hauling the alsike in two loads this morning and then hauled two loads of wheat before dinner, but as we pulled in the barn with the second load it began to rain quite hard so we didn't get any more in to-day. This after noon I started down town to get my money order cashed but Dick overtook me on the wheel so I sent it down with him and I came home. Frank Dad and I cleaned up some oats as we want to put our next years seed away now as there will probably not be much next Spring. Old Alex Ross came in about five o'clock to see again

about pasture for his horse and as he said his brother J.C. Ross from Jarvis was down town Dad. thought I had better drive down and ask him if he could tell us what was causing the wool to come off our sheep. I saw him but he couldn't tell me, he said it was like scab but with it they are itchy. I took my horn down, stayed at Aunty's for tea and went to band practice to-night. Dick was down there for tea too.

Tuesday July 22nd

It was still too wet to do any hauling this morning so Frank, Dick & I cleaned up some more oats and then put what we had cleaned through again so we think now we have enough for seed cleaned up. Dad. picked blackcurrants and hoed in the garden. This after noon we hauled in the rest of the wheat in three loads one of them a small one. To-night Dick & I drove Queen up to Buter's and I got my book & brushes. It was half past eight & just dark when we got there and Willard & his brother were coming in with a load of alsike. The two of them have taken off 95 acres of hay & alsike and have their whole 150 acres in crop. Frank rode his wheel up to Kelly's

Wednesday July 23rd

We hauled in the rest of the hay about four loads all but about 12 cocks from east of the old garden and we hauled one load of alsike from out there, there is also a little of it left. We put the hay in the horse stable and pitched the alsike off in the old barn. The bluegrass was hard to pitch and it took a long time to put on a load. Cruikshank & Harris, district agent for Massey Harris were in for about an hour after dinner trying to sell Dad. a fertilizer disc drill. Dad. said he wouldn't take a chance on it but Frank could if he liked so Frank signed their agreement. He is to pay $55 next March and $100 a year from then. To-night Frank rode Mexico down Mud. St. and Dick and I took some milk and cream down to Aunty's and then went for a swim.

Thursday July 25th

Frank started to cut the rest of the stuff out east of the old garden this morning but had a breakdown with the mower so didn't get any cut. Dad. cultivated the potatoes with Belle amd I thinned at the mangels all day, Dad. helping me this after noon. Dick had a headache this

morning but got some stuff down town to fix it up. After dinner he and Frank went over to thrash at Jack's, they are thrashing out of the field so they had to take the team. Dad went over about 4.30 and took Dick's place and Dick went down town for tea. Karl. Coleman was over this after noon to look at Kate and was to make a dicker with Frank for her. I went down to band concert to-night. This being my birthday Aunty, Aunty Alice & Cousin Clare came over to dinner. I got a pair of low shoes, a shirt, a neck tie, a wash rag, a film and the "Literary Digest" for a year. Looked stormy and has been a hot dry wind.

Friday July 25th

I went over to Jack's this morning with Frank & the team and pitched on two or three loads till Dick came over then I went back and thinned more mangels. Dick & Frank have been thrashing all day and finished to-night Jack had 540 bushels from about 20 acres which was better than we thought judging from the fields near the road. I slept for about an hour this after noon & then Dad. and I went out and finished thinning the mangels & turnips. We then took a walk over to Art. Quanbury's to see if his sheep were affected with the same skin disease or whatever it is that ours are but they seemed to be alright. We thought if they were affected we could attribute it to the dip, but we can't make out at all what it is. We brought the cows up with us on our way home.

Saturday July 26th

Frank had to go down to Ryerse's to thrash this morning and has been down there all day. I put in most of the day hoeing potatoes but took a grist to the mill this morning and went after it again this after noon. Dad. helped me hoe potatoes and put the woodshed screen door on. Dick went down town this after and he and Dess went to Simcoe and stayed all night. It rained a little last night and they say hailed big stones out at Roy Hammonds.

Sunday July 27th

Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school and Dad. & Enah drove down to church. Tid. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and Tid stayed there all the after noon & to tea playing with Rebecca as she and Roy came up with the Millman's last night. I came home soon after

dinner and found Dad. and Enah asleep and Frank had gone down to the Cave with Lila, they stayed to tea down at the Ward's. Roy came over to the Woodsons with me and later came over here and stayed to tea Enah drove him home with Mexico about dark and brought Tid. back with her. Very hot & very windy.

Monday July 28th

Frank cut hay out by the side road all morning and Dad. and I hoed potatoes. This after noon Frank started to rake the hay and leave the patches of alsike. I went out when I thought he had enough raked to cock up but the wind was so strong I couldn't do any thing with it so I came back and started to hoe the potatoes. Dad. took the buggy down town after dinner as he thought one of the axles was sprung. He noticed it the other night when I was driving out and told me that the wheels didn't track. He took it to Joe Howell's and had him come out and look at it while Joe was trying to figure out what was the matter Alan Law who was in the shop burst forth in a loud peel of merriment and informed Dad that the wheels were changed and sure enough that proved to be the case, some one to play a trick, had changed the front and hind wheel on the offside and we had never discovered it it. I suppose it has been done when Frank had it at the garden party awhile ago. About five o'clock Dad. Enah and Tid started off for Charlotteville to pick Huckleberries as they had a card the other day from George Broadley inviting them up. Frank and I got the chores done up fairly well and then I went down to band practice. Aunt Nancy died last night. Aunt Ida is back.

Tuesday July 29th

Frank and I got up after five this morning and went out to see what we could do with the alsike patches. There was no dew but the stuff was tough. He decided to rake it up and I bunched a little and then went after the cows. Frank cooked some breakfast and went out to mow right after but I did chores in the house and barn. I washed up all the dishes and the seperator made the bed and swept out the kitchen. This took me the biggest part of the morning and then I went out to cock up but the wind was so strong I couldn't so I picked out some of the sour dock. Frank had to go thrashing down at Sam Law's this after noon so I took Harry & Queen and went out to finish

mowing but spent most of the after noon tinkering with the mower. The brass boxing on the crank shaft got hot and I took it off a couple of times and then the knives gummed up so that I had to change them and had a very annoying time during which I said several bad words, and just got the thing ready to cut when the whistle blew, as I didn't know but what I would have to do all the chores alone I quit and went up but just as I got the team put away Dad. Enah & Tid got home. They had had a not altogether enjoyable trip, but got quite a lot of huckleberries. I guess Broadley's hospitality although genuine was very Charlottevillian and Mrs. Broadley or Rachel as Broadley proudly calls her is much fonder of plowing and working in the bush than she is of housekeeping. They were not the only guests for the night as Mr. & Mrs. Ed. Billington were also taking shelter under the same roof. Mrs. Billington used to be a Brook, Law's sister. Tid was sick all day and went to bed as soon as he got home and didn't wake up all evening. Dick was down town all after noon.

Wednesday July 30th

Frank went out before breakfast this morning while the alsike was tough and raked up all the hay & alsike that was cut. Dad, Frank, Dick and I cocked up all morning. This after noon Frank finished cutting and Dad, Dick & I cocked up. Then Dick & Frank went up and Frank brought the waggon out and when we put finished cocking up we put on a load and put it off in the horse stable. Dick went down town as he had an invitation to go to Simcoe with Helen Anderson and a party in the car. Cool and cloudy all day.

Thursday July 31st

It began to rain early this morning and rained steadily but quietly nearly all morning and part of the after noon. I helped Frank sharpen the binder & mower knives but spent most of the day reading writing and drawing. Frank tinkered around and put a board on the step of the woodshed door to keep the flies from coming under the screen. Dick spent the morning in bed and went down town this after noon. It stopped raining to-night but didn't clear off very well but we had a good band concert. I went around after it to the Barwell's to call for Aunty Alice who was there playing bridge. Huby moved down to the Tom Law house to-day. Bob got back from the West to-night. Mary Hodge is also home from France.

Friday August 1st

It was too wet to work at the hay to-day so Dad. & Frank hauled out manure all day. Dick and I went back to set the fence posts across the side hill field from the woods to the gully as we want to get the cattle in where we cut the hay off as soon as possible. The ground was so hard we couldn't make much impression on it with the post auger but got one post set. We then went over to John Wess's to borrow his spud to loosen up the hard clay and were over there till noon, but this after noon we made better progress by using the spud and I think got six posts set. To-night Dick and I went down town as I wanted to try on a pair of low shoes at Caley's but they were closed up so we decided to go to the show. We were just a little early for the second show so went over to Pete Holmes where we ran across Bob & Dess, so we took them to the show with us. It was "The Heart of Humanity" a war picture showing just Canadian troops. It was very good but very sad and depicted some horrible examples of German brutality. Roy Dell was with us and could tell us about the places, such as Vimy Ridge

Saturday August 2nd

Tupper was in the other night and promised to come over and help us haul hay when we got ready so Frank went over last night to ask him to come to-day, we also got Jack to send Hanselman over and we put in quite a day hauling with two teams. We got all the hay in that was cut but there is still the alsike two or three loads out yet. We hauled in nine loads, which wasn't too bad, as we didn't start early or work late and the bluegrass is very slow to pitch being so short and heavy. Tupper took in too big a load once and broke the hoist rope a pulley and banged the end of the barn out. The boys went down town to-night. Cool and cloudy.

Sunday August 3rd

Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and the rest all came down to church. Dick Tid and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Aunty persuaded me to go up and see Miss Battersby after dinner to thank her for the wash rag she made me. I came home with Tid. about three o'clock and just as we got here we found Jim & Mrs. Waddle about to take Dad. & Enah for a joyride in their new

car, so Tid went with them but I declined an invitation to go. Dad. didn't enjoy it much, they went way up into Charlotteville and very nearly collided with another fellow which scared them all prettty badly. They got home about five. It has been quite cool and rather cloudy.

Monday August 4th

First thing this morning Frank braced the plank in the peak of the big barn that has the gate on the track in it as he thought it being unbraced had some thing to do with the loads sticking. Dad. and I had to hold the ladder for him and it took quite awhile. Sam's whistle blew over at Pickford's before we finished and Frank and Dick went over there to thrash. Bruce Smith came in, in his new "Fliver" and we went back to the gully to look at Snowdrop. We brought her up and Bruce felt in her mouth and found a long tooth but they couldn't do anything without more instruments. It was nearly noon when he left. Byron & Fred Johnson were over here to dinner. We sat around for quite awhile after dinner talking to them and then Dad. and I put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and went after a load of alsike. Dick and Frank got home from Pickford's in time to help us put it off and Dad. Frank and I went out after another load which we didn't put off. I went down to band practice to-night. There were not many out and Ed. & Harry Moon got into a quarrel over the town waterworks question and Ed. got mad and left saying he wouldn't sit and play with a man that talked such nonsense as Harry did. Ed. had been down at the meeting of the Board & Trade & Council and was pretty riled when he came up and when Harry started in to defend the Council for not doing any thing to hold the by-law for putting in the waterworks Ed. couldn't stand it. Frank and I came home to-gether we found Dick up and all indulged in some hard cider.

Tuesday August 5th

Dick has been down town all day, he went down to get his tooth fixed. Dad. Frank and I put off the load of alsike that was on the barn floor and brought another load in which was the last and which we left on the barn floor. Frank then started to cut the stuff on the old oat

stubble and finished it this after noon. It is no good mostly weeds but we are shy of feed so will save it. Dad. and I hoed the strawberries and then Arthur Preston came over and as it began to rain a little he and I spent the after noon in the drive house discussing various subjects, and he tried to convert me to his rather radical prohibition ideas. Dad. cut some thistles and went over to Martin's to return the ladder he borrowed. Didn't rain.

Wednesday August 6th

Frank raked up the stuff he cut yesterday, this morning I took the buggy over to John Evans this morning to see if he could set the tires and tighten the reins. He said he could but was too busy now but would do it if I would bring it over Monday. I then caught the ten o'clock car and went to Simcoe to see {Slaght?}. He advised me to make an offer of $2000 for Bronzie, which I decided to do after coming home and consulting Dad. and Aunty Alice. It is a pretty steep price but I need the place. This after noon Dad. Frank and I cocked up but didn't finish. Frank and I went down town to-night and went for a swim. Dick has been down all day. Very hot and looks rainy.

Thursday August 7th

We finished cocking up the hay this morning and then put off the load of alsike that was on the barn floor. It was too late to get in any hay before dinner but we hauled in four loads this after noon but didn't unload the last one. To-night I went down to band concert. Ed. was back on the job all right. Very hot and very windy to-day.

Friday August 8th

We hauled in three more loads of hay this morning and Dick helped us mow it away, there were just five more sling lifts out there besides one load of clover seed which seemed pretty well filled. We put the hay in with out much mowing and left the clover seed on the waggon in the old barn, we brought in some sival grass for bedding. Aunty & Rebecca came over this morning and Enah drove them home this evening. Frank ordered a ton of Basic Slag to try on the wheat this fall. Very cool and windy.

Saturday August 9th

Dad. Enah and Tid all struck off for Simcoe this morning Th had dinner with Mrs. Frank Bowlby and Louise

and this after noon took in the circus getting home about six o'clock. They said it was a good show and they had a fine time. Frank and I put in the whole day burning the old grass and weeds out around the old garden and went all over the field from the lane to the road and to the gully. We had to watch it carefully in the old timothy stubble as it ran very fast. Dick spent the morning in bed and then went down town. Frank and I went down to-night and I got a pair of shoes at Andrew's. Quite cold to-day.

Sunday August 10th

Frank Tim and I went down to Sunday school and Enah drove Mexico down to church. Rev. Ralph Moon preached but Mr. Johnson was there too. I stayed at Auntys for dinner and this after noon went with the band down to Kitchen's point where we gave a little concert mostly sacred to quite a large crowd, there is a big crowd mostly country people down there every Sunday after noon. I didn't get home till nearly six as Mr. Zealand showed Uncle Ward and me all over his place. Enah went down to play the organ to-night and Ed. Moon came over here and spent the evening. Cool but nice.

Monday August 11th

I went back after the cows this morning and found five of them over in Ivey's and had a bad time getting them out. After breakfast I took the buggy over to Evan's with Mexico and was over there all morning while he tightened the spokes and set the tires. Dad. and Frank cut the oats on the side hill and as they didn't want to leave till they could bring the binder up, we didn't have dinner till about two o'clock. This after noon I felt very tough with a sore throat and cold in my head so went to sleep on the sofa till tea time and went to bed right after tea. Frank went down to the mill with some oats for chop. To-night Dad. Enah & Tid. drove down town to take Aunty Alice's milk down. Cloudy & cool.

Tuesday August 12th

We put off the load of clover seed this morning, put a new reach in the waggon and Dad. and Frank hauled up a jag of oats before dinner and got the rest after dinner. There was barely one full sized load but they were quite heavy. I haven't done much all day, my throat is better but my head is water logged. Dad. Enah & Tid went down to the James' for tea this being {Eliss?} wedding anniversary. Frank went out to Bill Sidway's to-night. Cool & looked stormy.

Wednesday August 13th

Dad. Frank and I went back this morning and started to put up the old fence along the woods that has been down in the grass ever since we came over here. We found that most of it was good enough when put up on trees and stakes to turn cattle but in spots it was rusted out too badly to be any good and one place it was cut. Dad. felt very miserable all morning and this afternoon he didn't go out of the house. Frank and I went back after dinner and put up nearly all of the fence that was any good but we quit at four o'clock as Frank had to get ready to go down to Dave Ward's and take Jennie out to Quanbury's to a meeting of the Moonlight Riding Club. Dick came over to tell me that the band was going down to Nanticoke to a garden party but I thought my cold was still too bad to go so went to bed.

Thursday August 14th

It was very late this morning when we went back to work at our fence as it looked a little rainy and consequently we didn't finish it by noon but had about an hour's work after dinner, we opened the fence into the gully but didn't drive the cattle into their new pasture as we thought they would roam to the extreme limits of it and give us too long a tramp after theem. When we finished back there we put up a few posts along the top of the field east of the orchard and as soon as we can get a fence up there we will let the sheep in in that field. There was a picnic from Dover in Nanticoke this after noon and the band went down but I didn't go nor I didn't go down to band concert to-night although I guess I could have all right. Louise and Winnie were over here to tea and Enah drove them down after and went with them to the picture show.

Friday August 15th

Dad. and I went back this morning expecting to find the cows in their new pasture but instead found that they had broken the gully fence into the oats and tramped right through them to John Wess's line. Dad. went back after breakfast and fixed it up and put them in on the clover while Frank and I hauled manure. Then Dad. helped Frank at that and I spent the rest of the day getting the posts and wire ready to put along the top of the field east of the orchard for the sheep Dad. helped me put the wire up while Frank pitched

on the last few loads alone. He hauled out 20 loads to-day Dad. and I didn't get the wire stretched very well but as long as it doesn't go right flat I think it will turn the sheep. It has been quite hot to-day. Dad. feels punk.

Saturday August 16th

Frank and I hauled manure all day but only got out about 17 loads. Niel Eliot was in for awhile this morning and Frank went back with him to show him Kate but he said she wasn't in shape yet to buy. This after noon we were driven in but quite a heavy thunder shower and it kept on raining pretty much till dark. Dad. has felt very miserable and weak to-day and has not been out of the house all day. Frank went down town to-night.

Sunday August 17th

We were greatly surprised this morning to find George in bed with Dick. He came up last night and came over with Frank after I was asleep. Ed. Turner has got him a good job as draughtsman on the Welland Canal. Dad. drove Tid and me down to Sunday school and the boys all came down to church. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I went with band and played sacred music in Powell park this after noon. George & Frank were down this after noon but came to tea and for the eveing I went down to see Quint for a few minutes and he gave me some ice cream to bring home. Pretty warm to-day, breeze.

Monday August 18th

Frank and I hauled manure to-day but only got out 13 loads as the rain this morning delayed us so that we only hauled 4 loads out before dinner. It rained again this after noon but not till we were just about to quit. I went down to band practice to-night so we quit at five. Dad. felt better to-day and he and Tid. went down to cut Aunty Alice's oats but they didn't get them cut on account of the rain. Quint took them out for a ride in his motor boat and they got home just in time for Dad. to help me milk. Some garden thief has been very active this last week, about 100 hills of potatoes were dug out of Ed. Moon's garden up on Main St and a lot of beets and carrots were taken from Mrs. Battersby's and Uncle Ward's gardens on Saturday night. Frank drove George down this morning and he got off on the 6.30 G.T.R.

Tuesday August 19th

Frank and I hauled out 9 loads of manure this morning and got it all out of the shed at the cow stable but at noon we had a very heavy rain storm which put a stop to outside work for the rest of the after noon, it rained two or three times during the after noon. I read, slept and wrote to Vernon asking her if we could stay with her during The Exhibition. Frank & Tid went back to the gully. This morning Dad. went over to see how Mrs. John Wess was and Mrs. McCarter said she was doing well but in dangerous condition.

Wednesday August 20th

Frank and I hauled out manure all day and Dad. hoed over in the garden. This morning we put all the sheep in the barn and greased the backs of the ewes which have the wool off. We separated the ewes from the rams and lambs and put the latter back in the orchard and will have the ewes in the field till the lambs are weaned. Dick came home to-night, he has decided not to go to Midland.

Thursday August 21st

We hauled out a few loads of manure this morning but had to stop twice on account of the rain, however Frank said the field was covered although he would have put another load on if he had time. This after noon Frank drove Joe down and had her shoes set and had Dr. Cook look at his eye which has been very sore for two days. There are some sort of pimples under the eyelid. Dad. and I took Belle & Harry out to start plowing. Dad. struck out for a headland all around the field but old Belle was in no mood for work after her holiday and it took us about 3 hours to get once around the field. For the last stretch I brought out the cow sprayer and scared her into her collar by spraying at her from behind. Band concert to-night. This was supposed to be Boughner picnic day but for once it was a complete failure I suppose on account of the rain. Fine after noon.

Friday August 22nd

Frank and I hauled out manure to-day and got out {10?} loads. Frank hauled it out along the side road to-day. Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and was down all day cutting the oats and fixing up the lawns & paths. Frank's eye is better but not well by any means. It has been a fine day sunny & breezy but not too hot.

Saturday August 23rd

We are still at the manure and it is not out yet although the pile has dwindled considerably. Frank and I hauled out all day and Dad helped us put on some loads as he was cleaning out the little box-stall in the horse stable where Bill Philip's pig has been living. I went down town to-night with Frank and got my hair cut. We stopped in at Aunty's and were very much surprised to see Vernon & Mrs. Millman, they had come up in the car this afternoon. I went down to the Casino for awhile to look on and there was an awful jam there. I came home with Charlie Quanbury and as he had mentioned when commenting on the great reception His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is getting in all the Canadian cities that he didn't believe in Royalty, I spent considerable time trying to prove to him that the King & his throne deserved more respect than that and that the British system of government was the nearest perfect of any nation on earth.

Sunday August 24th

Went to Sunday school and church this morning and so did all the rest of the family. Mr. Brand from Nanticoke took the services morning and evening. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I cut my oats. Vernon left on the four o'clock car so I waited till it went out and went down to the station to see her off then came home and did chores. Enah went down to church to-night. Frank went down to Ward's and I went down to the "sheep pasture, Bronzie". Quite warm, breezy.

Monday August 25th

Dad. Frank and Tid. went down to Aunty's this morning and got the oats that Dad. cut and we put them in the box stall. Frank will use them for bedding. I put in a post in the chicken yard to fix up a cross fence while they were gone. Dad. stayed down till noon to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes for her. Frank and I got out two loads of manure before dinner and nine I think this afternoon. I went down to band practice to-night. It has been quite cold and showery all day.

Tuesday August 26th

We expected to finish the manure to-day but although we hauled out 16 loads there is still a little left. Art Quanbury was in at noon to say that Neff had telephoned saying the Judging Competition would be Sept 3 & 4th. To-night Dad. & Enah went out to the Shands to see the Nixon's. I went down to Aunty's for awhile. Cool.

{This entry is by Toby's father}

cutting the East side of the field about 5 O'Clock and I got it all set up. Frank had a very sick turn just as he finished, so I brought the team up and he the cows. We did not get up much too soon for while I was milking we had a heavy rain, but it cleared up in time for Hattie to go down and meet George and Miss Sutherland. We all had tea when they got back, very cool.

Sunday August 31st

It was showery all morning nothing much but not nice to be out in. Hattie, George and Marion got ready for church but it rained when they were ready to start so they did not go and when it cleared off Dick and I drove Queen down with cream for Auntie and found out there was no service. Alice came over in the afternoon and stayed to tea Lila was over too. Dick came over in the morning having come up from Toronto last night by way of Gault. Cool and damp.

Monday September 1st

We were all up early this morning to get George, Marion and Frank off. Frank went down on the wheel. I drove the others down and got there Just in time to see the train move out. Marion ran and caught it, but as George could not she and Frank got off and went by way of Brantford. I came back home and by the time I got the cows up and milked and all the other chores done there was not much left of the forenoon. Enah and Tim drove over to Shands School house and Dick and I walked out, had a very nice time in spite of several light showers, but poor Mrs. {Hank?} Ryerse fell and broke her arm. Hattie and Dick went with her in Jack Walkers car to the doctors. There was a good number there in spite of the day being so showery It seems a long time to Thursday night and it is quite a grind going it single handed but I guess we will manage it.

{This entry is by Toby's father}

I did not manage to get much done today but the chores. I watered and fed the horses before it was good day light when I went in the stable after breakfast I saw poor Joe could not put her near hind foot on the floor on examining it I found a two inch nail in at the point of the frog and I had quite a time getting it out. I finally managed it with the hammer, she is very lame I had to take Harry and Queen to finish cutting the oats. Dick took the cows up for me. It has been fair and warmer to day.

Wednesday September 3rd

My troubles increased this morning when I found six head of cattle in the woods and it was late enough when I had my breakfast. Dick had to go to the dentists but he got home at noon and he and I went back after dinner and got the binder and it took us nearly all the afternoon to get it stored away. It has been fine and much warmer.

{Toby takes up the entry again}

Thursday September 4th

Frank and I reached home to-night on the last car and were mighty glad to get back although we had a fine time in Toronto. Frank was sick to-day but felt better by the time we got home. I went in the beef cattle judging competition yesterday and did very poorly not getting in on the prize money at all. I judged Fruit and Vegetables to-day but don't know how I did. Frank was too sick to judge to-day but he judged sheep yesterday and I guess got something out of it. I spent most of the time taking in shows and at the Fair. Marj. was in Toronto last week and I went over to Hamilton on the boat with her on Monday, she went on to Dover from there. Fine weather

Friday September 5th

Dad. and I hauled oats off the back field to-day, we were late getting started as we had a lot to do and only got in four very small jags. We had to make them small as Belle was very much inclined to balk after her long holiday. We are stacking the oats outside I went down to see Marj. to-night. It has been quite hot all day.

Saturday September 6th

We finished hauling the oats & barley to-day but had quite a time doing it. Belle worked very nicely till the last two loads and then we put on pretty fair sized loads and the first one she balked on the hill when Dad locked the wheel but Dad. shoved it down on top of her so that she went off fairly well. The last load however was a real load and she stopped several times uninvited coming across the field but went off nicely when Dad. put a rope around her front fetlock. That little scheme failed to work however, when she felt the wheel lock on top of the hill but only seemed to make her worse. After working for quite awhile, Frank came back and he and Dad. by main force shoved the waggon down in spite of her. I then let her run to the top of the hill on the road and she went all right till we came to the barn. We had to haul this load in the barn as it only needed a few sheaves to finish the stack but she refused to go into the barn. All manner of persuasion failed to make her budge so Dad. tied her up solidly, took old Harry off and left her there till long after dark. We did the chores had tea and then took Harry out again and hooked him to the waggon and old Belle walked in without a word.

Sunday September 7th

Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah came down to church. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and came over here for tea Dad. & Enah were over at Mrs. Battersby's when we got here at a reception for Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Battersby who expect to go to Shanghai to live soon. Mr & Mrs Millman, Kathleen, Nita, {Tow?}, Jessie Kirtland and Quint all came over in the car to-night. Rather cloudy but close all day.

Monday September 8th

Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning to get the fertilizer drill that Frank bought. We had to go out around by Wiggin's as the Gravel Road into Simcoe is blocked. We got the drill and got home about three o'clock. I went in to see Slaght again. He was sick again but his son told me that they had heard from Thompson saying he didn't want to sell the "Bronzie" property till he had seen it. When we had dinner we put the load of oats off in the barn and Dad. and I took Pommers & Harry out for a while to get Pommers used to going. I went down to Fred Krell's to-night to get the address of a poultry farm. Very hot.

Tuesday September 9th

Frank took Joe down to have her front shoes set this morning and Dad. and I tried to plow out in the old corn stubble with Pommers & Harry but had to stop as the shear was too dull. The ground is very hard and the flies & heat drive poor Pommers about crazy. Dad. came up and ground down one of the cast shears on the grind stone and we went back after dinner and it went fine. It was much cooler this after noon too. Frank took a grist to the mill this after noon with Belle & Queen.

Wednesday September 10th

It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much. Alan & Sam who had their separator over at Ivey's intending to thrash out of the field to-day pulled it into our barn out of the rain and if all's well will thrash for us in the morning Alan brought the engine over this after noon. Some of the cattle got out on the road so Dad. went to put them in. This after noon Frank and I got half a ton of soft coal. Frank went to the Riding Club to-night at Lynn Valley and I went down town. Dick got tickets for himself and Dad. as he is leaving for the West to-morrow and wants Dad. to go to Toronto with him. Alan & Zeitha were over for awhile this after noon.

Thursday September 11th

We thrashed this morning but our granaries are in no danger of colapsing with their load. We have 10 bushels of wheat and 219 of oats & barley and pretty poor stuff at that. Sam moved from our place to Pickford's and from there to Alfred's and thrashed the three places out to-day. Frank went down to Pickford's and Alfred's to help. Dad. & Dick left for Toronto this morning. They were going by Galt. as Dick could get a ticket from here to Winnipeg going that way (all C.P.R.) for the same price as one from Toronto to Winnipeg. Dad. was very loth to go but we're hoping he will enjoy himself. Dick says he will have to stay till Saturday as he has arranged for him to come up with the Millman's in the car. After dinner I went back to fix a place in the fence on the side road where the cattle have been getting out, but found I couldn't do much alone as some wires were broken, It began to rain while I was back there and rained quite hard. When I got to the house I found Aunty Alice and Enah ready to start off in the pouring rain with Mexico & the cart. Aunty Alice

came over to help Enah and said they must get back to post a letter. I persuaded them to take the buggy. I cleaned up the barn floor till it was time to do chores and I got them done up in good time. Frank got home in time to do his. Mostly fine.

Friday September 12th

Frank and I went back first thing and fixed the fence up where the cattle escaped. We thought we wouldn't take chances trying to plow with Pommers and as the ground is so hard we didn't like to put Queen or Joe on and we were sure Belle would balk so we didn't try it at all. Old Ross came and got his horse yesterday or we would have tried him. He has led a miserable existance out here as Dave was very mean to him and wouldn't let him near the gully consequently he spent the whole time up in this front field where there wasn't a thing to eat and occasionally Dave would break in there and kick him around. Frank and I spent the day trimming up the sheep. We got the eight yearling rams looing a little better but didn't give them a thorough carding. We were greatly excited at noon by the appearance of six aeroplanes flying over the place to the west. One of them looked to fly directly over our heads and stood between the shop and the woodshed. They were in a sort of cross formation. One ahead, one behind and two on each wing. Just as they got nicely past we saw one circle and light. It looked as if it came down about at Ham. Thompson's and in a few minutes we saw Colin Ryerse going up the road on horseback, that put Frank in the notion so he jumped on his wheel and went up. He was gone for a couple of hours but he found the machine. It had run short of gasoline and had come down about three mile up the Gravel in one of By. William's field. Frank said the flock had started from Buffalo for Detroit and were Americans on their way to Texas for the winter.The one that came down was the one that was first in the race between Toronto & New York during the Exhibition. Mrs. Selby drove one of the aviators to Dover for gasoline and the other stayed by the machine and gave the crowd that gathered all this information. Frank said all the farmer's for miles around had left their teams to come and see it. He stayed till it went up and said it was very funny as they got young Lloyd Wooley to hold the tail down when they started the engine and he was pretty nervous and let go before he should have as he was under the ropes some way and

was afraid of being caught. The wind caused by the motion of the propellor is enough to blow a man over almost he said. We did chores up fairly early and I went down town to-night. Aunty & Aunty Alice were looking for Walter & Elsie as they are at Roy's and spoke of coming up either Friday or Saturday and they thought Dad would come up with them but they didn't arrive.

Saturday September 13th

Frank and I spent most of the day hauling in the straw from around the bottom of the stack. We got about a load and a half and put it in the horse stable loft. It took a long time to pitch it on and we had to move the slings from the barn. Dad. got home while I was milking. He, Walter, Elsie & little John came up with the Millman's in the car. I guess Dad. had a pretty good time playing with the babies, Roy's & Walter's.

Sunday September 14th

Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church. Morton Brown preached. There was no service to-night. We all went down to see Elsie & John after church. Walter was in church with Aunty, but I was the only one who stayed to dinner. I spent the after noon up the beach with Marj. I came home about six and Frank and I did chores. Dad. Enah & Tid went down this after noon and stayed at Aunty's to tea. I went down after tea, but was late as Nellie and I had a {free?} fight, she scratched one of her teats and I couldn't milk her, she kicked milk all over me. Marj. was down at Aunty's so I went up with her and when I came back it was raining so I stayed down all night.

Monday September 15th

Dad. and I plowed with Pommers and Harry this morning and got along very well, although we struck an old post in the headland next the lane and broke both whipple-trees so had to put on the iron ones. This after noon Frank and I had to go down and help Sam Law thrash, we were down all the after noon and to supper. Walter, Elsie, John and Aunty Alice were all over here for dinner and this after noon. To-night I went down to band practice but there weren't many out. I was in at Aunty's for awhile on my way home. Fine, cool.

Tuesday September 16th

Dad. and I plowed all day and got enough done that Frank was able to bring Queen & Belle out and work on it this after noon, he rolled and disked it. We quit at five and all went down town to-night. Frank, Enah and I went to the picture show to see "Miss. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" which I didn't think much of and Dad. and Tid stayed at Aunty's to say good bye to Walter & Elsie. I went down on my way home to see them but they had just gone to bed. They are going in the morning.

Wednesday September 17th

We plowed all day again. Frank did odd jobs and waited all day for Belle to come up from the back field as she always has done as soon as the sun gets hot but she didn't come up for water till night so he couldn't work her, but he took Queen & Joe out late in the after noon and harrowed a little. I went down town to-night to telephone Archie McEwen and ask him what prospects there were for selling one sheep but he was in Toronto so I couldn't get him. I went over to Dyer's and got my hair cut and then came home and polished my horn a little. Cool breeze but sun hot and flies very bad. Cold nights.

Thursday September 18th

Dad. & I plowed this morning. Frank came out with Belle & Queen and hooked to the roller, they weren't going just to suit Dad so he took them and Frank plowed. Just at noon Dad. had a bad accident. The double-trees on the roller came off and the tongue dropped throwing him forward and scraping his shin badly on the brace of the roller tongue. He couldn't walk at first for the pain but for a wonder he didn't break his leg. He has to keep his leg up all the time as it pains very badly when he puts it down. Frank and I kept on plowing this after noon and to-night we all went down to the Horticultural show. Enah & Tid drove down and when they came home Frank went down I went with the band and we played.

Friday September 19th

Frank and I plowed all morning and this after noon till we finished the side of the potato patch, just as we finished a storm which had been threatening all the after noon broke and it poured rain soaking us We came up and both had a bath before changing putting on dry clothes. It rained all the rest of the day &

night and I didn't go back after the cows. Aunty came over this morning to see Dad. and stayed to dinner but got down town again before the rain. I went down to-night.

Saturday September 20th

Frank went to the mill this morning and took some oats and wheat down for grist. I harrowed with Pommers and Harry all morning andf this after noon till I finished the piece and then I started to disk. Frank brought the other team out and rolled this after noon. The ground works up fine since the rain which soaked right through. Dad. was able to walk a little to day with the aid of canes. Frank went down town to-night and telephoned McEwen. He said he would be down to look at the rams soon. Cool.

Sunday September 21st

It rained nearly all morning but Frank and I drove down to Sunday school and church. Enah was very sick yesterday all day and although she was "up and about" to-day she didn't feel like going out so there was no organist in church and consequently no music. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and spent the after noon and evening up at the Monteith's, coming home at tea-time to do chores. Ade Millman & his wife were up with the rest of the family in their cottage for over Sunday and they all came over here tihs morning in the rain but I didn't see them.

Monday September 22nd

Frank and I started in to plow on the other side of the potato patch this morning and have been at it all day getting on fairly well. Dad's leg felt quite a bit better to-day and he drove Mexico down town and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. I went down to band practice to-night.

Tuesday September 23rd

Frank and I plowed all day, we spent most of the fore noon striking out the rest of the piece and plowed four lands this after noon. Dad. walked out to the field this morning and said he felt well enough to disk if Belle came up, but she didn't come. I caught all my white chickens to-night and shut them up. I wanted to pick out the cockrels. Mrs. Millman, Nita, Kathleen, Orm & a Mr. Bowyer all came over in Orm's car tonight and we spent an hilarious evening. Cool.

Wednesday September 24th

Frank and I plowed all day, we got rather a late start and didn't quite get to the gully fence, which we hoped to do by to-night, leaving just the triangle to plow off to-morrow, however Frank says we can do it by to-morrow noon if we get a good start in the morning. Dad. has disked all day and helped me milk to-night as his leg is a great deal better. I went down town to-night.

Thursday September 25th

We got a late start this morning as it rained or drizzled and threatened to rain for an hour or two but then cleared off and has been fine but a cold wind all day. Owing to the delay we didn't quite finish the field by noon as we had hoped. After dinner Frank and I went over to Jack's and cleaned up enough wheat for our seed and then came back and finished plowing. Dad. disked and harrowed all day and is pretty tired to-night. I am afraid it didn't do him any good.

Friday September 26th

This has been a most unsatisfactory day as we don't seem to have accomplished very much. I went out this morning and finished harrowing the piece this side of the mangolds with Harry and Pommers while Dad. and Frank went over to Jacks and got the wheat and brought it and the fertilizer out to the field. We then brought the new drill out which takes three horses so there was nothing else for me to do. Frank started to drill but we found the fertilizer was running out too fast but Frank didn't know how to change it so as we only got 8 or 10 rounds drilled before noon, he went out to the Shand's right after dinner to see how they worked theirs. Theirs wasn't working right either but they didn't know how to fix it. On his way home he ran across Bill Cruickshank fixing his car on the road so he brought him in. They fixed it to sow less fertilizer but they couldn't throw the fertilizer feed out of gear. They fiddled away for about an hour and after Bill left frank had to tie a string on the grain feed shaft to keep it from slipping cogs and altogether most of the day was spent in just monkeying. However Frank kept at it till he finished the piece but it was after dark. Enah went down to the Millman's to tea to-night and I went down after tea and spent the evening at the Monteith's. Dad. has felt pretty miserable all day. Fine & cool.

Saturday September 27th

Dad. and I ran out the ditches this morning in the piece. Frank sowed with Harry & Pommers and Frank rolled the other piece down with Belle & Joe. This after noon I disked and Frank rolled and harrowed with Belle & Queen. Dad. spent the after noon cleaning out ditches. An aeroplane circled over the farm this after noon and Enah who was down town said it was taking passengers out from Simcoe charging $10.00 for a ten minute fly. Young Arthur McPherson was over here playing with Tid. all the after noon and stayed to tea. He started off very bravely after tea when it was quite dark to go home but sent word back by Tid who went a little way with him that he wished he had said he was scared so Tid called him back. He curled up on the sofa to wait till Frank was ready to take him home but by that time was so sound asleep that he stayed all night and Frank went to tell the folks. It certainly is an eerie spot past Preston's barn & Jonas' house after dark. Roy, Vernon and the children all came up with Mr. Millman in the car to-day.

Sunday September 28th

Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I stayed down to dinner at Auntie's. Enah drove Mexico down and played the organ. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk up the beach to the Chestnut opening. I came home to tea but was too late to do chores as I stopped in to say good bye to Roy who left at six o'clock. I went down again after tea and met the Millman's and Quint who were all coming over here to see Dad. He felt tired to-day and didn't go down at all. Beautiful day.

Monday September 29th

I finished disking the field lengthways this morning and then spent the rest of the day crossing it finishing it to-night. Dad. cleaned out ditches all day and Frank harrowed this morning but didn't bring the team out this after noon, I think he picked the big pears in front of the house. I went down to band practice to-night after which I went over to the Millman's for awhile. Kathleen was in the Lake when I got there. There was a man here from below Nanticoke to-day looking at the rams but he didn't buy as he wanted one registered in the American book. Fine day.

Tuesday September 30th

I went over to Charlie Quanbury's to thrash this morning

We started about 9.30 and finished by noon. Dad. & Frank started to drill the other half of the field in and finished in the middle of the after noon. Then they ran out all the ditches before dark. I didn't do much this after noon but clean up a little and patch up the chicken yard fence. It was inclined to drizzle and was cold. The Millman's came over to-night to say good bye as they are leaving to-morrow. Nita was greatly excited over an adventure they had to-day. They were getting chestnuts from a tree along Farrar's place in Vittoria and a man shot at them. She was scared stiff and Aunty was with them and tried to keep Quint and Alan from getting their gun out of the car. Quint did get it however and pointed it at the man and he dusted for the barn in a hurry.

Wednesday October 1st

Mr. Fleming was in this morning for thrashing hands. He wanted two as Alfred is laid up with lumbago but the machine didn't get there till noon. Dad. Frank & I dug potatoes this morning. We used Frank's digger that he bought at Billy Dixon's sale and it worked pretty well when there were no weeds but where they were thick we had to use the plow. We got eight rows dug out of the twelve but couldn't dig the other four as they would be covered. Dad. dug the ones which we got from Quanbury and which we think are Rural New Yorkers by hand and got a bag full which we will save for seed. Dad. & Enah picked up most of the potatoes this after noon while Frank and I went thrashing. We thrashed wheat till about four o'clock and got 146 bushels and just as the mow waa emptied, the pan under the cylinder broke and Alan had to take it to town. We hung around for an hour expecting it to be fixed but as he didn't come back I came home. Frank stayed there to tea but they didn't thrash any more. I went down town to-night. Beautiful weather.

Thursday October 2nd

Frank and I went back to Fleming's and finished thrashing the grain, spring wheat and oats. We finished about half past ten and they put the oats through in a hurry. I was carrying away and part of the time couldn't keep the measures emptied fast enough to keep them from running over. When the finished the grain they pulled the clover mill into the barn and started on the

seed but Mr. Fleming said he wouldn't need both of us for that so I came home and took a stroll down through "Bronzie" where I found some fine pears. Right after dinner Art Quanbury came in to get me to go and help roof his barn so I was out there all the after noon, his father & Charlie were out too but we didn't get on very fast as the roofing was hard to put on. It is corrugated iron sheets that has been on some military camp building and Art bought it cheap. It will make a good roof but is much harder to handle than new stuff would be. Charlie painted it with some tar roofing preparation as we put it on. To-night I went down and the band played a few selections at the little ceremony they had to present McCauly with a parchment from the Humane Society for the attempt he made last winter to rescue the little boys in the lake. Beautiful day but very warm.

Friday October 3rd

Frank went back to Mr. Fleming's this morning and they finished thrashing there and then moved to Jack Martin and were there all day. Frank went there too. I waited around for the Quanbury boy's this morning but they didn't come so I went out with Dad. and we plowed out the last four rows of potatoes. I then went over to Mrs. Battersby's and asked John if the boys intended working on the roof and he said they did so I walked out. At noon Frank sent word over by Tid. for me to go over to Jack's but I didn't go thinking the boys would want me on the roof but when they didn't come I supposed they were helping Jack so I helped Dad. pick up potatoes and we got four bags.

Saturday October 4th

Frank took some stuff to the mill this morning and Dad. and I raked up the weeds off the potato ground. I also washed the buggy. When Frank came back we hauled up the potatoes and the plow and harrows and then took the plow out to the old garden and brought up what few mangolds were any good. This after noon Marj. and I went after chestnuts and had a great after noon. It was quite hot but fine. We got quite a lot of nuts and no-one chased us. Marj. brought a lunch so we had it by the Vittoria creek and got home about nine o'clock.

Sunday October 5th

As it was raining a littlle this morning Dad. drove Tid and me down to Sunday school and Frank rode his wheel. Dad. and Enah came down to church I stayed at Aunty's to dinner ansd spenrt the after noon with Marj. We went up to Miss Martin's and went to see the Patterson's but they weren't home. Dad took Vernon for a drive this after noon and left word at Aunty's that I needn't come home for tea so I didn't and went to church with Aunty Alice to-night It was raining when I started fir home so I turned in at Aunty's. I found Frank there too in bed.

Monday October 6th

Frank and I went home at half past five this morning and and made our departure so quietly that Aunty came down at six to call us. Sam and Alan Law were in while we were milking to see if we wanted to thrash our seed. They didn't want to thrash up the Gravel on account of Simcoe Fair. Dad. told them to come on down so they came about noon. Frank and I hauled in two loads of coal this morning and hunted up thrashing hands. We hauled a load of chestnut coal which was very poor looking stuff and as we had to take one third pea coal we took next time half a load of pea and half of soft. We thrashed all after noon and got the mow over the granary cleaned out and about four bags of seed. I went down to band practice to-night but there were so few there we didn't have any. Pete Holmes was having a dance in the hall so I went in and watched them for awhile. May Perry and Marj. came up while I was there to look on for awhile so I went home with them. There wasn't much of a crowd there.

Tuesday October 7th

We finished thrashing about ten o'clock and got out about seven bags and a half of seed. I got ready and went to Simcoe Fair on the twelve o'clock car but as it was the second day there wasn't much there. I saw Neff and a Mr. Manning a Y.M.C.A. man and had quite a talk with them. I came back at six with Vernon, Rebecca, Molly, Dick & Alan Tibbits. The Zealand's rowed me across the pond from Ivey's stop. Gypsy had eight puppies last night.

Wednesday October 8th

We separated the ewe lambs from the rams this morning and put them with the old ewes. Midget who has not been well for a day or two died this morning and Frank skinned her. I started to shingle the chicken shed roof this morning and worked at it most of the day but didn't make much showing as it is a long roof. This was Vernon's birthday and they all came over here for dinner. Dad. hooked Joe up to Mexico's cart and brought Aunt Ida, Vernon and the two children over and Aunty & Aunty Alice walked. After dinner we went out and picked up hickory nuts for awhile. Frank went to the Simcoe Fair this after noon and got home at six, he said there wasn't much stock there. I went down town to-night. It froze quite hard last night.Only third white frost we have had.

Thursday October 9th

It turned much milder and rained all morning and has been cloudy all day. Frank and I husked hickory nuts most of the morning and this after noon went down and got a load of stove coal as Huby sent word over that it was in. To-night the "Moonlight Riding Club" to which Frank belongs spent their monthly meeting here. There were about a dozen of them and they seemed to have a pretty good time playing cards and with music.

Friday October 10th

Dad. Frank and I put the rails across the west bent in the old barn intending to move the alsike straw in and leave room for the calves underneath but by the time we got the rails in place the wind was so strong that we didn't attempt to move the straw. Dad. and Frank went out to clean out ditches in the wheat and I tried to pick the apples. There is only one tree in the orchard that has any number at all on and a there are a few basketfulls on the other trees. This after noon Frank took the old drill back which he has rigged up as a spring tooth cultivator and gave the potato ground a good sorting up. Aunty and Aunt Ella & Rebecca came over this after noon Aunt Ella was attending a W.A. conference in Hamilton and came up here on her way home for a very short visit. She is quite a wonderful old lady, over seventy.

and spry as a cricket. She walked up to see Miss Battersby this morning, over here and back this after noon and when I went down to-night she was up at church with Aunty Alice. She is very busy working on the Referendum just now and although she is a great temperance worker, she agrees with me that it would be a mistake to try to make prohibition too tight. Aunty Alice takes the same view of the case. Roy came up to-night to stay over Thanksgiving.

Saturday October 11th

It rained a little this morning and drizzled quite a lot. Dad. and I spent the fore noon rigging up box stalls over in the west bay of the old barn under the rails we put up yesterday. Frank cleaned out the fertilizer parts of his drill and put them away. We all three spent the after noon moving the thrashed alsike into the barn and putting it up on the rails, we got about half of it in. Gladys had {13?} pigs this afternoon, 3 died.

Sunday October 12th

Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. Enah and Tid drove down to church. This was Thanksgiving service and they had the church very prettily decorated. Mr. Reford (I think that was the name) from Jarvis took the service. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner but came home for tea. I went up to the Davis' where Marj. had been for dinner and she and I walked around the hill stopping at Miss McQueen on our way back. I went down town to-night. Huby Roy and Vernon were all over this after noon. Fine day

Monday October 13th Thanksgiving Day

Dad. Frank and I spent the morning and part of the after noon moving the rest of the alsike straw into the barn. When we got it in I dug up the dahlia roots and Frank started to put the door of the barn back which was broken off when we were thrashing. Enah and Tid. have been down town all day visiting. I went down to-night to see if there was any band practice but there wasn't so I went down to Aunty's Huby and Aunty Maude were there playing bridge. They had nominations at Vittoria to-day and Jack withdrew and left it to Pratt and Cridland.Tupper was in this morning after thrashing hands. Lovely day

The paper to-day reports the wonderful recovery of two littlle girls in the Chicago hospital who were poisoned about two weeks ago by their crazy mother with bichloride of mercury. On Saturday Dr. Carter the specialist who has been working with them said there was no hope whatever for the eldest girl but to-day says that a real miracle has been performed and that they both will recover.

Tuesday October 14th

Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning and has been over there all day thrashing. Frank and I left for Simcoe first thing this morning and took the seed up. Frank stayed up there with it and had it cleaned but I came back with the team and got home about noon. I spent the after noon doing chores and put a few more shingles on the chicken house roof. Frank didn't get home till after dark. He got a check for about $2.40 for the alsike and there is about a bushel of red seed up there which they cleaned out but which they wouldn't buy on account of the dock seed in it, but as it is easy to get out of the field we thought we would sow it and sell a bushel of our red seed. Frank went down to-night to hear Cridland. Fine day rather cloudy.

Wednesday October 15th

I have been all day killing my crate fattened cockrels. I killed and picked the thirteen of them and finished soon after four. Dad. and Enah helped me take out the pin "feathers." I had to change all my apparel when I got through. Frank was all morning fixing up the fence along Iveys line and the front field and we put the rams in there & the ewes over in the orchard and field east of it as the rams got so that they wouldn't stay in there at all and this morning the homliest one of the bunch was in with the ewes. Dad. cleaned out ditches this morning. This after noon Frank went down to the dentist's and up creek after school and didn't get home till about seven o'clock. I went down town to-night. Pratt had a meeting to-night at which Dr. Annie Backhouse spoke, she was at Auntie's for tea. It is wonderful and sad the way a crook and liar like Pratt is known to be can wheedle public sentiment into thinking he is an honest man and worthy to be their representative in the House. Alan Tibbitts was over this morning to say good-bye, for he is leaving for Fort Francis this after noon to get there in time to vote. It has been a beautiful day.

Sunday October 19th

Frank and I went down to Sunday school, they didn't have a regular lesson but got the children ready to go to church as this was Children's day. They had a good turn out and the choir which was composed solely of children was fine. Nancy Dyer sang a solo. Rev. Ralph Mason preached a fine sermon for the young ones and they never wriggled all through it. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Marj. and I walked up the beach. I came home for tea & went down again.

Monday October 20th

Dad. Enah and I spent most of the morning voting. I rode Joe out and Dad. and Enah drove Queen. There was a big crowd out at Wiggin's school house and we had to wait about an hour. We all voted for Cridland not that we wanted to see a United Farmer in but we wanted to kick Pratt out. I put three no's and a yes in the Referendum ballot, the yes being for the sale of booze through Government agencie's. Tupper was in and wanted to take Frank out to vote in Dick's name but Frank wouldn't go. This after noon Dad & Frank slew Bill Phillips the pig with the "pimple". He made a pretty fair carcas. I put a few more shingles on the chicken house and to-night I went down town and got my hair cut. Pat. had a big bulletin out in front of the store giving the returns as they came in. There was a big crowd and every one was surprised at the results. The Hearst Government is badly defeated and Hearst himself with four 4 of his ministers are not elected. The United Farmer's have 40 seats. Liberals 31 and Conservatives 28 Labor 11 & 1 independent. Pratt. was snowed right under. Cridland beating 'him' by about 1300. Port Rowan gave Pratt a majority of 45 but it was the only place. Dover went bone dry as well as all the country places. Four or five cities went wet.

Tuesday October 21st

We were supposed to go and help Ham Thompson fill silo to-day but it was raining when we got up and kept it up all morning. We didn't do any thing all day but sit around and read or write. I slept for awhile. Dad. went down to Aunty's this after noon. Frank and I went down to a J.F.I.A. meeting to-night. They appointed committee for next winter which I think will be a fizzle but I told them I was not going to do any more than president's duties.

Wednesday October 22nd

Frank and I went up to Ham's this morning to help him fill his silo and were there till about half past three when we got it full, they had a good run. I was in the silo all the time tramping. I think Dad. put the pork in pickle. I went down town to-night. Fine day.

Thursday October 23rd

Frank went over to Jack's to fill silo this morning and was over there till about three o'clock when they finished. I went out with Dad. this morning to help him get started plowing as Pommers was feeling pretty frisky. I spent the rest of the fore noon picking apples and only got about two basketsfull, they were so scattered on the trees. I went out after dinner and helped Dad. strike out and then came up and shingled. Dad. has had a very lame knee to-day.

Friday October 24th

Dad. has plowed all day, his knee was much better Frank & Tid. went down in the buggy this morning and got a few tile to fix the end of the tile drain out at the side road. This after noon he has done odd jobs. I have been shingling all day on the chicken house roof. Went down town to-night. Fine & mild.

Saturday October 25th

Dad. started to plow this morning and I did a little more shingling but early in the fore noon it started to rain and we had to quit. Dad. got soaked coming in from the field. Tom came in and he was pretty well drenched too. Frank went to Simcoe to get some plow shears. It rained pretty much all day. I didn't do a thing but sit around the house and read.

Sunday October 26th

Raining again this morning but not hard and Frank and I went down to Sunday school, the rest came down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Marj. & I spent the after noon at Miss Martin's. I came home early and helped Dad. do chores as Frank was off at the Ward's with Gilly and Dad. Enah & Tid went down to a duck supper at Huby's. Rev. Skey was there. I had my tea alone and went down to church and spent the evening at the Monteith's.

Monday October 27th

It has been stormy all day and we haven't attempted to do any thing but chores except that Dad. and Frank went out and fixed the fence along the side road where the cattle broke through yesterday and got on Pickford's field. Young {Harn?} from Marburg was in this morning and bought a ram lamb for $22.00. He got him cheap but he drives a tight bargain and we needed the money. The lambs hind legs were a little crooked. Frank and I went down town to-night and I went to band practice but there were no cornets there so we didn't have any. I spent most of the evening down at Aunty's, they tried to teach me to play bridge.

Tuesday October 28th

It cleared off to-day and has been very windy & colder. Dad. plowed all day but said it was very stiff. Frank has done odd jobs. I started to go down town this morning but had such a pain I lay down and slept it off. I went down this after noon and got a pair of rubbers from the man who bought Andrew out. To-night Frank and I went down to a committee meeting of the J.F.I.A. in our Sunday school. Neff & Manning were down we had a fair meeting and arranged for a debate in two weeks

Wednesday October 29th

I went down this morning to help Uncle Ward pick apples (he asked me yesterday) and have been down there all day. I picked a fine lots of Spys all off one tree. I thought of going to Simcoe this after noon to see a poultry dressing demonstration but it was such a nice day I hated to quit picking so didn't go. Frank went over to Tupper's and picked a couple of bushels for ourselves. Tupper sold them to us for $1.25 a bushel. Dad. has been plowing all day. Zeitha & Molly were over this after noon after mushrooms. Enah went down this morning and took Vernon & the kids to the station as they went back to-day. Aunty Alice went to Brantford with them. I went down town to-night. Dad. & Frank spent the evening studying Dad's income tax report.

Thursday October 30th

It has been another rainy day and we have done very little Dad. has spent the entire day and evening figuring and filling out his income tax forms. Frank helping. They are very complicated. Frank went to the mill this after noon. I just read and chored around all day. Very mild.

Friday October 31st

It rained again this morning but then looked as if it had cleared off till noon and Dad. went out to plow he ran out some ditches and Frank threw the sod out of them. I spent the morning pruning the raspberries. It started in to rain about noon and rained most of the after noon Frank went down to the dentists and I just did chores & sat around. I got four eggs to-day. My first pullet began to lay the day before yesterday. Frank went down to the Women's Institute Hallowe'en party in the Town Hall

Saturday November 1st

Dad. has plowed all day and Frank and I trimmed up all the ewes and marked all the long legged & long necked ones to sell if any one wants them. We culled out 13 altogether including one lamb. We valued the lot at about $400.00 but don't suppose we will have a buyer. It has been colder to-day and rather cloudy.

Sunday November 2nd

Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Dad and Enah went down to church. Aunty came over with us to dinner and Dad. and Enah went back with her to tea and went to church to-night to hear Larry Skey, who preached. Frank and I put the ram in with the ewes and then drove out to see Bill Sidway for awhile. We did the chores and I went down and met Marj. who came in on the nine o'clock car. She has been in Toronto helping Clara Gorrie get married. Mid. Thompson gave me a dollar to-night for our Donnybrook trip. Fine day but quite cool. It is very cold out West. Dick said in his last letter that he went to work the other morning but couldn't do any thing as the ink was all frozen so the manager got him to go with him to play cards.

Monday November 3rd

One of our yearling rams has been breaking through the fence and getting with the ewe lambs so Frank made a poke for him this morning and we put it on. We spent most of the remainder of the day pulling mangolds and got four rows pulled and covered with leaves for the night. Dad. has been plowing all day. We had letters from McEwen and a Wm. Burtch on the same mail route as Archie

inquiring about the yearling rams to-day. Frank went down town to-night and telephoned Archie and he said he would be down with another man either to-morrow or Wednesday. Cloudy & cold east wind

Tuesday November 4th

Frank and I put the rams over in the colony yard this morning and trimmed up the lambs Dad. took the pork out of pickle and made fresh as he was afraid the first wasn't strong enough. He used a preserved egg to test the strength of it and is afraid that it floated in a weaker solution than a fresh one would have. About the time we finished the sheep it began to rain and kept it up till after dinner. I haven't done much all day except write out my side of the debate for the J.F.I.A. Frank has been working out in the barn tearing up the old floor and oiling the bobsleighs. Trum Walker was in for awhile.

Wednesday November 5th

Dad. has been plowing all day and Frank and I finished pulling the mangolds and got part of them piled and covered and part just covered with leaves to protect them from the frost till we can haul them in. Archie McEwen and Mr. Baily from Oak Park Farm, Paris. were down to look at the rams this after noon. Mr. Baily bought two which he thought were the best but we could only get $40.00 apiece out of them and McEwen didn't give us much hope of selling the rest although he said Mr. Burtch wanted some. We were rather disappointed about it. This was Aunty Alice's birthday and Enah and Tid went down and I sent her a dozen eggs. Charlie Blake was in to invite Frank and me down to a party at his place to-night. Frank went down but I went down town. Cloudy & cold wind.

Thursday November 6th

Dad. plowed all day and got on very well. I was getting ready to haul in the mangolds this morning and Frank was down getting nails to make sheep crates, when Chris Quanbury came over and told Enah there was a long distance call put in at his mother's for her, she went over but found it was for me from Brantford.

I waited over there a long time but couldn't get through. I was just going out the door having made an appointment for 12.30 when the call came and a woman's voice told me that Mr. Burtch had left on the 10 car and wanted me to meet him. The car was nearly due then so I ran home and hooked up Queen and drove down to the station. Huby went over to the station as the car was in and found out that Burtch had got off at Main St. and walked over having received directions from the conductor, so he was here before I was. He proved to be a very decent fellow but told us the ram market was all off this year and he didn't dare take any more rams off our hands than he knew he could place. He bought one for $30.00 and told us he would try to place the other five if we would let them go at $25.00 apiece. The long necked, parrot-mouthed fellow will have to be eaten I guess, and I don't know whether we will be able to sell any more lambs or not. Burtch helped us make a crate as he wanted the ram he bought shipped this after noon. He stayed to dinner and

I drove him down to catch the one o'clock car. Then Frank and I crated up the ram and took him down to the after noon express. We got some lumber on our way home and by five o'clock had enough cut to make three more crates and had them partly put to-gether. The Quanbury's called Frank in on the way home as there was another phone call for us and he found it was Burtch wanting another ram to be shipped with Bailey's to-morrow. Frank finished putting the crates to-gether after tea to-night. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner. I went down to a card party at the Harry Moon's to-night. We played Five Hundred and had a very nice time Quint was there and won first gentleman's prize and Marj. won the Ladie's. Cloudy, raw.

Friday November 7th

Dad. has plowed all day. Frank and I crated up the three rams and got them off on the morning express. We hauled in one load of mangolds before dinner and three this after noon. We have them all in now except the piles. I went down town to-night and went over to Col. Smith's to call for Aunty Alice. Cold east wind, cloudy.

Saturday November 8th

Dad. plowed all day. Frank and I hauled in the rest of the mangolds this morning in two loads. We put one load in the cellar and left the other on the barn floor to feed up. It took us till noon to pile them all down cellar and clean up the cellar floor. Frank helped Dad. do some ditching this after noon and I did chores. I bedded down the cow stable and put the cows in for the night. Horn came and took his ram lamb this after noon. I went over to Quanbury's and telephoned Neff as he wrote me yesterday asking me if I could go to Toronto on Monday to help him fix up an exhibit for the Fruit & Flower Show. I'll go.

Sunday November 9th

Frank Tid and I went to Sunday School this morning and Enah came down to church. Tim. went to Huby's instead of going to church and he Quint & Huby went up the creek & stayed at Huby's to dinner. Marj. and I had dinner and spent the after noon at Aunty's, then we came over here for tea Quint and Tid came over with us. Zeitha came over to practise a song with Enah to sing to-morrow night when the Prince's flag is to be presented to the town and township for winning their objective in the Victory Loan. She wouldn't consent to stay to tea but after going down the road a little way on her way home she met Rex who scared her back and she stayed to tea and for the evening. I stayed at Aunty's all night to leave for Toronto in the morning.

Monday November 10th

I left on the 7 o'clock car this morning, left Brantwood at 10.17 and arrived at Roy's about noon. They hadn't received my card so were very surprised to see me. I went out to the Exhibition grounds right after dinner and was out there till six helping Neff get a little corner in the Transportation Building fixed up for the Norfolk exhibit, none of his stuff had come so we couldn't do much. I went back to Roy's at six for dinner and stayed there all the evening. It has been cloudy & rained a little.

Tuesday November 11th

I went out to the Horticultural Show at eight o clock this morning and was out there all day and evening coming in with Neff for dinner & supper at the Carls -

Rite. I fully intended going home to-night at six o'clock but as Neff was not nearly through I didn't like to leave him. We were out there till after ten to-night and then were not through. This was the anniversary of the signing of the armstice and it was supposed to be observed throughout the whole Empire by every one stopping work at eleven o'clock for two minutes, this was the King's request. We stopped work out at the Exhibition and then sang "God save the King." and I guess the same thing was done all over. To-night there was a reunion and banquet for some battalion at the Carls. Rite. and {illegible} in for all the racket they made. There was an open air dance and general celebration up on University Ave. to-night and there were a couple of aeroplanes flying around all illuminated. We went up to University Ave on our way home to-night but the dance was over with.

Wednesday November 12th

I didn't get up very early this morning and went down town till noon to get some things. I hurried through lunch at Roy's intending to leave for home at 1.20 but I didn't give myself time enough to get to the station and missed my train by about two minutes. I had a shave and hair cut and went back up to Roy's for about an hour and left on the 4 o'clock train, it was a slow one and I didn't get to Brantford till nearly seven so didn't get to Dover till nine. I went up to Aunty's for a minute or two and then up town to see Marj. Cold to-night.

Thursday November 13th

Charlie Quanbury was through here before daylight and before anyone but Dad. was up on his way to light a fire in the engine and he wanted one of us to go over and help him thrash his alsike. I went over about nine o'clock and we finished about 10.30. When I got back I helped Dad. throw out some ditches in the corner field till noon and Frank plowed in there all day. Dad. finished the other field while I was away. This after noon Dad. & Tid went down to Aunty's to bank up the house. I cleaned out the cow stable and spent most of the after noon cleaning out one end of the chicken shed and putting in fresh straw. It froze very hard last night and has been very cloudy and freezing quite hard all day.

Friday November 14th

It froze hard last night but Frank was able to plow and has been at it all day. I went back to the gully this morning and chopped a hole in the creek for the cattle to drink then I spent the rest of the morning moving the hay around in the horse stable so that we could put some straw up there. We wanted to move the stack or what is left of it in to-day but it was too windy. I didn't do any thing much all the after noon but a few chores. We put the cows all in this after noon as well as Wilkins Micawber Knocfierna and Nancy. Wyatt Waddle and a Frost & Wood agent were here this after noon to sell Dad. a mower. He said if they would alow him $40.00 on the old one he would get a new $90.00 one from them so they were going to try to deal it off. Enah went down town this after noon and sold four dozen eggs for me @ 65 cts. I got 16 eggs to-day. I went down town to-night and Frank went to a dance at Nanticoke.

Saturday November 15th

We spent most of the morning getting ready to haul straw we had to take the box off the waggon and put the rack on. We had quite a time with Wilkins Micawber who being homesick and lonesome for his ma was very persistent in his attempts to jump out of the pen, he did jump out once and we had to put another plank on. Another delay was caused by Ansin Abbott coming after his pigs. Dad. sold him the whole litter, nine, for forty dollars, one was a very runty one. We got two sling loads on and over to the horse stable before dinner but didn't put them off. We put them off after dinner and then while Frank went down town to send off an order to Eatons for a stove which we are getting for the dining room Dad. and I put on two more lifts and put them off in the horse stable. We had very poor luck putting it off as it was too short to lift. We then put on a fair sized load and hauled it in on the barn floor. Still cold but sunny, milder to-night.

Sunday November 16th

Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and was there most of the after noon. Lila and I came over here about four o'clock, stayed to tea and went down again. I spent the evening with Marj. who had been in Vittoria with the Johnson's. Much milder

Monday November 17th

Frank plowed all day in the corner field. Dad. and I put off the load of straw that was on the barn floor and then started to move the stack in. We couldn't put it on the waggon as it was so windy but just shoved it in the door and piled it up on the barn floor. We got quite a little pile in by noon but Tupper was over and wanted one of us to help him thrash. Dad. went so that Frank and I could go down to a tea in the Sunday school to-night. I spent the after noon doing chores and I went down to the mill in the buggy to get some rolled oats and oil cake. 100 of oil cake cost me $4.75. I did the milking very early and Frank and I went down to the Sunday school a little after six but in time to get something to eat. Mr. Manning was there and a good turn out of boys and he addressed them on the organized Sunday School classes. Mr. Manning had to leave at seven o'clock so the meeting closed. I went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. and then went and got shaved and called for Enah at Aunty's about eight and we went up to a party at Ada's. We had a very nice time, there were only a few there, two tables playing bridge and Winnie. Jim Emmet & Miss Perry (Mrs. Freeman's sister) playing Rummy. Lovely day.

Tuesday November 18th

Frank has been over at Tupper's all day thrashing. Charlie Quanbury told me on his way to the farm that there was a telephone call for me so I went over and found it was Mr. Burtch who wanted me to ship the two best rams that were left. Dad. and I spent the rest of the morning building a rcate. We had one crate which Burtch had shipped back to us. We took the rams down to the station right after dinner and left them, then came home around by Aunty's, Harry Battersby rode over the hill with us to Mrs. Battersby's. When we got home we put more of the straw stack in the barn & got most of it in. It was a beautiful morning but turned colder this after noon and snowed quite hard for a short while.

Wednesday November 19th

Frank went over and thrashed at Tupper's all day and said they would have another half day of it but he said he wouldn't go back to-morrow as I want to go with Neff. He was down yesterday morning and said he was going to take the Courtland boys up to Burford & Paris to judge stock to-morrow and invited me to go along. Dad. and I ran out some ditches in the corner field this morning and

Dad. plowed the rest of the day. I threw out ditches till noon and spent most of the after noon doing chores. I went down town to-night and stayed down. Cold west wind to-day.

Thursday November 20th

I went to Simcoe on the early car this morning and walked up to Neff's place, he was just getting the car out when I got there to take his brother up to their orchard. It was pretty frosty so I went back with them to his office and waited there till Neff got back. We started on our trip about eight and went to Mr. Knight's at Vanessa where we were supposed to meet the Courtland boys. We were there for a long time looking over his dual purpose shorthorns. He has some good milkers and his bull is out of Moore's old Dairymaid but all the stock was thin. At last when the boys didn't appear we went up to Vanessa and found them all waiting there as they had forgotten the name of the fellow we were to see. We didn't go back to Knight's as it was late but went on over to Burtch's at Mt. Pleasant. He has some fine Shrop. ewes and we had two good classes of judging. I saw one of the rams we shipped him and he gave me a checque for them. From there we went to Brantford & had dinner at our old chink cafe, it is a good place. After dinner we went over to Burford and were there quite awhile looking at Brethour's Yorkshires. He is fitting up a bunch to take to the International and certainly had some beauties at least if such an adjective can be applied to hogs they were when judged by their own standards. From Brethour's we went over to Gurney's at Paris and were there till dark looking at Belgians. We started right for home from Gurney's but Neff took a road he wasn't familiar with and just north of Scotland we struck an awful bit of trail going through a swampy piece of bush. We thought several times we were going to be stalled and there was no possible chance of turning around. Neff and I were ahead in his Ford and the other boys were following us in a McLaughlin & a Gray Dort. However we did get through it eventually and stopped at Scotland for Neff to fill his car with water, when the other boys came up there was some tall language used at Neff for taking then over such a road. That was the last we saw of them for they struck off west from Scotland on the Talbot road for Delhi while Neff and I came right down the town line to Simcoe. I had tea at Neff's

place and then he drove me down to the L.E.& N. station where I caught the nine o'clock car. The weather couldn't have been nicer.

Friday November 21st

Dad. plowed all day and got on well. He was at it yesterday but it was frozen so hard he had a hard time Frank and I spent the morning throwing out ditches. This after noon we (Frank & I) went down town and got a load of coal as Huby sent a note over to say there was a car in. It is what they call washery not coal and is dull owing to the fact that it has been out in the weather for a year, it is also full of clinkers. Frank & I went down town to-night and he went to the Women's Institute dance in the hall. It has been milder & stormy looking.

Saturday November 22nd

Dad. was up at five o'clock this morning and so was in time to see Frank getting home from the dance. He just changed his clothes and went to work without any sleep. Dad. plowed all day and got a lot done as he had such a good start. Frank and I put up the straw that was on the barn floor this morning into the mow. This afternoon I did chores and we unloaded the coal we got yesterday. Frank went down town to-night and met George who came up from Allanburg to spend Sunday. Frank went to bed as soon as he got home. There was supposed to be an eclipse of the sun this morning but it was too cloudy to see it. Cloudy all day.

Sunday November 23rd

Frank and I went down to Sunday school and I alone went to church. Marj. came over here to dinner and we have all been home all after noon and evening. Frank, Tid and George went out for awhile with the rifle this after noon Quint came over here to tea and spent the evening. The Grand Trunk round house burned down last night and ruined the two engines. Fine but a rather cold wind.

Monday November 24th

Dad. has plowed all day and got on very well. Frank and I went down and got a load of soft coal this morning. We took George down with us and he left on the eleven o'clock car. We also took Gypsy down to Quint who is going to take her up to Bill Oakes at Turkey Point. Bill has charge of Dr. McInnes's "farm" there and goes halves with the

doctor on the trapping and shooting. The doctor has gone to South America for the winter. Dad. suggested to Quint that he take Gyp. up there and put Tid. off by saying that Bill would train her and send her back. Tid was quite willing for her to go yesterday but as the hour of parting drew near he decided she shouldn't go. Frank took her however and Tid was overwhelmed with grief. This after noon I did chores and Frank let down the lane fence on the posts along the wheat so that the sheep couldn't get in and pulled what few turnips there were and then we went out with Joe & Queen and got them. Fine day.

Tuesday November 25th

Dad. was out at daybreak this morning and got in a good day's plowing. Frank and I spent the day doing odd jobs. We battened up Moonshine's stall this morning and Frank fixed the manger in the corner where he stood all summer and put Kate in so that he can feed her. He sold her to Karl the other day but he doesn't want to take her yet, so said he would pay for the chop she ate if Frank would feed her. I put tar paper around the little apple trees this after noon to protect them from the mice. Aunty Alice was over for a few minutes this morning and brought some salve for Tid's forhead. Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. social evening in the Sunday school to-night. There was a big turnout and we had quite an hilarious time much after the fasion of the ones we had last winter. It has been mild & cloudy and rather misty all day.

Wednesday November 26th

Dad. plowed from day light till dark and got a lot turned over. I spent nearly the whole day doing chores but went out for awhile and cleaned out a few ditches. Frank has felt rather tough all day with a pain but he did a little ditching and this after noon went down and helped Tige clean out the Sunday school. I went down to band practice, there were about half a dozen there and we sat around the stove talking about the income tax till about nine o'clock then I went downstairs and ran across Marj. so went up and spent the evening with her. I came back past the hall where there was a U.F.O. meeting going on so I asked Corby if they practised. He said they did a little and Clare Deal took my horn home. Cloudy & freezing raw east wind.

Thursday November 27th

Dad. plowed all day but as it has been freezing a little ever since yesterday it plowed pretty stiff and he didn't get quite so much done, however, he is just about to the old cherry tree so will soon be done. I cleaned a few ditches this morning but spent most of the day doing chores. Frank took some oats to the mill this morning but there wasn't enough water to chop it. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night. Marj. was there and after tea she Aunty Alice & I went to see "Venus in the East" at the picture show. After the show Aunty Alice went to play bridge at Cousin Clare's and I called for her.

Friday November 28th

It froze hard last night and there was no chance of plowing and most of the morning was spent doing chores and gettin Enah & Tid. started off for Toronto. They went to Brantford on the eleven o'clock car and were going to take a train for Toronto from there after dinner.They drove Mexico down town and Dad. walked down, stayed to dinner and drove back this after noon. He said Tid. at the last minute was very loth to leave and seemed quite sick.They didn't know whether he was cold or excited, but they persuaded him to go as far as Brantford and then if he still felt sick he could come back, but as they haven't showed up I guess he recovered. This after noon Frank borrowed Jack Martin's hog crate and we weighed up his four hogs, they just averaged 200 lbs apiece. We did chores up early and I went to bed soon after tea and Frank went out to Bill Sidway's.

Saturday November 29th

Frank got breakfast this morning and right after breakfast Dad. left home and didn't show up till after dinner. He went down to Aunty's to clean up a little down there around the barn. Frank has been doing housework all day and I have been doing chores. It began to rain quite early this fore noon and has kept it up all day clearing off at night and a strong west wind taking its place by ten o'clock there was a regular hurricane blowing and it was increasing in violence. Frank went down town to-night and said when he got home that there were several trees blown down and the false front above the roof of Hugh McQueen's store had blown off.

Sunday November 30th

The wind was still very high this morning and has abated very little by this evening but has not been so strong as it must have been during the night. We got off with very little damage. It blew the north doors off the old barn and two or three boards from the big barn and tipped over the "library." When Dad. got up the windmill had blown in gear and was going like mad. He ran out to shut it off with scarcely any clothes on and nearly froze. He found the barnyard half flooded. We heard later that the wind blew Edmond England's windmill down and the head of John Wess's. It wrecked the big drying kiln over at the brickyard and blew down a new building that Kolbe was just putting up. Frank & I went down to Sunday school and church this morning & stayed at Aunty's for dinner. This after noon I drove down to Nanticoke to bring Marj. home as she went down to the Banfield's Friday night. The roads were rather rough but it wasn't bad. I was bundled up so with Dad's fur coat I couldn't feel the wind. I took a fur coat of Aunty Alice's down for Marj. so she didn't get very cold. We got home soon after six. I came home and had tea and then went back down town again. Frank & Alex England went down Mud Street to-night.

Monday December 1st

We haven't done much but chores to-day, they take most of our time now that the cattle are all in. Dad. fixed the fence that the wind blew down and nailed on the boards that had blown off and we re-established parliament. Aunty came over and helped Frank get dinner but didn't stay long after dinner. I shifted the chickens around to-night. I put the old hens in where the roosters were and put all but two of them in the fattening crate. I left one in with the old hens and put the one that was so full of fight in with the pullets. Fine day, freezing all day, cloudy. Owing to the coal-miner's strike and the shortage of soft coal The G.T.R. has taken off 70 trains from Ontario lines, all our midday trains being included so that we don't get our mail till the day after it comes in now. Jim comes early.

Tuesday December 2nd

Did nothing but chores to-day. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner but came home right after and we brought the rams up and put them in the field back of the barn. It snowed last night and quite a bit this morning and to-night is 10° above zero. Frank and I went down town to-night. Lovely night but frosty.

Wednesday December 3rd

Have put in most of the day doing chores, but made a box this after noon to ship my pair of dressed cockrels up to the Winter Fair and Frank painted it for me. Tupper came over after dinner and took Dad. over with him to help him kill his old sow, so Dad. was over there all the after noon and to tea. He shouldn't have gone as his cold made him feel sick and he got cold over there. To-night I went down to band practice. Freezing all day and 8° above zero to-night.

Thursday December 4th

Aunty Alice came over to dinner to-day and thought Frank's housekeeping was splendid, if he keeps on he will make a fine wife for somebody someday. Besides the chores we managed to get time to put the old box stove out of the shop up in the dining room this morning and to-night Dad. has a fire in it and it is nice and warm. We ordered a Quebec Heater from Eaton's but it was too cold to wait for it to come. Dad. went over to John Wess's this after noon to ask him if he had any intentions of selling out but he wasn't home, both he & Mrs. McBride are in bad shape. I went down to the mill in the buggy after some chicken feed. Milder.

Friday December 5th

Dad. has done most of the chores to-day as I put in a lot of time killing and fixing up my cockrels which I am going to send up to the Guelph Winter Fair. I killed four and will take the two best and send them up. I had good luck killing and plucking them and as there were no pin feathers they looked very nice. I found the box I had made to ship them in was too small so I went over to Jack Martin's this after noon and got another. They were boxing up a shipment of chickens for Australia over there. I am going down town to-night. It has been milder but still freezing.

Saturday December 6th

I made another box to ship my cockrels in this morning and got them packed and shipped by this afternoon's express. Frank and I went down town in the waggon and got a bag of sugar whch Aunty ordered for us the other day and got some chop at the mill. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and most of the after noon darning socks for us. Snowed all after noon, milder.

Sunday December 7th

Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church and

stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Frank went home right after dinner but I stayed down all afternoon and evening and had tea at Aunty's and went to church with Aunty Alice & Dad. I spent the after noon and evening with Marj. Dad. did all the chores and came down to Aunty's for tea. He took Molly for a sleigh drive this after noon but the cutter didn't slip very well. Fine day.

Monday December 8th

We haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank has been very busy all day getting the house slicked up in preparation for Enah's & Tid's homecoming to-night. He has made a fine housekeeper and cook but looks forward to chucking the job to-morrow. Dad. and I drove down town with the cutter as soon as we got the night chores done but had to wait around town for nearly an hour as the seven o'clock car was very late Enah & Tid were aboard and Dad drove them home and I walked. Frank had a good tea already for us when we got home and I was ready for it. Enah and Tid both had a good time in Toronto but were glad to be home.

Tuesday December 9th

It turned very mild during the night and rained all morning and has been very spring-like all day. I spent most of the day doing chores and Dad. and Frank fixed up a place to hang pigs as we expect to kill to-morrow. Frank and I went down to a J.F.I.A. meeting to-night in the Sunday school. It was supposed to be an agricultural evening and in the hands of that commitee but as Lloyd & George Ryerse were the only other members present we adjourned and Frank and I went down to Auntys for the remainder of the eveing.

Wednesday December 10th

We had intended butchering our hogs to-day but it was so cold and windy that Dad. decided not to. He went over to Tupper's to tell him so as Tupper was coming over to help. Dad. was over there most of the morning. Tupper told him that he had sold out to Tom Butler and his pal. Neil Elliot was in after dinner and bought Snowdrop for thirty dollars. I wernt down to band practice to-night. Very cold & windy, near zero.

Thursday December 11th

It was still very frosty this morning but the wind had died down so Tupper came over to slay our porkers. I didn't have much to do with the ceremony as I was

busy doing chores. I did help a little after the pigs were scalded but couldn't work hard enough to keep warm, so quit. Right after dinner I took poor old Snowdrop down to the Dog's Nest where Neils man was to call for her. I didn't see him but tied her in the Gospel Hall shed and left her. I just did chores after I got home. They finished the pigs about three o'clock and the four of them hanging behind the shop make it look as if we wouldn't starve this winter anyway. Aunty. Marj. & Win all came over here to tea and we had the crate fattened roosters.

Friday December 12th

Dad. has put in the entire day dissecting the dead pigs and got through by to-night and has the woodshed piled full. I put in most of the day doing chores. Arthur Preston was over this afternoon and told us they were going to thin half the trees out of their orchard and that if we would clean them out we could have all the wood for doing it, so Dad. was higly pleased with the proposition. Jack Walker was over canvassing for subscriptions to a fund to buy a new organ for the church. I went down town to-night but it was raining when I came home so I stayed at Aunty's all night. Huby got moved to-day to their house up on St Andrew Street. Turned soft last night. Very mild all day.

Saturday December 13th

I did chores this morning and Dad. & Frank took Gladys down to Clarence Finch's. This after noon Frank and I hauled home a load of chestnut coal as Kolbe just got a car in and we put it in the old coldframe near the colony house as I intend to use it for a brooder. Dad. has been busy all after noon and evening putting the pork in the pickle. Colder.

Sunday December 14th

Frank and I went to Sunday school and church. Frank rode his wheel and took Tid. down on it but Tid. was so cold when they got to Aunty's that he stayed there till he got warm and then walked home. Marj. came over here to dinner to help eat spare ribs and she stayed all the evening. Enah went down to choir practice this after noon. Frank lit out for Mud Street after dinner and didn't get back till night Dad. and I did up the chores but didn't milk. Dad. went down after tea to see Aunty Alice as her cold was bad and she had a lame back. Very cold.

Monday December 15th

I went over to John Wess's this morning to inquire after them and John told me that Mrs. McBride was down in bed

now and couldn't get up. It looks pretty tough for him and he is all alone with her, he himself is just able to limp around and do the chores, but he expects Cam. home this after noon. I went over to Jack Martin's for awhile when I got back from John Wess's to ask them about a stove brooder and Chris. told me that he might be able to get one for me from a man in Galt. I went to Simcoe on the one o'clock car and took my sample of milk to Neff and priced the brooders at Boyd's. The size Chris advised me to get cost $33.00. I came home on the 3 o'clock car. To-night Marj. and I went to the Methodist church to hear Capt. Martin give his lecture Jean Valjean. Frank and Lila were there but there was a very small crowd, the lecture was very good. Very cold & windy all day. Below zero to-night.

Tuesday December 16th

It was very cold this morning, below zero and a strong wind and although we were up fairly early it took us some time to thaw out and start to work. Frank went to prime the pump at the windmill this morning but the water froze immediately between the pump rod and the pump lead and as the windmill was in gear it broke the wooden jerk rod. Frank went over to Tupper's after breakfast to help him move some thrashed hay, but they didn't do much at it and Frank came home after dinner. I went down to Sam Law's to thrash this after noon. I didn't do very much as there was only a very little bit and Charlie Quanbury couldn't keep warm at it alone. We finished about four o'clock and then had supper. Sam got about three bags of seed. I went down town to-night.

Wednesday December 17th

Dad. and Frank went down to Preston's this morning and cut one of the trees. They were going back right after dinner but Frank fixed the jerk rod in the windmill first, and then Ham Thompson came after his {illegible}. Karl. Coleman also came and got Kate. Then Pickford and Tom. Butler came over and Pickford bought one of the yearling rams to kill. By the time they left it was too late to cut more wood so they just took the waggon down and hauled home what they cut. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night. Marj. was there and she and Aunty went up to the Girls' Branch and I went to band practice. Neither of our meetings ammounted to much owing to lack of gas so Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's for awhile and then I spent the evening over at the Monteith's with her. I left my horn at Hec. Henderson's but when I went to get it the door was locked. Hasn't been above zero all day but clear & no wind.

Thursday December 18th

Dad. and Frank went down and cut a couple more trees in Preston's orchard this morning. I didn't do much but hang around waiting for Pickford as we expected him over to get one of the yearling rams to kill. He didn't come however. As there was no wind to pump to-day we had to carry all the water for the stock and so we spent most of the after noon doing chores. Frank drove down town to get a lot of Christmas groceries and a box to send Elva one of the pups in. I went down town to-night to see if Marj. intended going home to-morrow. I didn't see her but found that school started again to-day so she won't be able to go till Saturday. School has been closed since Monday as some grater in the furnace had to be replaced and they just came yesterday.

Friday December 19th

Pickford and Tom. Butler came over and got the ram before we had breakfast this morning. The ram weighed 155 lbs and he gave us 8 cts a lb for him. Frank and I drove down town right after breakfast and shipped the pup to Elva by the L.E.& N. express. I stayed down at Aunty's all morning and chopped some wood for them to cook the spiced round. Frank and Dad. went down to Preston's this morning and sawed up some more apple wood and this after noon Frank went over to Tupper's and helped him put in the rest of his thrashed hay, while Dad. and I just did chores. To-night Frank and I went down town and I spent the evening with Marj. She is going home to-morrow. Frank went to the W.I. dance and is staying all night at Aunty's intending to go to Allanburg in the morning to spend Sunday with George. He had a letter from George saying that their office down there had been burned to the ground and Ed. Turner lost every thing he owned. It has been bitterly cold all week but is a little milder to-night.

Saturday December 20th

Dad. and I went down to Preston's this morning and sawed up a little more wood, and this after noon hauled a load home. Aunty was over to tea to-night as it was Tid's birthday. I went down with her and went up town for awhile to get some Christmas cards. Beautiful day but no wind to pump water.

Sunday December 21st

I went down to Sunday school and church but have been home all the after noon. Dad. and Enah went down this after noon to choir practice and Enah stayed down to tea and went with {Name?}

Walker to Hagersville to-night to hear an organ in the Methodist church there. It has been a beautiful day but no wind to pump water and we are at our wit's end to know what to do as we daren't take too much out of the well it is so low and the cistern is nearly empty and we can't pump enough by hand from the well at the windmill as something is wrong with the sucker and only the windmill will pump it. It has been much milder to-day & yesterday but by no means soft.

Monday December 22nd

Dad. spent most of morning drawing water out of the well at the windmill as there has been no wind to pump. I killed my five roosters. Bob Doherty was in this after noon and I promised him 12 of the lambs @ 14 cts a lb. To-night Enah and I went down to the confirmation service at which Lila was confirmed. Frank got home to-night. Mild but rather foggy all day.

Tuesday December 23rd

Frank and I took Dick's box down to the Express office this morning and then bagged up some oats and took them down to the mill. Al. Faulkner came over and got six of his geese and we kept two for our share. I went over to John Wess's this after noon and Frank and Tid got a Christmas tree. We went down to J.F.I.A. to-night but no-one was out.

Wednesday December 24th

Didn't do any thing very important this morning. Frank went down town on his wheel and got some cabbage at Uncle Ward's & took Cousin Loll one of the crate fattened cockrels. McEwen and a freind another McEwen were down this after noon and the other man bought two yearling ewes for $35.00 apiece. George came to-night.

Christmas Day.

We all went down to church this morning, spent most of the after noon doing chores and had dinner over here at night. Huby supplied the turkey. Dad. brought Aunt Ida over in the cart and the rest all walked over. All from Huby's, all from Aunty's and Cousin Clare made with ourselves a party of 15. We had a tree after dinner and every one got loaded with presents. It has been very cold all day, 8° below zero this morning.

Friday December 26th

Dad. hauled the two sleepers out of the big barn this morning and this after noon we cleaned the remains of the driveway floor out of it, so that now we can let the sheep in and drive in if we need to. We all went down to Aunty's to-night and had a fine evening. Much milder. George stayed down all night at Aunty's as he intends leaving in the morning.

Saturday December 27th

Frank and I drove down in the waggon this morning and got some nails & lumber to make sheep crates and feeding racks and we spent most of the after noon making a couple of crates to ship McEwen's yearlings in. I worked all the evening at my show card course and got the first lesson fairly well done. It has been much milder to-day.

Sunday December 28th

Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah walked down to church. Aunty came over with us to dinner. Dad. had to draw up water for the cattle this after-noon as there wasn't wind enough to pump. Frank went skating this after noon and he and Alex England went off for a drive to-night. I spent the evening reading "An Irish Cousin", which Roy & Vernon sent me. Fine and cold.

Monday December 29th

First thing after breakfast this morning Frank & I took our two ewes down and shipped them by the 9.45 express to McEwen at Mt. Pleasant. We had to get some things up town and stopped at Aunty's for awhile so it was nearly noon when we got home. This after noon Frank went down and got a file and then took the cross-cut saw over to John Evans, who showed him how to sharpen it, and he brought it home all honed up in great shape. Dad. went over to see John Wess this after noon. Cam. told him that his mother had been very sick the other night and they were afraid she wouldn't pull through the night but she was a little better to-day. Cam. said he didn't know at all what his father intended to do and didn't like to ask him as he felt so upset. Dad. went down to see them at Aunty's to-night and I worked all evening at my show card course. It has not been so cold to-day and is stormy to-night.

Tuesday December 30th

Dad. decided this morning that as all conditions except the roads being so favorable we had better haul our ice now so Frank and I went down after a load as soon as we could while he cleaned out the ice house. The first load we put off outside as Dad. didn't have the ice house ready and we hauled another before dinner and put it in. Frank hauled three this after noon alone and I chinked them, while Dad. did the chores. It is beautiful ice

clear and solid right through and the cubes just the right size to handle nicely. It is a little harder on the horses hauling it in the waggon especially as the roads are pretty rough it spots but it is nicer to unload. Very mild

Wednesday December 31st

We finished filling the ice house to-day, this being the earliest I think we have ever had it filled. Frank hauled three more loads this morning and we put the load that was outside in this after noon and then Frank wend down and hauled a load of saw-dust to pack it. He also saw old Felix Perkins who said he would be over in a couple of days to fix the pump as it isn't working at all satisfactorily. Frank and I went down town to-night. I thought there might be band practice but as there wasn't I went around to Harry Dyer's and got my hair cut. I was there till about 11 o'clock. Frank went to the W.I. dance and I went up about 11, but only went on the floor once with Dess. I spent the rest of the time with Bub. & Dess in the gallery watching the circus below which was just as much fun and far safer. I went home with the girls about one o'clock and then came on home, thus ushering in the year 1920.